Question for electricians???? - Montana Owners Club

Dennis and Carol · 08-24-2008, 01:02 PM

Assuming I am not hooked to shore power. What will happen if I would plug in my EU 2000 into a non-GFCI circuit with an extension cord with a correctly wired male plug on each end? Would this not energize the breaker buss and thus energize the other circuits in the coach. I am trying to eliminate the need to drag out the 50 amp cord each time I wish to use the generator. Sounds like like a stupid question, but would really simplify things.

noneck · 08-24-2008, 01:24 PM

It will work...I wouldn't recommend it tho for couple of reasons;
1)Your back feeding via at best a 15 amp circuit
2)Having a double ended plug is dangerous should you unplug the outlet while generator is on

H. John Kohl · 08-24-2008, 02:14 PM

I strongly concur with NONECK.
Do Not DO that. Yes it will work but is very dangerous. I suggest getting a short pigtail from the trailer down to 30 amp and then the reducer plug down to 15 amps. Use a good 20 amp extension cord to the generator.
Here is a 50 to 15 amp
Cheers,

Waynem · 08-24-2008, 04:57 PM

The one H. John posted is the one I used at the stick house. It worked great for running one air conditioner and as long as I did not try to make coffee on the same circuit indid the stick house.

Edited: Oh! I just picked up one for the S.O.B. that is a little round deal that the 50 amp cord plugs into, and has 110v 3 prong on the flip side. Cost was $4.95 at the dealer.

Pete Hanson · 08-25-2008, 04:42 AM

The nickname I've heard for those male terminated exptension cords (both ends) is "suicide cord". Handy for some troubleshooting but very dangerous.

Ozz · 08-26-2008, 06:11 AM

You would be energizing just one side of the 2 sided buss bar, many of your circuits wouldn't be energized but it does work, as stated, dangerous.
Get a good adapter, and stay safe.
Good luck.
Ozz

Dennis and Carol · 08-26-2008, 09:31 AM

Thanks for all the input. Guess I will get my exercise by dragging that 50amp cord around until I can save up enough for an adapter.

Ozz · 08-26-2008, 10:25 AM

By golly Dennis, if any of us MOC Peeps are there, we will gladly help with the Anaconda.
Take care, and travel safe.
Ozz

ols1932 · 08-26-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Dennis and Carol

Thanks for all the input. Guess I will get my exercise by dragging that 50amp cord around until I can save up enough for an adapter.

Dennis,
We carry a 30-amp cord with us all the time also. It's handy to have when all you can hook up to is 30-amp. Saves lugging the 50-amp cable around.

Orv

chas · 10-15-2008, 01:03 PM

why dont you get a hitch haul carrier for the back , and keep the generator there . It wil be at the fartherest area away from the bedroom , making it quiet and you need just a little cord to go from the generator to the cord plugin recepticle at the back .Just fasten it down with bycicle locks . I have done it on my mountaineer , never have to move the generator , and can change the oil and fill the gas tank on my eu 6500 without moving it, just wrap a tarp around it and go - or get a fancy cover from honda . With the 2000 you will have room on the hitch haul for gas cans also . And give u more room in the truck bed .

KathyandDave · 10-15-2008, 03:26 PM

Marinco makes a 50A=>30A adapter. Add a 30A=>15A bone adapter and, presto! You can use a 15A extension cord. Keep it short, though - you'll lose power over its length.

sailer · 10-15-2008, 03:40 PM

That double end male plug is a death trap , before you plug in either end call the funeral home as you will need them ,,, sailer

bsmeaton · 10-15-2008, 05:34 PM

If your 3400 has the generator prep, you could rig a cord from the generator transfer switch in the front that you could plug a standard extension cord into.

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by KathyandDave

You can use a 15A extension cord. Keep it short, though - you'll lose power over its length.

Not sure if you could carry enough cord that would be long enough to realize power loss on an AC circuit.

KathyandDave · 10-16-2008, 07:24 AM

Pushing 15A through 100' of #16/3 extension cord (ordinary stuff) will dissipate 180 watts of power as heat. For #14/3 (heavier) the loss will be 68 watts.

bsmeaton · 10-16-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by KathyandDave

Pushing 15A through 100' of #16/3 extension cord (ordinary stuff) will dissipate 180 watts of power as heat. For #14/3 (heavier) the loss will be 68 watts.

Guess it could add up when running on a limited power supply - I stand corrected!

Waynem · 10-16-2008, 03:23 PM

Go to a hardware store and get a 12gauge extension cord if you re going to go that way. Your whole stick house runs on 12 gauge, and maybe some 14 gauge.

Here is some Useful Information on wire gauges and capacities.

Edited: With a 12 gauge extension cord, you can run the AC and TV at the same time. I never had a problem with it here at the stick house, and the extension cord was 50 feet.

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