Extension cord plug-in

[Moonmanvt]

Since our 2001 RT200P will not be used for a couple of months this winter, I wanted to keep it plugged in for the sake of the batteries. I wired a 30A box outside the workshop, with a 30A GFCI in the breaker panel. The problem is I didn't want the cord from the RT to become frozen in the snow cover, having to chop it out in late winter, or let the snowblower eat it for breakfast some morning. So I suspended it between a 7 foot pole and the eave of the workshop. The problem is having such a large cord swaying overhead in the wind. Can I use a smaller cord, say 12 guage,(15 foot distance) to charge the batteries through the winter? If I could, I could run the cord under a routed 2X6 and everybody would be happy. Any thoughts?

[booster]

At that distance and load, 12 ga is more than big enough. Charging the batteries is going to be less than 3 amps if they are full, and never near the capacity of the cord.

[Photog]

Are you going to be running any type of electric heater in the van, while it is parked?

[g1g]

12 gauge is fine. even after running a battery charger you should have about 2000w to spare. I have a 14 gauge wire (overkill) running a batteryminder 24/7