factory dead man cord?

[LittleBill]

seems interesting browsing inverter generators, this parallel kit does not use the banana plug, has on and off switches in the cord, but seems like there is a still a electrocution risk.

Parallel Cord

considering how many people condemn that type of cord seems interesting someone would make it.

[JaxDad]

road-runner wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
I saw one of these things in person, the switches in the junction box are ‘latching switches’ and can only be in the closed position if you hold them down or there is electricity in that leg of the cord.

As soon as you pull one plug the switch for that leg pops open.

That makes me really curious how they accomplish that because for startup the instruction manual says:
1. Turn both switches off.
2. Plug the two plugs into the two generators.
3. Start one generator.
4. Turn both switches on.
5. Start other generator.

The shutdown instructions are:
1. Shut the switches off manually.
2. Pull out the plugs.


Together, all of this information would mean there has to be something in the switch box that detects the paralleling plug is inserted in a generator whether it is running or not, not just if there is electricity in the leg of the cord.

I presume each of the several manufacturers of these things use a different setup / design.

I was just saying how the one I saw worked.

[road-runner]

JaxDad wrote:
I saw one of these things in person, the switches in the junction box are ‘latching switches’ and can only be in the closed position if you hold them down or there is electricity in that leg of the cord.

As soon as you pull one plug the switch for that leg pops open.

That makes me really curious how they accomplish that because for startup the instruction manual says:
1. Turn both switches off.
2. Plug the two plugs into the two generators.
3. Start one generator.
4. Turn both switches on.
5. Start other generator.

The shutdown instructions are:
1. Shut the switches off manually.
2. Pull out the plugs.


Together, all of this information would mean there has to be something in the switch box that detects the paralleling plug is inserted in a generator whether it is running or not, not just if there is electricity in the leg of the cord.

[JaxDad]

I saw one of these things in person, the switches in the junction box are ‘latching switches’ and can only be in the closed position if you hold them down or there is electricity in that leg of the cord.

As soon as you pull one plug the switch for that leg pops open.

[MrWizard]

in 'reality' a home brew suicide cord has male plugs on each of the opposite (2) ends

this has male plugs on the input side that plugs into the generators

the other 'end' has female outlets

it is unknown IF only one male was in use with only one generator if the other 'covered' male would be hot

it might be, it might not

that is the 'Gist' of the difference of opinion

[road-runner]

Gdetrailer wrote:

You DO realize that the "Westinghouse" name and Logo ARE LICENSED to be slapped onto ANYTHING that can be sold?

Of course, that's why I said "big corporation name".

[wnjj]

BFL13 wrote:
I just got a smaller gen that can be paralleled. Its plug- in for that is three "holes" so the connector kit must have three prongs. There is no designation of "Companion", you just parallel two of these the same. Here is the connector kit, and it doesn't show the prongs, but they must be inside the covered ends there.

https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-6278-Connector-PowerSmart/dp/B00N8QI3NO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qi...

So the OP example isn't the only one. How else are you going to do it? Does the Honda "Companion" have opposite sex connections?

Honda uses shielded male plugs. You can’t touch the conductor but it can make contact once plugged in.

[Gdetrailer]

pnichols wrote:
The OP's linked photo looks like a cord with a male connetor on one end and female connectors on the other end.

Then ... if I'm interpreting the photo right ... that is not an illegal "suicide cord".

Suicide cords have male connectors on both ends.

FWIW:

I use two of them for two different purposes ... one for the stick house and one for the RV.

We have friends with an RV that use one for a very unusual RV purpose: They keep their RV powered while in storage via an outside 120V AC outlet on the RV that is more convenient to reach than using shore power cord access on the other side of the RV. There is just a few feet between the RV's outside 120V AC outlet and a 120V AC outlet at the storage area, so just a short dual-male-ended cord between the two outlets works perfect for keeping their RV powered. Of course the 120V AC wattage available this way will not run their RV's air conditioner - but pretty much everything else in the RV while it's in storage between trips.

Not sure you are really looking at the same photos..

Here is pix from OPs link..

First one is the cables showing the ends with yellow caps.



Second photo shows the ends plugged into one of the duplex outlets on each gen and if you look carefully you will see tethered yellow caps have been pulled off of the plugs.



I have made the photos as large as forum rules allow to help the blind folk see better..

In reality this IS a "suicide" cord, but unlike a home brew one, it has some sort of switch setup and possibly perhaps (hopefully) some sort of safety device inside the little black box which would prevent the blades of the plugs from being energized accidentally..

[BFL13]

I just got a smaller gen that can be paralleled. Its plug- in for that is three "holes" so the connector kit must have three prongs. There is no designation of "Companion", you just parallel two of these the same. Here is the connector kit, and it doesn't show the prongs, but they must be inside the covered ends there.

https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-6278-Connector-PowerSmart/dp/B00N8QI3NO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qi...

