Make my own 30 amp extension cord
Anyone made their own 30 amp extension cord? I'm thinking it would be cheaper than buying one.
Forum Discussion
I have a 6500 watt diesel generator for use at the house, semi portable as I can hoist it up on my 5x10 trailer and move it that way (intend to put it on its own little trailer with a roof, but never have) Anyhow, I bought two sections of 8/4 SOOW cord from a guy on Ebay. Said it was in a used former HVAC van when he bought it. A 45 ft piece and a 38 ft piece and I paid $75, not too bad but way too cumbersome to carry in a motorhome as any kind of extension. I installed L14-30 plugs and connectors on the sections to use at the house with my genny inlet and interlock.
Then I found a 25 ft generator cord (10 gauge) at Home Depot on clearance, also with L14-30 ends molded on (the clear ones), so I bought it.
I already had a molded adapter that was L14-30 male to TT30 female, which utilized the ground, neutral and the Y hot of a L14-30 circuit. Could not find an adapter for the other end, so I took a Harbor Freight dogbone, TT30 male with 10/3 cord and cut off the regular household type female end on it. Then I installed a L14-30 female connector, also hooking the hot to the Y terminal in the connector. Now I have a 26 ft TT30 amp extension for the motorhome, and also can adapt it other ways, or use it on the generator.
It may never get used, but its there if I need it, cost was fairly minimal. I order ends from FruitRidgeTools.com and usually end up with P&S male ends and Bryant female connectors when I build this stuff. Sometimes I find deals on Ebay, with a lot of searching.
Charles
Then I found a 25 ft generator cord (10 gauge) at Home Depot on clearance, also with L14-30 ends molded on (the clear ones), so I bought it.
I already had a molded adapter that was L14-30 male to TT30 female, which utilized the ground, neutral and the Y hot of a L14-30 circuit. Could not find an adapter for the other end, so I took a Harbor Freight dogbone, TT30 male with 10/3 cord and cut off the regular household type female end on it. Then I installed a L14-30 female connector, also hooking the hot to the Y terminal in the connector. Now I have a 26 ft TT30 amp extension for the motorhome, and also can adapt it other ways, or use it on the generator.
It may never get used, but its there if I need it, cost was fairly minimal. I order ends from FruitRidgeTools.com and usually end up with P&S male ends and Bryant female connectors when I build this stuff. Sometimes I find deals on Ebay, with a lot of searching.
Charles
