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EdInArk · 09-28-2020, 03:08 PM

But hey, you folks are the generator experts so here it is.

Our house generator is an 8KW Generac, and I plug it into the house as needed with a 10' long, 30amp cable. This runs my well pump, refrigerator, freezer, TV, computer stuff, lights, etc. During the winter it'll run a couple of 1500 watt ceramic heaters to keep us from freezing.

The older I get the heavier it gets, and the farther I have to drag it to get it to the house from the storage building where it's usually stored. OK, the heavier it feels and the farther it seems like I have to drag it.

So, how long a cable could I safely use to get it plugged to the house? I could buy a 50', 7500 watt, 30 amp cable at Home Depot and just run it from the storage building.

I'd park the generator with the exhaust facing the doorway so I could just plug it in, open the doors, and let 'er rip.

twinboat · 09-28-2020, 03:52 PM

If you have a 8000 watt generator, you could overload a 7500 watt extension cord.

Do they offer a 10,000 watt cord ? With that, you may suffer some voltage drop, but not overload the cord.

lrgomez1976 · 09-28-2020, 04:33 PM

I would be afraid of second guessing and having damaging thoughts in the back of my mind. Call Generac to get their advice.
Generac. 888-436-3722

EdInArk · 09-28-2020, 08:02 PM

Thanks to both of you. Food for thought. As it stands, I don't use it that much. If the power to the house is only going to be off for a short while we just move to the RV with the built-in generator. Sometimes, though, we're told it'll be off for hours like today. It went off about 1:15 pm, and here, at 9:00 pm it's still off.

It was supposed to be back on at 6:30, then 8:30, now ... who knows?

Isaac-1 · 09-30-2020, 12:44 AM

I am guessing your current cord has 10AWG wiring in it, in order to avoid excessive voltage drop, you would probably need a 8 AWG wire cord at 50 ft, as 10 AWG is getting very marginal at 50 ft on voltage drop. This could be custom made, but I don't think you will find it off the shelf with the correct plugs on the end.

p.s. I was wrong here is an 8 awg L14-30 generator cord on Amazon, there are lots of 50 ft 10 AWG cords, which as I mentioned above are marginal, but this is the only 8AWG I found, they also offer it in 75 ft length. https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Box-L14-...dp/B07F46Q2KK/

EdInArk · 09-30-2020, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

I am guessing your current cord has 10AWG wiring in it, in order to avoid excessive voltage drop, you would probably need a 8 AWG wire cord at 50 ft, as 10 AWG is getting very marginal at 50 ft on voltage drop. This could be custom made, but I don't think you will find it off the shelf with the correct plugs on the end.

p.s. I was wrong here is an 8 awg L14-30 generator cord on Amazon, there are lots of 50 ft 10 AWG cords, which as I mentioned above are marginal, but this is the only 8AWG I found, they also offer it in 75 ft length. https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Box-L14-...dp/B07F46Q2KK/

Thank you, Isaac. I'll look into that one.