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Started By
Message
How far can I run my 30 amp generator cord without losing power?
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:39 am
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:39 am
Right now I have a 25’ cord but that requires that I put the generator out in the elements with a redneck makeshift built protection around it to ensure it doesn’t get wet. I’d like to keep it in a mostly open but porch that would provide much better protection behind a detached structure on my property but that would require a 100’ cord instead.
My other option would be to build a generator “shed” in the corner of two fences 50’ away from the generator outlet (25 feet from the closest part of the house). Obviously a 100’ cord would be significantly cheaper than building a structure for the generator but I’m concerned that a 100’ cord would result in a loss of power. What can the electricians of the OT tell me about this?
10,000 starting watts/8,000 running watts
30 amp generator
My other option would be to build a generator “shed” in the corner of two fences 50’ away from the generator outlet (25 feet from the closest part of the house). Obviously a 100’ cord would be significantly cheaper than building a structure for the generator but I’m concerned that a 100’ cord would result in a loss of power. What can the electricians of the OT tell me about this?
10,000 starting watts/8,000 running watts
30 amp generator
24
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:46 am to TDsngumbo
Go to 8 or 6 gauge 100’. Ain’t cheap though.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:46 am to TDsngumbo
Google says 100ft. for 10 ga, 75 ft for 12.
This post was edited on 9/13/24 at 8:48 am
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:48 am to TDsngumbo
Get a 100' of 8/3 and rock it, you'll be fine.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:49 am to TDsngumbo
Need to know the wire gauge. #10 would probably be fine but you will probably have a few percent loss like 3-5%. You can use #8 and have a little less loss and it’s safer.
Don’t cheap out on the cords. Lots of cheap Chinese shite out there.
Don’t cheap out on the cords. Lots of cheap Chinese shite out there.
This post was edited on 9/13/24 at 8:51 am
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:50 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
put the generator out in the elements
What kind of generator do you have that you can't run it out in the elements?
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:50 am to CHEDBALLZ
quote:
Get a 100' of 8/3 and rock it, you'll be fine.
Thank you, but explain this to me like I’m Biden - what does 8/3 mean? Assume 8 gauge but what’s the 3?
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:54 am to TDsngumbo
What are you running? If you think about it, your home has 100' runs of 14awg wire to run most of your plugs and lights for 110v from your circuit breaker to the end point.
The larger your wire, the less resistance you'll have so you can go further. For 30 amps max you'd like to have at least 10awg, but you won't get 30 amps unless you overload it and the circuit breaker will kick. I wouldn't feel bad using a 100' 12awg extension cord on it.
The larger your wire, the less resistance you'll have so you can go further. For 30 amps max you'd like to have at least 10awg, but you won't get 30 amps unless you overload it and the circuit breaker will kick. I wouldn't feel bad using a 100' 12awg extension cord on it.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:54 am to sidewalkside
quote:
What kind of generator do you have that you can't run it out in the elements?
The kind that produces lots of electricity.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:55 am to TDsngumbo
Three wires, a hot, neutral, and a ground.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:57 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
TDsngumbo
sounds like a cheap piece of junk if you can't run it in the elements.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:58 am to sidewalkside
Look I don’t know for a fact that I can’t run it in the rain but I’d imagine it’s a good idea to protect it from the rain if I can.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:13 am to TDsngumbo
I would just throw a pop-up canopy over it (ideally with a vent at the top). You can go and grab some sandbags to anchor it so it doesn't blow away.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:15 am to KamaCausey_LSU
Just put it in your living room so you can watch it and make sure it's running right.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:16 am to carrguitar
350 feet
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:20 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
Look I don’t know for a fact that I can’t run it in the rain but I’d imagine it’s a good idea to protect it from the rain if I can.
So you've created a whole scenario in your head...posted a questions here looking for solutions...but haven't even checked yet if any of this is necessary...OT baws are a rare breed.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:20 am to TDsngumbo
i wouldn't worry about any of this stuff. the next time you'll go to use your generator, it won't start for you regardless.
hope this helps.
hope this helps.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:21 am to TDsngumbo
You can go as far as you want with big enough wire.
I personally did my math based on 15 amps. You should apply some thought or measurement to how many amps you'll actually be using. Voltage drop calculators are available online and are simple to use. Different cabling has different temp ratings and the primary risk here is overheating cables and melting insulation.
Is really easy to be excessively conservative and ending up with 4/0 battery cables strung across your yard for no good reason.
I personally did my math based on 15 amps. You should apply some thought or measurement to how many amps you'll actually be using. Voltage drop calculators are available online and are simple to use. Different cabling has different temp ratings and the primary risk here is overheating cables and melting insulation.
Is really easy to be excessively conservative and ending up with 4/0 battery cables strung across your yard for no good reason.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:27 am to sidewalkside
quote:
So you've created a whole scenario in your head...posted a questions here looking for solutions...but haven't even checked yet if any of this is necessary...OT baws are a rare breed.
A simple search on google says you should always protect your generator from the rain. I don’t see where I’m wrong in my concern.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:40 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
Thank you, but explain this to me like I’m Biden - what does 8/3 mean? Assume 8 gauge but what’s the
3 conductor wires. In the case, 3 8 gauge wires.
Generally used for things like an electric dryer where two conductors deliver 240 and the third delivers 120 for things like the control panel or a light inside the dryer.
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