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Old 02-03-2016, 04:52 PM   #1
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30 amp extension cord for generator

Taking a 3 week trip in June from Alabama to Yellowstone and back, bought a generator to mount behind cab in truck bed in case we have to freestyle in a parking lot etc. Wondering if I buy a regular 25 foot RV 30 amp power cord like the one my unit came with and plug them together if it will work ok to run the generator. I really only need about 10 feet of it but CW just has the standard 25 footer. I've had problems with my air compressor not working unless it was plugged into wall since the regular ext. cords I have don't have the specs of the cord coming out of the compressor, so I'm concerned with a similar issue causing the AC or anything else I run in the trailer not working because of power loss with the daisy chained cables. Any experience / ideas on this? The guy at CW says no problem but I'm still not convinced and don't want to buy it if it's not going to work. Thanks.
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:04 PM   #2
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As far as the length of the cables you should be fine. I'm assuming that it's #10 awg wire.

My question would be what size generator do you have? Hopefully it's not a single 2000 watt model. You'll need more than that to run the A/C.
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:10 PM   #3
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Not sure on the gauge but they would both be the standard RV size for a 30 amp, and I'm only going about 35 feet-ish. Figured with them matching it would be fine but I tend to err on the side of paranoid. I'm good on the generator, 3500 / 4000 watt. Thanks for input. Happy travels!
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:11 PM   #4
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I have run my travel trailer electrical off my generator using two 25 feet RV 30 amps extension cords with no issues....but if you want a 10 foot extension cord you can get it at amazon....

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Old 02-03-2016, 05:14 PM   #5
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Yes, need Info on Type and output of Gen! Most Quiet Gens that are Large enough to Run 1AC have a 30A Outlet built in! Youroo!!
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Old 02-03-2016, 05:35 PM   #6
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Thanks for feedback

Quote:
Originally Posted by fonzie View Post
I have run my travel trailer electrical off my generator using two 25 feet RV 30 amps extension cords with no issues....but if you want a 10 foot extension cord you can get it at amazon....

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I saw the 10 footer on Amazon but I can get the 25 for $32 with a coupon so it made sense to just get the longer one. Thanks.
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Old 02-03-2016, 10:47 PM   #7
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Make sure to check the gage of the wire in the extension cord you are going to use. 12ga. would be a minimum. I got a 10 ga, on line, you can also check Haber Frieght or WallMart
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Old 02-03-2016, 11:03 PM   #8
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Op, i would make sure you wire the plug to only have one leg hot. Some 4 prong genny plugs have 2 hot legs.


Quote:
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Make sure to check the gage of the wire in the extension cord you are going to use. 12ga. would be a minimum. I got a 10 ga, on line, you can also check Haber Frieght or WallMart
12 guage is only rated for 20 amps, 120v a/c
10 guage is rated for 30 amps, 120v a/c
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Old 02-04-2016, 02:25 PM   #9
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Also, make sure you buy an extension cord, not a duplicate of the original power cord as the plug ends won't match up!

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Old 02-04-2016, 02:54 PM   #10
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You might get some 10-3 heavy rubber cord and plug/receptacle ends and make yourself. Home Depot
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Old 02-05-2016, 08:45 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harkerr View Post
You might get some 10-3 heavy rubber cord and plug/receptacle ends and make yourself. Home Depot
Or if you have an electrician as a friend,,, maybe for a couple 6 packs,,, he would make you a 10 footer ???
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Old 02-05-2016, 08:53 AM   #12
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30 amp extension cord for generator

Quote:
Originally Posted by MillerTime View Post
Op, i would make sure you wire the plug to only have one leg hot. Some 4 prong genny plugs have 2 hot legs.




12 guage is only rated for 20 amps, 120v a/c
10 guage is rated for 30 amps, 120v a/c

The four prong unit I think you suggest are 220v/ 110v with a floating neutral.


Op what does your generator have for outlets?
And which one are you going to use?


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Old 02-05-2016, 09:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS View Post
The four prong unit I think you suggest are 220v/ 110v with a floating neutral.


Op what does your generator have for outlets?
And which one are you going to use?


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Something like that. I know my household type genny has a 240v -30 amp 4 prong twist lock plugin that is probably the most common I've seen around here and has easy to find cords. I have it wired to a plug that goes into my transfer switch for my house.

Heres a pic of the basic layout im referring too. (My genny doesn't have the 3 prong 30 amp that is shown in the pic)
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MillerTime View Post
Something like that. I know my household type genny has a 240v -30 amp 4 prong twist lock plugin that is probably the most common I've seen around here and has easy to find cords. I have it wired to a plug that goes into my transfer switch for my house.

Heres a pic of the basic layout im referring too. (My genny doesn't have the 3 prong 30 amp that is shown in the pic)

Keep in mind that the 4 prong outlet is rated and probably listed at 30 amp but that's only on the 240v side, if you plug in a 120v appliance or to your 30 amp 120v camper it'll only put out 15 amps.
Kind of deceiving when buying a generator as a lot of companies list it as use for Rv.


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Old 02-05-2016, 10:28 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS View Post
Keep in mind that the 4 prong outlet is rated and probably listed at 30 amp but that's only on the 240v side, if you plug in a 120v appliance or to your 30 amp 120v camper it'll only put out 15 amps.
Kind of deceiving when buying a generator as a lot of companies list it as use for Rv.


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Yep.
I only use it around the farm, and a couple of times when the power was out at the house, to run the fridge and a couple lights.
I've never tried to set it up for camper use, since we have a seasonal.
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Old 02-07-2016, 10:29 AM   #16
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A 30A 120/240 twist lock should put out 30A on each leg... Not 30a total.

120@30a -- 0 (neutral) -- 120@30a

Limited of course, by the size of the generator - you'd need a 6500 watt unit to get the full 30a at 240; a 3500w will be almost certainly limited to about 15a per leg; unless it's got a dedicated 120v mode (at which point it would have a 120v twist lock, rather then a 120/240...)

Also - many cheaper voltage regulators aren't very happy with largely imbalanced loads; and will get 'noisy' when they are badly balanced.
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Old 02-07-2016, 10:38 AM   #17
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Be aware that your standard Trailer shore power plug will not plug into the generator without an adapter.
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Old 02-07-2016, 10:59 AM   #18
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Be aware that your standard Trailer shore power plug will not plug into the generator without an adapter.
Yep.

I had to get one like this for it to work.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...54946900210633
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Old 02-07-2016, 11:16 AM   #19
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Yep what I bought for my Gen also. Easy find at camper stores or Harbor freight. Later RJD
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Old 02-07-2016, 11:22 AM   #20
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Admiral, you have a P.M.
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