So the OP example isn't the only one. How else are you going to do it? Does the Honda "Companion" have opposite sex connections?

[joshuajim]

Gdetrailer wrote:

road-runner wrote:
Being sold under a big corporation name, I'm surprised the lawyers are letting this happen.

You DO realize that the "Westinghouse" name and Logo ARE LICENSED to be slapped onto ANYTHING that can be sold?

The "Westinghouse" of old where quality in a product meant something AND the Westinghouse Company WAS a REAL COMPANY based out of Downtown Pittsburgh PA no longer exists.

Now, it is nothing more than a SHELL Company name..

Around late 1990's Westinghouse sold themselves off to other "companies".

I am not a fan of "Wiki" but they do have a decent account of Westinghouse history HERE

The result is "Westinghouse Electric Company" which is OWNED by Toshiba (Nearly tanking Toshiba in the process) and handles NUCLEAR power plants and is based out of Warrendale PA.

And believe it or not, CBS! Yep, the broadcasting network CBS..

And "Westinghouse Licensing Corporation" HERE (which is "responsible" for stuff like that generator having a Westinghouse name on it..

Yeah, I worked at Westinghouse back around 1986-87 in their Downtown Pittsburgh office building for a short time..

Good old George Westinghouse must be rolling in his grave for what has become of his Company name..

Yup, just like Bell & Howell, Fuller Brush and many other defunct corporations. Just a worthless recognized name on usually inferior products.

[Boon_Docker]

pnichols wrote:
The OP's linked photo looks like a cord with a male connetor on one end and female connectors on the other end.

Then ... if I'm interpreting the photo right ... that is not an illegal "suicide cord".

Suicide cords have male connectors on both ends.

If those two male plugs are tied together (which they must be) then it is the same as male connectors on both ends.

[pnichols]

The OP's linked photo looks like a cord with a male connetor on one end and female connectors on the other end.

Then ... if I'm interpreting the photo right ... that is not an illegal "suicide cord".

Suicide cords have male connectors on both ends.

FWIW:

I use two of them for two different purposes ... one for the stick house and one for the RV.

We have friends with an RV that use one for a very unusual RV purpose: They keep their RV powered while in storage via an outside 120V AC outlet on the RV that is more convenient to reach than using shore power cord access on the other side of the RV. There is just a few feet between the RV's outside 120V AC outlet and a 120V AC outlet at the storage area, so just a short dual-male-ended cord between the two outlets works perfect for keeping their RV powered. Of course the 120V AC wattage available this way will not run their RV's air conditioner - but pretty much everything else in the RV while it's in storage between trips.

[Gdetrailer]

wa8yxm wrote:
Those may be banana plugs.. I have some that look like that.. They put a plastic "Tube" around 'em to protect them from accidental contact by an inattentive user.

Umm, no.. Nice try..

Couple of pix of several "Westinghouse" gen models.. Perhaps you can see better than I can and point out where the "banana" jacks are?

[Gdetrailer]

road-runner wrote:
Being sold under a big corporation name, I'm surprised the lawyers are letting this happen.

You DO realize that the "Westinghouse" name and Logo ARE LICENSED to be slapped onto ANYTHING that can be sold?

The "Westinghouse" of old where quality in a product meant something AND the Westinghouse Company WAS a REAL COMPANY based out of Downtown Pittsburgh PA no longer exists.

Now, it is nothing more than a SHELL Company name..

Around late 1990's Westinghouse sold themselves off to other "companies".

I am not a fan of "Wiki" but they do have a decent account of Westinghouse history HERE

The result is "Westinghouse Electric Company" which is OWNED by Toshiba (Nearly tanking Toshiba in the process) and handles NUCLEAR power plants and is based out of Warrendale PA.

And believe it or not, CBS! Yep, the broadcasting network CBS..

And "Westinghouse Licensing Corporation" HERE (which is "responsible" for stuff like that generator having a Westinghouse name on it..

Yeah, I worked at Westinghouse back around 1986-87 in their Downtown Pittsburgh office building for a short time..

Good old George Westinghouse must be rolling in his grave for what has become of his Company name..

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Most likely was never "intended" for US and is most likely made outside of the US where it is perfectly fine to hang "on demand" electric water heaters right above your head in a bathtub/shower..


Got three of these critters at home. Removed perforated head
Removed 16 gauge original grounding wire

Replaced with 12 gauge green wire

Soldered wire to metal base

Stripped and tinned other end.

Shined up pipe.

Used a hose clamp tighter n snot

Slapped a gobba grease over the pipe.

That short of length of wire would pass 50 amps

Not recommended for amateurs.