What’s the 411 on power at a tent site?

[WalkingintheFog]

I get the feeling that many of you here are knowledgable on electrical needs and I hope ye will weigh in on power cords I’ll need based on my needs & my November tenting setup in loop 1500 or 2000 (2-3 wks!)

I vaguely think there’s 3 outlets on the power post & that it may usually be at front left side of the sand pad (looking out of site).

I have just a rudimentary understanding of power knowing 12/3 can carry a heavier load than 14/3 which can carry a heavier load than 16/3 gauge. … and the length of cord can diminish its safety/effectiveness depending on the power draws.

All I have now are an assortment of 16/3, so I know I need to buy a few for this and 2 more upcoming Fort trips & would just as soon purchase those heavy suckers in FLA rather than here in NL & bring down now as checked baggage!

Wilderness Princess’s site shows largest sites in loops 1500/2000 as 13’x36’. My buddy Pythagoras tells me ~39’ is likely the absolute longest cord needed (if I need power at the diagonally opposite spot from the power box).

My power needs will be as follows:

OUTSIDE:

• prob a string of outdoor Christmas type lights
• Golf cart (onsite rental) for first several days. (I’m assuming Brother Disney provides a cord?)

CHOWHOUSE (i.e. dining tent):

• Always running: mini fridge.
• Whenever occupied: any combo of fan, single lamp/light string, and even recharging rechargeables.
• Just at meal times: any combo of Airfryer, small electric skillet (& possibly a kettle tho’ I anticipate using mini isopropane stove for tea and toast)
• Mornings: hairdryer maybe. Heater maybe if chilly.

BUNKHOUSEI.e. tent or car)

• Whenever occupied: any combo of fan, single lamp/light string, and even recharging rechargeables… tho the fan & lights just might all be USB powered instead
• Pre-“abed & arising”: if chilly, then potentially brief period of a small portable heater with safety auto-off.

Comments? (Please and TIA!)

 

[bama_ed]

Photo of the interior of the new power pedestal we encountered in 1500 loop (Tent) in January 2024.





I think there is generally a plug out by the road for charging golf carts (although not sure since we don't rent a cart but it's usually there). So 2 AC outlets in the pedestal and 2 more out by the road.

Extension cords and power strips can be used just remember to rain-protect any connection or strip (I wrap mine in the plastic grocery bags and tape with no problem).

Bama Ed

PS - the golf cart cord is built into the body of the cart (so it can't be stolen as what happens with exterior cords) under the rear-facing back seat (of a 4-seater). It extends out and then rolls up by a spring when not charging.

 

[jbrostek]

I would also suggest spend about 20 bucks on a TT30 to 5-20 breakout cable. That way you can leverage the 30A circuit for your mini frige and other needs in addition to the 20A GFI outlet.

Something like this would work..... https://a.co/d/32qPjDL

 

[amcc]

Photo of the interior of the new power pedestal we encountered in 1500 loop (Tent) in January 2024.





I think there is generally a plug out by the road for charging golf carts (although not sure since we don't rent a cart but it's usually there). So 2 AC outlets in the pedestal and 2 more out by the road.

Extension cords and power strips can be used just remember to rain-protect any connection or strip (I wrap mine in the plastic grocery bags and tape with no problem).

Bama Ed

PS - the golf cart cord is built into the body of the cart (so it can't be stolen as what happens with exterior cords) under the rear-facing back seat (of a 4-seater). It extends out and then rolls up by a spring when not charging.

Not all the sites have the charger for the golf cart by the road unfortunately. My 1500/2000 have been hit or miss but my husband thinks all the higher end sites have them.

I don't know anything about electricity but I can tell you that we have a fridge always plugged in but we often blow the fuse if we have our A/C on while we use a griddle or an air fryer so keep it in mind during meal times if you are going to use multiple appliances (and the hair dryer).

 

[WalkingintheFog]

I ordered this one from Amazon Canada…: $29 cad, so about $22 usd.

Great start.

 

[bama_ed]

I ordered this one from Amazon Canada…: $29 cad, so about $22 usd.

Great start.

Interesting. There is also a 50amp version to 4-110v outlets for people like me who use the 30amp plug socket at the site but not the 50amp one. It's a few dollars more (as I would expect) but that might be nice-to-have for me as well.

Thanks for the solution, folks.

ED

 

[jbrostek]

Glad it was all helpful. Using what the post has to offer is a good thing. I think I would rahter use a 50 to 30 dogbone for the A frame, and then the 30 adaptor for rest. the idea of 50A to 15A unless it has a breaker on its own would scare me a bit.

 

[bama_ed]

the idea of 50A to 15A unless it has a breaker on its own would scare me a bit.

the one i ordered has the circuit breaker, james. good point.

ED

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Not all the sites have the charger for the golf cart by the road unfortunately. My 1500/2000 have been hit or miss but my husband thinks all the higher end sites have them.

I don't know anything about electricity but I can tell you that we have a fridge always plugged in but we often blow the fuse if we have our A/C on while we use a griddle or an air fryer so keep it in mind during meal times if you are going to use multiple appliances (and the hair dryer).

My site in 2000 loop did not have an outlet by the road, so the golf cart had to be plugged in at the one pedestal.
…… It would not surprise me if most/all sites in1500/2000 loops do NOT have the extra power source intended for golf carts…..Disney has prob concluded not needed as tent campers & smaller trailers typically don’t have as high a power consumption as the rigs that usu. occupy the other loops!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

I ultimately used, as @jbrostek suggested, a TT30 to 5-20 breakout cable with 2 10ft exterior extension cords (1 for fridge & fan. The other for cooking appliances & night lamp— I only used 1 appliance at a time (airfryer or skillet or hair dryer)
And I had a 25’ 14/3 exterior extension cord that went into the tent for the occasional use of heater (only needed to use it on occasion AFTER NOV 15… that’s when them temps started to dip)

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Hope this short thread helps!

Remember! if your cord is warm/hot, that’s probably a sign you likely need a heavier duty cord (could be signs of other things as else, including an issue with the ext cord or whatever you’re powering!

Look at your various watt/amp needs for various parts of your site & do your research!
The best cord for your needs might seem pricy, but better than an electrical fire ending your trip!