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

[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

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[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.
--------------------------------------
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.

The information provided in this post is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute any endorsement or recommendation. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of any information found in this post. It is your responsibility to verify and investigate this information.

 

[Moleculefinder]

Thanks again y’all- its 3 x 1500W outdoor infrared heater- the manufacturer advises:

”Heat Storm heaters are
designed to plug directly into a grounded 110-volt
15 amp or higher circuit receptacle (outlet).
However, if you have to use an extension cord,
the cord should be No. 14 AWG minimum size
and rated not less than 1875 watts. The extension cord should be a 3-wire cord with a grounding type cord and plug connector.“

please tell me if this is dumb/inadvisable with the gear y’all recommended. ty all again

 

[chriserx]

Thanks again y’all- its 3 x 1500W outdoor infrared heater- the manufacturer advises:

”Heat Storm heaters are
designed to plug directly into a grounded 110-volt
15 amp or higher circuit receptacle (outlet).
However, if you have to use an extension cord,
the cord should be No. 14 AWG minimum size
and rated not less than 1875 watts. The extension cord should be a 3-wire cord with a grounding type cord and plug connector.“

please tell me if this is dumb/inadvisable with the gear y’all recommended. ty all again

This sorta brings up the point I was trying to make, no 14 awg cord *should* be rated 1875w but at the same time, heaters are kinda dumb and it *shouldn't* matter, especially if the cords are outside in the cold. That being said, I haven't seen how far you are trying to get. The length matters a great deal in what AWG you should get. What also matters is do you want to plug into the 240 and split into 110s, if so, where? Referencing a wire size calculator will give you what you're looking for fast or you can write back with specifics but it's slower. The cord I referenced originally is pretty much perfect if you're running from the 110v, I've used it to run ACs from the generator for months when hurricanes took out my power for 3 months, charging the truck before I had a 240v, running an inverter welder, etc. It's been outside in the elements since basically the day I bought it.

Edit: Definitely DO NOT use a 16/3 of ANY length to power the heater. Up to 25 ft a quality 14 gauge is *probably* fine. Anything longer and you want 12 gauge, if not 10.

 

[chl]

UPDATE: I bought one of these and tested it out - it does indeed provide 120v on each pair of outlets from each of the two legs of the 240v outlet respectively. Some other brands of these types of cords only connect to one leg of the 240v outlet.

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

 

[chriserx]

UPDATE: I bought one of these and tested it out - it does indeed provide 120v on each pair of outlets from each of the two legs of the 240v outlet respectively. Some other brands of these types of cords only connect to one leg of the 240v outlet.

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

I mean even if it didn't it's still 4800w although the inverter likely wouldn't like it, I don't know how it was built but most are happy if the legs are balanced.

Edit: I just remembered it's 30A so its only 3600w

 

[Moleculefinder]

This sorta brings up the point I was trying to make, no 14 awg cord *should* be rated 1875w but at the same time, heaters are kinda dumb and it *shouldn't* matter, especially if the cords are outside in the cold. That being said, I haven't seen how far you are trying to get. The length matters a great deal in what AWG you should get. What also matters is do you want to plug into the 240 and split into 110s, if so, where? Referencing a wire size calculator will give you what you're looking for fast or you can write back with specifics but it's slower. The cord I referenced originally is pretty much perfect if you're running from the 110v, I've used it to run ACs from the generator for months when hurricanes took out my power for 3 months, charging the truck before I had a 240v, running an inverter welder, etc. It's been outside in the elements since basically the day I bought it.

Edit: Definitely DO NOT use a 16/3 of ANY length to power the heater. Up to 25 ft a quality 14 gauge is *probably* fine. Anything longer and you want 12 gauge, if not 10.

We’re trying to get 60’, we do have the 240v pro power in the bed (‘23 lariat). Happy to use the 240 if There’s A solution that can make it the 60’, if not we’ll deal with have a ton of cords

 

[chriserx]

We’re trying to get 60’, we do have the 240v pro power in the bed (‘23 lariat). Happy to use the 240 if There’s A solution that can make it the 60’, if not we’ll deal with have a ton of cords

My best commendation is a single 75ft 240v/30A (check for the right plug since I don't have one) get a 120v splitter like chi referenced, make sure it can handle a minimum of 4500w and use a minimum of 14 awg up to 25 ft for placement extensions. 12 is still ideal here since you should still be factoring in the 75ft extension.

 

[RickLightning]

Costco used to sell a pair of 50 foot 12 gauge cords in-store for $39. I bought several.

 

[K6CCC]

UPDATE: I bought one of these and tested it out - it does indeed provide 120v on each pair of outlets from each of the two legs of the 240v outlet respectively. Some other brands of these types of cords only connect to one leg of the 240v outlet.

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

Thanks for testing that. I see they also have a 25 foot version.

 

[chl]

Thanks for testing that. I see they also have a 25 foot version.

No problem, and well I thought "I could use that!"

Yes, if you don't already have a 30A generator cable and it's long enough maybe the 25ft one would be a good fit.

I have a 40ft 30A generator cable I have used with my gasoline powered generator before getting the Lightning laying around so now it has a mate - a lot less cable than running four 120v cables from a generator should I ever need it!

I have my house set up with a GENERAC 6853 transfer switch and a 100ft 30A cable to connect to the truck if we ever have a need - so far no outages.

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