Making new power cord

[jsnip42]

Has anybody made a custom powercord? I am going to put a 4400 watt generator on the back in a basket in the receiver hitch. I want to make a small power cord instead of using the long cord that comes with the Montana. The trick is I need the 50 plug that plugs into the Montana on one end and a 30 amp twist lock for the generator on the other end. Is this too expensive to even consider?

[ols1932]

It depends on the length of the cable. I wouldn't think it would be too expensive, but you must remember to use large enough wire gauge to carry the load. Too often, RVers wanting to use a smaller cable (not wanting to use the 50-amp cable) end up using wire that's too light. This causes the cable to overheat. I'm not sure which gauge you should use but any bona-fide electrician can tell you. I'm sure some of our forum electricians will be along to weigh in.

Orv

[Emmel]

jsnip42, try using the 50 to 30 amp adapter and then make a small cord to run from there to the gen plug. Remember, the gen plug is not the same as the 30amp household plug. Sometimes, if you look hard enough, you can find 30amp cords at garage sales so all you would have to do would be to cut off the male end at the length you want and then install the gen plug. I have purchased two cords at garage sales, you never know when you might need that extra foot or so!

[G McCall]

I have made several chords one with a 30amp twist lock for my generator.

It may be that you will have to make the one you describe.

Going through adapters, is probably too expensive.

[bncinwv]

Here is the route that I chose. Note that my generator is in the bed of the truck and I added a receptacle on the front of the rig:
generator adapter
power cord
The obvious advantage is that you have a 30 amp hookup cord available if you are in 30 amp only sites (and it is a heck of a lot lighter than the 50 amp back-breaker with an adapter)
Bingo

[William O. Phillips]

I am facing the same situation. I agree that making the 'short' cord with the correct plugs is the best option. I have a Honda 3000. I am planning to secure it to a cargo carrier from the rear hitch. It's a class I hitch with 200# capacity.

I bought a Haul-Master Aluminum cargo carrier from Harbor Freight. Only $59.99 and weights only 27 lbs. Should hold the generator in a box.

So I need a cord that will be about 5 or 6 feet long.

My question is this......Do I need a 50A female on one end for the Monty? I know the 30A is a male twist lock.



Thanhks - Bill

[Charlie]

I think that you would not need the 50A female since you will only be 30A max at the other end. I have a 50-30 adapter that I use to with my 30A cord. Most RV places sell the Marineco adapters.

[mtheo]

You will need the 50 amp female even if you are only using 30 amps. After that a short 30 amp cord should be easy to make and the most costly item will be the 50 amp female plug end.

[jsnip42]

Will any 50 amp female work with the Monty or do I need to get one from the dealer? It seems like the plug that comes from Keystone has a silver metal part on the side of the plug.

[mtheo]

You can get them from other than the dealer, just make sure it is the same pattern, The silver metal apart is a ground, it is the first thing to connect and the last thing that discounts.

[Skip]

A bit off the subject, but would anyone know where I could find a short 50 amp cord for my monty? I only need about 6 foot to go from the RV to the 50 amp plug in. Don"t need the extra cord that I have now laying around to trip over. Thanks for any help.

[tcorbitt]

If you are handy making cables, your local electric supply house will have the parts and cable in any length at the best price. I made the 30A (L6-30P) connector to 50AMP connector using 50' of 10-3 for about $45 2 years ago. As the price of copper is up with everything else now, I would expect the price could be twice that today.

The cord/converter bingo has would do the job perfectly and save the handy work for not a lot more $$...

[jimc]

Since you have a 4400 watt generator, I assume you have a 240V outlet on it. If so, you will probably want to feed 240V to the Montana. Here's how - get a 50 amp female plug from Northern Tool (northerntool.com) - they seem to have the best price - $45. Then get a male 50 amp twistlock from them (if the Reliance brand will fit) or Google around and find one - should be about the same price as the female (my generator came with this plug). Buy #10, stranded cable (Lowes or HD) in the length you want, and hook it up.

If on the other hand you want 120V, then get the female plug from Northern and a 30 amp 3-prong RV plug plus the cable - again, use #10 stranded. In the 50 amp female connector hook the black to the black terminal, the green and white to the common terminal and then make a short #10 jumper between the black and the other hot leg. On the other end - black to brass terminal, white to silver and green to common.