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Robbie R. · 10-08-2009, 07:54 PM

I am planning on running my honda this weekend and wanted to try to add another 25 ft to my existing excella cord which is abouty 30' I think, is this ok ?

What do you think is the longest a person could extend the heavy duty cords and not take away power from the generator ?

Thanks,

Robbie R.

garry · 10-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Depends on what you are calling a HEAVY cord. They are measured in gage with the smaller number having larger wire and better current carrying capacity.

With 10 gage you could run another 25 to 50ft with no problem if you just run the normal stuff.

Robbie R. · 10-08-2009, 08:06 PM

Not sure what they are but they are very big and heavy like the ones that are sold at walmart or rv centers.

Robbie R.

2airishuman · 10-08-2009, 08:08 PM

HEAVY insulation isn't equal to awg...

know THIS before stringing together cords...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

...What do you think is the longest a person could extend the heavy duty cords and not take away power from the generator ?.

largely this depends on WHAT WIRE SIZE for the cords...

and WHAT SIZE gadgets are drawing power, and their watt/amp needs ...

and HOW SENSITIVE those gadgets are too LOWER voltage...

AND which genset???

the genset will put out and ramp UP to its rating (perhaps 2-5% more) and then SHUT DOWN if over-loaded.

the cord will HEAT UP some as will the male/female body parts...

heat is bad, low volts is bad.

so the MORE IMPORTANT issue is amp/volts AT THE end, not the genset 'output'...

many threads on how voltage DROPS over lenght/gauge of wire and how to deal with this...

here are only a few, there are entire websites JUST on this issue as well.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...ons-52734.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...amps-3700.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...ment-2727.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f383...ons-27383.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...off-17199.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...age-51758.html

the genset is MOBILE.

i use the SHORTEST cord and LARGEST awg 30 amp rated cord in my kit....

and THEN plug in a voltage/htz meter to an outlet that monitors output...

so as NOT to cook EITHER end of the equation.

all my 3 prong cords are 30 AMP rated and IF you use a 30amp/20amp adapter...

OR 20 amp 3 prong cord.... that limits the power delivered more.

cheers
2air'

Robbie R. · 10-08-2009, 08:15 PM

Thanks a bunch for the links and help.

I will be running 1 or 2 honda 2000s on a 30'- 30 amp cord hooked to another 30 amp cord about 25'

These will run micro/convection some and then overall charging/dvd etc.

No air this weekend.

I may not need to run both hondas just to run the micro.convection but thought I would see if one would run it.

Robbie R.

HiHoAgRV · 10-08-2009, 08:18 PM

Ya plannin on doin some boondocking? The biggest factor is your total load. I get 119 volts to my yard parking spot that is 150' away...using basically a heavy extension cord, BUT I know that any load past the interior lights will be a problem...in otherwords I don't even think about using the airconditioner or microwave...

For Airconditioning I move to the driveway and hook to the #10 Gauge BIG DOG cord that is has it's own 30 A breaker.

Robbie R. · 10-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Well I am planning a few days of the boony dockin !

I just got the excella and the previous owner was nice enough to bring 3 heavy cords and all have lights in the plugs.......not sure why ?

I just wanted to get the hondas a little ways off under a tarp and let them rock and roll for a while.

I think one 2000 will run my micro/convection but if it don't then I know 2 will surely.

They are the new model companions.

Robbie R.

2airishuman · 10-08-2009, 08:24 PM

just park the genset CLOSER to the trayla...

cheers
2air'

Ag&Au · 10-08-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

Thanks a bunch for the links and help.

I will be running 1 or 2 honda 2000s on a 30'- 30 amp cord hooked to another 30 amp cord about 25'

These will run micro/convection some and then overall charging/dvd etc.

No air this weekend.

I may not need to run both hondas just to run the micro.convection but thought I would see if one would run it.

Robbie R.

Hi Robbie,
If the extension cord is rated at 30 amps, there should not be a problem.
If you have time to get one, RV supply stores sell an AC voltmeter that plugs into any AC outlet.
AC Voltage Meter - Item - Camping World
Plug it into an outlet that is readily visible. Every time you turn on something with a large current draw, for instance the microwave, check the meter and make sure the needle is still within the green part of the scale. The first time you use the microwave or AC or whatever, after it has been running awhile, go outside and feel the cord and connectors to be sure they don't feel more than warm.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ken

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-08-2009, 08:59 PM

Hi, Robbie. I have an RV extension cord made for my 30 amp system; This is the only extension cord I would use. My cord is about another 25 feet long. So I could have a total of 50 feet. I bought this cord a few years back and have never needed to use it yet, but you never know.

