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While I found the article quite interesting, the stuff he writes about his electrical work makes me think that he shouldn't really do electrical work in the fir

by cnvogel 11y ago

While I found the article quite interesting, the stuff he writes about his electrical work makes me think that he shouldn't really do electrical work in the first place: <quote> But when you are pumping 30 AMPS of current through an extension cord, you can’t just use any extension cord, you have to use the heavy duty, 8 gauge, super thick type. (...) But those who know me well, know that I am a cheap bastard, and I wasn’t about to spend $150 on what amounts to a bunch of wire.</quote> So to save money, he just parallels three cheap cables off Walmart using a splitter. Please don't do this without putting fuses in each individual cable to make sure the rating is not exceeded.

x0054 11y ago
OP here: I tested this system with a IR thermometer. Unplugging 2 out of 3 cables does make the remaining cable get warm after an hour of operation, but it doesn't burn, melt, or smoke. Running with just 2 cables, the system remains nice and cool, the third one is there for backup. In case of failure, if resistance on one of the cables goes up, the electricity will naturally flow through the other 2 cables with less resistance. Any short in any of the 3 wires will instantly trip the 30 amp fuse. If, for some reason, 2 out of 3 cables get unplugged, but not shorted, for some reason. The last remaining cable does have a potential to overheat after hours of operation, but the fuse should blow way before any significant problem could occur. It's just as unlikely that someone will come and neatly disconnect 2/3 extension cords as it is that 2/3 of the strands in the thick extension cord will be damaged, causing it to also overheat.
- cnvogel 11y ago
  I really salute your diligent testing and the thought you've put into it, most people won't do that much. Then again, I also don't want to scare you by suggesting that your solution might burn down the house and kill the dog, and personally I might as well do the same if it's urgent and a one-off job for a day or two. But for what you describe, a semi-permanent solution expected to be put to use a few times a year, I personally would try to find the proper parts, used off eBay if necessary, and make a pretty cable run to the garage with the mobile home/generator, wiring boxes and properly rated sockets on both sides. Makes me sleep better, makes me not hunt for 1 of the 3 cables which I've misplaced because I've used them for mowing the lawn, and in the case of the very unlikely freak accident happening makes the electrician called to clean up the mess not ask stupid questions.
  - x0054 11y ago
    I think that's going to be the plan at some time in the future, maybe this winter. What I really want to do is run a conduit under ground to where the RV is parked and connect an 8 gauge wire through it, and also an ethernet cable. This way I can wire the RV generator's start button directly to the electrical system. The control unit has an auto start function, so when the batteries get to critical level, rather then shutting down, it automatically starts the generator and charges the battery until they reach ~ 80% capacity. This way I don't have to worry about it and have to turn it on manually. I already found all the manuals and figured out the connections, just have not gotten around to implementing it yet. The 3 extension cords were a temporary workable solution, something I could implement that day, when we run out of electricity for the first time. I had the tools, and tested it with one cord, and 2 and 3, it worked well enough to where I could sleep at night, not that you can really sleep at night with the generator running, that thing is loud. :) Now, with more resources, and more time to plan it out, I think I am going to make a more permanent solution. But you know how what they say about temporary solutions: "There is nothing more permanent then a temporary solution" :)

by cnvogel 11y ago

x0054 11y ago

OP here: I tested this system with a IR thermometer. Unplugging 2 out of 3 cables does make the remaining cable get warm after an hour of operation, but it doesn't burn, melt, or smoke. Running with just 2 cables, the system remains nice and cool, the third one is there for backup. In case of failure, if resistance on one of the cables goes up, the electricity will naturally flow through the other 2 cables with less resistance. Any short in any of the 3 wires will instantly trip the 30 amp fuse. If, for some reason, 2 out of 3 cables get unplugged, but not shorted, for some reason. The last remaining cable does have a potential to overheat after hours of operation, but the fuse should blow way before any significant problem could occur. It's just as unlikely that someone will come and neatly disconnect 2/3 extension cords as it is that 2/3 of the strands in the thick extension cord will be damaged, causing it to also overheat.

cnvogel 11y ago
I really salute your diligent testing and the thought you've put into it, most people won't do that much. Then again, I also don't want to scare you by suggesting that your solution might burn down the house and kill the dog, and personally I might as well do the same if it's urgent and a one-off job for a day or two. But for what you describe, a semi-permanent solution expected to be put to use a few times a year, I personally would try to find the proper parts, used off eBay if necessary, and make a pretty cable run to the garage with the mobile home/generator, wiring boxes and properly rated sockets on both sides. Makes me sleep better, makes me not hunt for 1 of the 3 cables which I've misplaced because I've used them for mowing the lawn, and in the case of the very unlikely freak accident happening makes the electrician called to clean up the mess not ask stupid questions.
- x0054 11y ago
  I think that's going to be the plan at some time in the future, maybe this winter. What I really want to do is run a conduit under ground to where the RV is parked and connect an 8 gauge wire through it, and also an ethernet cable. This way I can wire the RV generator's start button directly to the electrical system. The control unit has an auto start function, so when the batteries get to critical level, rather then shutting down, it automatically starts the generator and charges the battery until they reach ~ 80% capacity. This way I don't have to worry about it and have to turn it on manually. I already found all the manuals and figured out the connections, just have not gotten around to implementing it yet. The 3 extension cords were a temporary workable solution, something I could implement that day, when we run out of electricity for the first time. I had the tools, and tested it with one cord, and 2 and 3, it worked well enough to where I could sleep at night, not that you can really sleep at night with the generator running, that thing is loud. :) Now, with more resources, and more time to plan it out, I think I am going to make a more permanent solution. But you know how what they say about temporary solutions: "There is nothing more permanent then a temporary solution" :)