# Plug connector overheating

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/plug-connector-overheating/29914>\
**Category:** Battery & Chargers\
**Created:** [November 21, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/plug-connector-overheating/29914 "2025-11-21T23:57:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Msarkozy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@Msarkozy](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Msarkozy)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/plug-connector-overheating/29914/1 "2025-11-21T23:57:22Z")

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Hi, very new here. I inherited my parents 2001 gem cart and all has been pretty good until recently. Over the past month, when I plug in the cart to charge, the extension cord got a bit warm or maybe even hot. Yesterday, I was charging it and it stopped charging quickly and I noticed that the extension cord plug had melted a bit and one of the three prongs on the cart was very loose (almost to the point where if I tried I could remove it like a loose tooth :)). I have not charged it since and thinking I need to replace the assembly on the cart with the three prongs. Any suggestions or experience with this?

Thanks very much,

Mark

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**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/plug-connector-overheating/29914/2 "2025-11-22T00:39:53Z")

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Have you changed that power cord recently?  
Even if \>no\< then connections wear out, get dirty/corrode.

A warm cord says it may have been too small of a cord. 16ga min, better if 12g. Keep it as short as possible.

Melted plug says it was a bad connection either in the cord, or the socket it was plugged into.

Best is to replace both.

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**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2025, 11:26am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/plug-connector-overheating/29914/3 "2025-11-23T11:26:13Z")

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If you need to replace the plug on the GEM, they used MARINCO marine sockets:  
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI38MG/](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI38MG/)

Might not be a bad idea to consider replacing the cable going from the socket into the charger too. It’s a heavy duty IEC “computer power cord” - just cut the male NEMA 5-15 (“Edison”) end off and strip it back to screw the wires into the terminals on the MARINCO plug.

> **[Amazon.com: Eaton Tripp Lite series 15 Amp Standard 3ft Computer Power Cord for...](https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Computer-IEC-320-C13-P007-003/dp/B00JT0DG94)**
>
> Use Tripp Lite's P007-003 in server applications that require a higher rated, heavier gauge cable. C13 to 5-15P connectors, 3 x 14 AWG conductors, 15A / 125V rating.