HiHoAgRV · 10-08-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

just park the genset CLOSER to the trayla...

cheers
2air'

Yeah, what he said...

We place our Honda 2000 almost UNDER the 'stream and it's so quiet we almost can't tell it's running. I bet you can't hear it with a microwave zappin popcorn!

Dakota's Dad · 10-08-2009, 09:28 PM

I thought the whole pupose of the little Honda's was their near silent operation...

Ag&Au · 10-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Yeah, what he said...

We place our Honda 2000 almost UNDER the 'stream and it's so quiet we almost can't tell it's running. I bet you can't hear it with a microwave zappin popcorn!

I don't know what "almost under" really is, but I would be concerned about fire if I had a gasoline powered generator within a few feet of the trailer unless it was designed for in-trailer installation. I would be VERY concerned if it were ever refueled near the trailer. Just my opinion.
Ken

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-08-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w7ts

I don't know what "almost under" really is, but I would be concerned about fire if I had a gasoline powered generator within a few feet of the trailer unless it was designed for in-trailer installation. I would be VERY concerned if it were ever refueled near the trailer. Just my opinion.
Ken

Hi, Carbon Monoxide? Give it some distance.

Ag&Au · 10-08-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, Carbon Monoxide? Give it some distance.

Very good Point, I didn't think of that one...
Ken

2airishuman · 10-08-2009, 10:38 PM

guys

pour robbie is ALREADY worried about spiders and boggie men UNDER the bed...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...tch-56769.html

now he's gonna be worried about turning cherry red INSIDE the stream while his wife bakes electric biscuits.

IF either hiyo' or i are camping nearby he can put his genset under OUR trailers...

(that's what do when hiho' is close by) and they look ok (well just a little red)

or is it green?

IF he puts it very far from the stream he'll just trip OVER it in the dark...

and stab himself in the heart with the scissors.

wait on second thought DEFINITELY put it 55 feet from the stream...

THEN IF you can gen azazel to run out there STAB HIM in the heart with the scissors...

i've measured this and am sure THIS boggie man booo! won't be able to make it back to the trailer in time....

to pass it on....

camping is VERRRRY SCARRRRY this time of year...

and it's only a matter of time...

time...

cheers
2air'

**Kevin245** · 10-09-2009, 06:44 AM

Hey Robbie,

Voltage Drop is the the death bell to electrical appliances in your AS. Extending the power cord will cause voltage drop to your rig unless you compensate by increase the wire gauge of the supply cords.

TT standard power cords are typically a 10/3 configuration. If you must use an extension, you should aviod using any wire gauge that is smaller. I would keep the length to an absolute minimum, and avoid using multiple AC appliances at a time.

Regards,

Kevin

**moosetags** · 10-09-2009, 07:18 AM

We have one of the 25' 30 amp extension cords of the same gauge as Lucy's OEM 30 amp shore power cord. We have used it on only one occasion at a campground in San Dimas, California where we spent a week using the extension cord. We were using all of Lucy's appliances including the air conditioning. We did not experience any electrical problems. Everything worked as normal.

We have never used the extension cord with our generators. We also have two of the Honda 2000's. We have used the Hondas extensively. We usually place them partially under the rear bumper of the Suburban with the control panel in the keep it out of direct rain and the exhaust out. This also gives us a stable place to chain the generators.

The Hondas are particularly susceptible to theft, and we try to take all the precautions that we can.

Brian

richinny · 10-09-2009, 07:27 AM

one more advantage to placing them closer is that you'd be more likely to hear/see someone moving them to a new home.

yeah, what brian said!

bryanl · 10-09-2009, 09:56 AM

For the CO concerns, see For safer emergencies, give your power generator some space

Many extension cords these days will include power handling ratings on their packaging. That will serve as a starting point for peak loads.

To see what the cord will do to your electricity, see American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits with skin depth frequencies as it has a nice calculator towards the bottom of the page.

For a single Honda 2000, you should do OK with up to 50' of 12 gauge cord. This is a common heavy duty extension cord.

If your needs involve two of these gensets, then a 10 gauge 'contractors' extension cord is needed and those are hard to find.

Once you get past 50' or so or need more power, then you need to take care to make sure power delivery under load doesn't drag down the voltage too much as suggested above. Also, as suggested, make sure that the cords, and especially the plugs, don't get hot.