Is it safe to use a male-to-male extension cord to power a Scamp from a Jackery? - Fiberglass RV
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Old 04-28-2024, 02:56 PM   #1
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Is it safe to use a male-to-male extension cord to power a Scamp from a Jackery?

I am interested in using a Jackery (Li battery with built in 110 volt inverter) to power a Scamp 13 for occasional modest loads. This can be very convenient. I have both a Jackery 240 (240 Watt inverter) and also a Jackery 1000. Specifically, I am thinking about using a male-to-male 110 V cord, with one end plugged into the Jackery 110 V output and the other end plugged into one of the interior 110 V outlets inside the Scamp. (That sort of cord is sometimes referred to as a "widow maker".) I wonder if it might be reasonable safe in this instance because of the small size of the Jackery? Any experts on this sort of thing? What is the nature of the risk here?
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Old 04-28-2024, 11:14 PM   #2
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suicide cord

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Originally Posted by zack sc View Post
I am interested in using a Jackery (Li battery with built in 110 volt inverter) to power a Scamp 13 for occasional modest loads. This can be very convenient. I have both a Jackery 240 (240 Watt inverter) and also a Jackery 1000. Specifically, I am thinking about using a male-to-male 110 V cord, with one end plugged into the Jackery 110 V output and the other end plugged into one of the interior 110 V outlets inside the Scamp. (That sort of cord is sometimes referred to as a "widow maker".) I wonder if it might be reasonable safe in this instance because of the small size of the Jackery? Any experts on this sort of thing? What is the nature of the risk here?
No.
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Old 04-29-2024, 04:14 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by zack sc View Post
I am interested in using a Jackery (Li battery with built in 110 volt inverter) to power a Scamp 13 for occasional modest loads. This can be very convenient. I have both a Jackery 240 (240 Watt inverter) and also a Jackery 1000. Specifically, I am thinking about using a male-to-male 110 V cord, with one end plugged into the Jackery 110 V output and the other end plugged into one of the interior 110 V outlets inside the Scamp. (That sort of cord is sometimes referred to as a "widow maker".) I wonder if it might be reasonable safe in this instance because of the small size of the Jackery? Any experts on this sort of thing? What is the nature of the risk here?
The nature of the risk is that the cord could inadvertently get yanked out of the trailers receptacle with exposed live prongs. Contact with them could result in the least case a shock and in the worst case electrocution. The safest way to do what you propose is to use a 15 amp adapter on your shore power cord and plug it into the Jackery. If you are going to use an absorption refrigerator on propane, it likely is going to need 12 vdc to power its control board(s) so the converter will need to be powered which would be accomplished by using the trailer’s shore power cord.
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Old 04-29-2024, 05:08 AM   #4
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Not safe.
The male end of the widow-maker that is not plugged in to the power supply will be live and exposed when the other end is connected. It doesn't twist-lock to prevent accidentally being pulled out of the wall 'outlet' being used as an 'inlet'.
Not safe.
Any item plugged into the other half of a typical duplex outlet will not be fuse protected except by the jackery's limit.
Not practical.
Any other items plugged into any other outlet in the camper will be limited by the 'inlet' outlet's fuse, by the fuse of the outlet being used, or the jackery, which ever is lowest.
Get a 15amp male to 30 amp female adapter from the camping section for not much more than a 15 amp male plug to splice onto your existing extension cord, presuming you'll repurpose one you already own.
The adapter would be cheaper than a male plug plus purchasing a new dedicated extension cord if that was your intent.
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Old 04-29-2024, 05:55 AM   #5
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Old 04-29-2024, 06:55 AM   #6
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Another reason it is not safe is if you have a permanently attached 30 amp power cord, the male plug will be live.
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Old 04-29-2024, 07:00 AM   #7
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That's a great point, especially if something metal is near the plug end.
Thanks
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Old 04-29-2024, 10:24 AM   #8
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If you inadvertently plug into shore power without first disconnecting your new system, the "magic smoke" will come out of your Jackery. Don't ask how I know.
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Old 04-29-2024, 08:19 PM   #9
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I see. Thanks very much everyone. Instead I can just plug the converter directly into the jackery. Or just use the shore power plug with an adapter to plug into a jackery.
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Old 04-30-2024, 06:04 AM   #10
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I see. Thanks very much everyone.
Instead I can just plug the converter directly into the jackery.
NO! Don't! Re-read posts #6 and #8.
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Or just use the shore power plug with an adapter to plug into a jackery.
Just because the camper plug is outside doesn't mean the jackery has to also be out and exposed to the elements and covetous eyes.
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Old 05-04-2024, 10:06 AM   #11
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There is a reason that these are called suicide cords...
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Old 05-04-2024, 02:31 PM   #12
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Could one not install a marine male

