Recommendations needed for 110v extension cord for outdoor use to run off truck (can’t find existing thread)

[Moleculefinder]

Do you have an extension cord you like and use for outdoor purposes? Need something longer than 30’ and can’t find references or threads endorsing any. I realize “any” extension cord might work, but have to support an event soon and don’t have time to test and return multiple.

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[chriserx]

Do you have an extension cord you like and use for outdoor purposes? Need something longer than 30’ and can’t find references or threads endorsing any. I realize “any” extension cord might work, but have to support an event soon and don’t have time to test and return multiple.

I use a husky (Home Depot) 12/3 100', the only time it's failed me in 15 years was when it didn't get out the way of my lawnmower. Even then I replaced the outlet with a waterproof plug and now I have a 98' extension cord.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I have two 50-foot Southwire Yellow Jacket 10/3 20A outdoor extension cords. They work fantastically with the 20A outlets in the truck.

A note you may not need but may be useful for someone else: Don’t leave a long extension cord rolled up in any way if you’re going to be using it for any length of time. It will suffer heat damage.

https://www.southwire.com/power-man...d-power-light-indicator-receptacle/p/26188802

 

[Runaway Tractor]

There's nothing to test and return. Extension cords don't care whether they're plugged into a house or truck or the space station. You can go to any box store and buy any outdoor extension cord you'd like.

 

[evowner]

There's nothing to test and return. Extension cords don't care whether they're plugged into a house or truck or the space station. You can go to any box store and buy any outdoor extension cord you'd like.

This is not quite true. I would not go and buy a 16 gauge yardwork type cord. It would not last long and may be dangerous.
I would, like as mentioned before, get a 10 gauge cord. If possible plug it into a 20 amp outlet. You will have no voltage drop or other problems.

 

[hturnerfamily]

the OP gives NO information about 'what' the need is for, the expected highest amperage, or anything other than 'outdoors'...

any outdoor extension cord will work


there's no way for any of us to know what the amperage needs are, so, yes, 'any' extension cord will work, if all you need is 'power'... that fact has nothing to do with whether it comes from the truck, or anywhere else.

I've never heard of a need to "test and return multiple"

 

[MaintGrl]

Buy a name brand, and 12/3 -50' would be the minimum...10/3 -100'
and you can''t go wrong....
Much of it depends on the potential "Load"

 

[jwrezz]

I use a husky (Home Depot) 12/3 100', the only time it's failed me in 15 years was when it didn't get out the way of my lawnmower. Even then I replaced the outlet with a waterproof plug and now I have a 98' extension cord.

Same thing with mine! Only it was hedge trimmers! Now I got a battery powered hedge trimmer so I can't f up my cord unless I really try hard!

 

[K6CCC]

I have an assorted collections of extension cords in various wire size and length. Most of the decision on what to use depends on current and needed length. I keep a 14 AWG 50 foot cable in the truck all the time which is plenty for most uses. When I went out for my Peak to Peak bike ride that I support, I grabbed a 12 AWG 100 foot cord that lives on a reel. Did end up using that a couple times.

 

[Zekester]

Find that 2 x 25 footers serves me better than one 50 footer. I like the cords that indicate they are powered at the socket end. McMaster-Carr, Uline and Granger are good resources. You ight also consider cord reals.

 

[jwrezz]

Find that 2 x 25 footers serves me better than one 50 footer. I like the cords that indicate they are powered at the socket end. McMaster-Carr, Uline and Granger are good resources. You ight also consider cord reals.

Lighted end is a must have for those long cords! Reels too!

 

[chl]

OP needs to "support an event" so...I'd assume something that will handle 20A without a significant voltage drop...he didn't say how long either...

So lets say 100Ft 20A so 10/3 rated for outdoor use. If you want to have a super cord:

Look for heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords like STW designed to resist weather, sun, and temperature changes. ( S means it is a Severe Service cord, T indicates a Thermoplastic (PVC) construction, and W stands for Weather-resistant for outdoor use. )

A 20A cord will have a 20A plug that will fit the Lightning 20A outlets, but it won't fit a 15A outlet, the female receptacle end will take 15A or 20A plugs though:

For example from Home Depot or Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-Extension-5-20P-Female-Adapter/dp/B08LVQ6XTN/ref=sr_1_17?crid=1GYZ7UQ5BLLVI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OFFqisBKD3qhwcoKrTtwcex9kvwhh1vUq7AyTqhjMBrOwuGgjiMM3Cvh72-e1dWZnkzFSS9Gk_txUhEgN8KRv9pQRWxvZ-f588aHszy5_R1NQRsGCtY0Adu-RHJHpPCa_6Si_wt_CO9WdUGe5JNGi4LiNbS-E5ySiyayhDcgrqvyPufuhhO2Rek0jNAKCD2BbNBkxk1-Vk6Au8kZXv7OQ1JoGL479kcKH5_F91k9onW8UwGYi2opFSZBrRap0afpewMf-AW6vzLOg-lad6aUuTJxrXJr-vgy_SKZy12CPZw.lVHzTKUV4xKxO2ohFUwmZd90qXTPlamA9vfTuhtmumQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=100ft+10/3+20A+extension+cord&qid=1763175534&sprefix=100ft+10/3+20a+extension+cord,aps,242&sr=8-17&th=1

 

[Moleculefinder]

Thanks y’all, recommendations extremely appreciated.