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And wire in the other end where the camper cord goes into the breaker panel . This way the you can mount it inside the camper no wire worries and no weather delays .
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Old 05-04-2024, 06:17 PM   #13
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Could one not install a marine male

And wire in the other end where the camper cord goes into the breaker panel . This way the you can mount it inside the camper no wire worries and no weather delays .
Unless I misunderstand, it would seem to me that this solution of wiring it into the breaker panel where the camper cord (shore power cord) would still result in the prongs of the shore power cord being energized and therefore dangerous.
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Old 05-05-2024, 12:59 AM   #14
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Why not just bring the Jackery into the trailer and plug an appliance into it, or run an extension cord from the Jackery into the trailer and use that?

Plugging the trailer shore power. into the Jackery will result in the Jackery charging the trailer batteries and running any and all loads in the trailer. This will probably use up its capacity fairly quickly.

Wouldn't you be better off with a solar system and an inverter?
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Old 05-05-2024, 08:35 AM   #15
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I’d update your will before trying this. Seriously, don’t do it.
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Old 05-05-2024, 09:16 AM   #16
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Why hasn't anyone mentioned installing a Marine Style male plug-in for the shore power. I've been using them for 50 years. First on my several yachts over the years, and also on my travel trailers. (They work the same on both.) That allows a shore power cord connection, which doesn't have live exposed contacts on the trailer plug, (as in a "hot" male plug with exposed energized terminals on the plug.)

And it also gets rid of the "ant trail" road up your shore power cord to invade your trailer.

Also got rid of the imbecilic little shore power door and replaced it with one that actually gives you access behind the converter for real additional storage.

https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-ParkP...000NUYZQC?th=1

https://rvpartshop.com/products/jr-p...ch-p-w-ze102-a
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Old 05-05-2024, 10:37 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Casita Greg View Post
Why hasn't anyone mentioned installing a Marine Style male plug-in for the shore power. I've been using them for 50 years. First on my several yachts over the years, and also on my travel trailers. (They work the same on both.) That allows a shore power cord connection, which doesn't have live exposed contacts on the trailer plug, (as in a "hot" male plug with exposed energized terminals on the plug.)

And it also gets rid of the "ant trail" road up your shore power cord to invade your trailer.

Also got rid of the imbecilic little shore power door and replaced it with one that actually gives you access behind the converter for real additional storage.

https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-ParkP...000NUYZQC?th=1

https://rvpartshop.com/products/jr-p...ch-p-w-ze102-a
Installing a "Marine Style" inlet doesn't solve the problem of powering the trailer from the inside with a Jackery or other independent power supply. While behind a door, the outside inlet will still have male connector blades that will be "hot" if there is another power source. The inside inlet will have "hot" blades when the trailer is powered by the normal 30 amp connection.

Accidentally plugging in both connections at the same time will be very bad for the Jackery!

Of course you could run the power cord through the door and plug it into the Jackery, but that would work with the permanently attached power cord and be a bit inconvenient.

A switch, either manual or automatic, that transfers the input to the trailer distribution center between the normal 30 amp power connection or a inside mounted inlet is the only safe solution.
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Old 05-05-2024, 12:14 PM   #18
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Doesn't sound like this Jackery thing would be something I woud want. Really don't know anything about them, but if it requires a "male to male" cord, it sounds like trouble waiting to happen. I know I don't need something that potentially dangerous anyway...
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Old 05-05-2024, 12:53 PM   #19
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Jackery's*are safe

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Originally Posted by Casita Greg View Post
Doesn't sound like this Jackery thing would be something I woud want. Really don't know anything about them, but if it requires a "male to male" cord, it sounds like trouble waiting to happen. I know I don't need something that potentially dangerous anyway...
It is the miss-use of electricity that is unsafe, (*and the many other brands as well)
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Old 05-06-2024, 07:30 AM   #20
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It is the miss-use of electricity that is unsafe, (*and the many other brands as well)
Yeah, and to think that I was an electrician for most of my life. Silly me!
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