Chl you have it right, and apologies for not giving more details. I should have said we’re running an event off the truck with no local power.

Need to simultaneously run for 4 hours:

-3 large electric infrared heaters (don’t have them yet so no load details)
-6 small 120v devices

Am numbskull with things electrical, so all guidance extremely appreciated.

OP needs to "support an event" so...I'd assume something that will handle 20A without a significant voltage drop...he didn't say how long either...

So lets say 100Ft 20A so 10/3 rated for outdoor use. If you want to have a super cord:

Look for heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords like STW designed to resist weather, sun, and temperature changes. ( S means it is a Severe Service cord, T indicates a Thermoplastic (PVC) construction, and W stands for Weather-resistant for outdoor use. )

A 20A cord will have a 20A plug that will fit the Lightning 20A outlets, but it won't fit a 15A outlet, the female receptacle end will take 15A or 20A plugs though:

For example from Home Depot or Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-Extension-5-20P-Female-Adapter/dp/B08LVQ6XTN/ref=sr_1_17?crid=1GYZ7UQ5BLLVI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OFFqisBKD3qhwcoKrTtwcex9kvwhh1vUq7AyTqhjMBrOwuGgjiMM3Cvh72-e1dWZnkzFSS9Gk_txUhEgN8KRv9pQRWxvZ-f588aHszy5_R1NQRsGCtY0Adu-RHJHpPCa_6Si_wt_CO9WdUGe5JNGi4LiNbS-E5ySiyayhDcgrqvyPufuhhO2Rek0jNAKCD2BbNBkxk1-Vk6Au8kZXv7OQ1JoGL479kcKH5_F91k9onW8UwGYi2opFSZBrRap0afpewMf-AW6vzLOg-lad6aUuTJxrXJr-vgy_SKZy12CPZw.lVHzTKUV4xKxO2ohFUwmZd90qXTPlamA9vfTuhtmumQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=100ft+10/3+20A+extension+cord&qid=1763175534&sprefix=100ft+10/3+20a+extension+cord,aps,242&sr=8-17&th=1

 

[chriserx]

Thanks y’all, recommendations extremely appreciated.

Chl you have it right, and apologies for not giving more details. I should have said we’re running an event off the truck with no local power.

Need to run:

-3 large electric infrared heaters (don’t have them yet so no load details)
-6 small 120v devices

Am numbskull with things electrical, so all guidance extremely appreciated.

Heaters are almost certainly 1000+ watts so you are definitely going to need multiple cords, they're also kinda dumb so you don't *have* to use a heavy gauge cord but I'd still recommend it, you will also be needing the 9.6?kw pro power, at the draw rate I expect that you'll be using you'll lose at least 3% battery an hour, something to keep in mind if you have a long drive back. Under no circumstances attempt to use more than 1 heater on a cord. Depending on what those 6 small devices are you *may* be able to share a heater cord with it.

Edit: BTW, when I said 1 heater per cord, I was referring to a 120v cord although it's prolly best practice to not have 3 heaters running on the 240v either

 

[chl]

Heaters are almost certainly 1000+ watts so you are definitely going to need multiple cords, they're also kinda dumb so you don't *have* to use a heavy gauge cord but I'd still recommend it, you will also be needing the 9.6?kw pro power, at the draw rate I expect that you'll be using you'll lose at least 3% battery an hour, something to keep in mind if you have a long drive back. Under no circumstances attempt to use more than 1 heater on a cord. Depending on what those 6 small devices are you *may* be able to share a heater cord with it.

Ditto.

If you have the 240V 30A outlet in your truck bed (the 9.6kW option of Pro Power On Board - 7.2kW from 240V outlet and 2.4kW from 120v outlets), you could try one of these - one reviewer used it with a Ford F-150 Powerboost (the ICE version of what we have in out bed):

" Customers find the power cord to be well-made and durable, with one mentioning it splits into 4 110v plugs. The cord works well with Ford F-150 pro power onboard, and one customer reports it performed flawlessly powering multiple items simultaneously. They appreciate its versatility, with one noting it adds 4 more 115 vac outlets, and consider it good value for money. "

" Works Great With The Ford Powerboost
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2024
Color: 1.5 FT breakerVerified Purchase
This review is for Yodotek 1.5Ft Generator Cord with Surge Protector Breaker,Heavy Duty Generator Locking Cord,NEMA L14-30P/Four 5-20R,4 Prong 10 Gauge Flexible Cable,Power Extension Cord, 30Amp 7500 Watts. I like that they had a short version of this product since I already have a long enough generator cord. This short cord splits the 125v outlets between the two legs of the 240v outlet on the truck. So one side of the 125v outlets will be leg a and the other outlets will be on leg b. If your like me and don't want 4 separate long cords coming off the truck and would rather have one long 240v cord and plug this into it, save yourself the tripping hazards and get this or the other chainable pdu I bought. Then you could plug this into the 240v outlet and have 8 125v outlets."


https://www.amazon.com/Yodotek-Gene...erator+split+phase+adapter,aps,89&sr=8-9&th=1


You'll also need a 240V 30A generator extension cord to use with this splitter.
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NOTE: I have not used this item so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the review.

Disclaimer

I am an electrical engineer but not a licensed electrician.

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