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bhebby
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 11:29
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I have been running a cord through the window until now but I would like to stop doing that since its letter cold air in and out. In lieu of wiring up a panel box is it ok for me to just be using a cord? I only run a "boom box", a small chandelier with 5 7 watt LED light bulbs and maybe a iphone charger off a HONDA 2000. I was thinking of drilling a hole in the wall and running a heavy gauge whip with two female ends on with a drip loop outside. then using foam insulation spray to seal it all up. I dont want to get real fancy, but I also dont want to do something dangerous. What do other people use if they dont wire a small amp panel box? thanks in advance.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 11:49
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Sounds like no problem, very little power requirement there, if in doubt when things are running check to be sure the chord isn't getting hot or better yet run through a good quality power strip with breaker.
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bhebby
Member
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 12:39
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Any recomendations on what gauge wire for the whip? I trust this forum way more than the clerk at Home Depot! thanks
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 15:16
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Two ways to look at it.
1. just run a cord that will do for what you use
2. run a heavier cord; one that will cover up to the maximum output of the generator outlet. (that's my way. It covers you just in case you want to run something you haven't even dreamed of yet. )
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Diver
Member
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2013 20:35
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You could add a Leviton 4937 Weatherproof Inlet on the outside of the cabin and conect this permanently to a small panel. You can then run a regular extension cord from the generator to the inlet when you need it and have the putlet weather proof when not in use..
In Canada, 14-2 Romex wire is typically used for 15A which should match the output of 1 receptacle of your honda 2000I generator 13.3A on mine.
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basrijn
Member
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# Posted: 23 Nov 2013 02:21
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@Diver: Cool, thanks for linking that Leviton part. A whole lot cheaper then the other options I looked at so far!
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Sustainusfarm
Member
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# Posted: 23 Nov 2013 10:31
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Quoting: Diver You could add a Leviton 4937 Weatherproof Inlet on the outside of the cabin and connect this permanently to a small panel. You can then run a regular extension cord from the generator to the inlet when you need it and have the outlet weather proof when not in use..
That's what I did...then I could unplug the generator form the cabin and lock it inside when I'm not there! And by wiring that into the electrical box I was able to wire the entire cabin and use the lights and power outlets and switches as if I had grid electrical power... We did this for 15yrs....now we are on grid! 
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 23 Nov 2013 11:04 - Edited by: Martian
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Use wire that is sized for the maximum output of the generator over the distance you run from the generator to the cabin.
For instance, a 2000W generator puts out roughly 20amps. If the run is 50', the minimum wire size is #10.
Tom
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 23 Nov 2013 11:09
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You asked about safety with a setup like this. Here are probably the most likely unsafe scenarios:
-lack of ground. The main function of the ground wire in the extension cord is to cause the circuit breaker on the generator to trip in the event of ground fault. So if the insulation on the wires in your chandelier frays and current touches the metal frame, the breaker trips before you touch the chandelier and you get shocked. This assumes that the chandelier is grounded, the extension cord has a solid ground connection back to the generator, and that the generator has a circuit breaker.
-frayed cords. Extension cords are notorious for getting worn in places like under carpets or over window sills
-over current. With the devices you describe, you are not drawing much current. If you add more, you'll need to be sure you don't draw too much through the cord. Size of the extension cord wire should be matched to the size of the circuit breaker.
You suggested installing a sub panel as a safer alternative. An improperly installed sub panel is more dangerous than a properly used extension cord. So, if/when you do instal a sub panel, I suggest you get an electrician if grounding/bonding/breakers/wire sizing are all mysteries to you.
About one person a week dies in the US from electrocution- mostly homeowners with limited knowledge. Be safe.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 24 Nov 2013 12:36
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If you feed a 220 panel with only 110VAC, you will needs to jumper the input legs together (Line 1 and Line 2). Use heavy enough wire to handle the load the gennie can supply to do this I would just use a 10AWG wire to do this. Good for up to 30 amps.
If you dont, only every other breaker will be powered up.
Like most others said, get a qualified electrician. You do not want to die. 
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 24 Nov 2013 17:04
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Not to hijack - but I have that leviton inlet and I want to wire it next weekend. Right now, my father in law connected a 10 gauge extension directly to my box so I used to just pull it out and then run that to the honda.... I can now just cut that extension, that is already wired to the box, and just connect it to the this inlet?
If yes, can you tell me how? I think it is just white to white black to black right?
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 25 Nov 2013 00:06
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The plug that the cord hooks to will not usually have a color. Are you hooking this into a larger generator with 220V or a smaller one with 110V like the Honda EU2000i?
This will make a difference in the answer.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 25 Nov 2013 06:51
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Regular plug honda 2000
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 25 Nov 2013 09:02 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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OK, then the black wire goes to the gold screw, white wire to the silver screw, green wire to the green screw on the inlet. Is this inlet going to be permanent? I'd use Romex (orange stuff) for this, but I'd get 10-3 W/ground (4 wires) in case you ever want to run it with a larger generator later. And wire it like a permanent installation, not with the flex cord.
Powering up the panel with a 110V generator, you are going to have to tie both legs together in the panel, but it is probably already done if you had been using that generator to run it before. You are just changing the long plug cord to an inlet.
You still need it done professionally or inspected by a professional to eliminate shock risk.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 27 Nov 2013 23:55
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech inspected by a professional to eliminate shock risk.
you cant find any professional to drive way out in the woods to inspect
just do it and post a pic you can get good help here
120v is not dangerous if it shocks you then don't touch it anymore
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 28 Nov 2013 00:40
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Quoting: Truecabin 120v is not dangerous
something about that statement bothers me....
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 28 Nov 2013 07:49
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It takes 4 milliamps to stop your heart. 120v will do that quite well, in the wrong circumstances.
Truecabin- since you can't get an electrician out to your location, I suggest you make a single line drawing, which is electrical talk for a simple drawing that shows all the equipment and where the wires go. Get an electrician to come to your house in civilization, show him your single line (or have him make it), have your subpanel there so you can point to wires and screws on the equipment, etc. Then you'll know exactly what to do out at your cabin.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 00:54
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Quoting: bldginsp It takes 4 milliamps to stop your heart. 120v will do that quite well, in the wrong circumstances.
there is a wrong circumstance like standing in water in your basement but have never heard of it
most of the time 120v just causes some cussing and blow a gap in your sidecutters
i have never felt 220v i pay attention to 220
thkx bldg, but wired my house and passed elec inspection i can do what i need, was just trying to help the opimisic guy
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 15:57
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Sometimes you may notice that an electrician will keep his left hand in his back pocket while he pokes around in an elec panel with his right. This is because if shock current goes thru one hand to the other, it has to go thru the chest when going from one arm to the other, so it would pass by or thru the heart. If one hand is in the back pocket, so the logic goes, this can't happen, and the shock current passes thru other parts of the body hopefully avoiding the heart. It doesn't matter what the voltage is, what matters is the path the current takes. 110 v is not less dangerous because it is 'lower' voltage.
Once you get below 50 volts there is somewhat less danger, but don't kid yourself. If any current over 4 milliamperes goes thru your heart you are probably dead. You don't have to be standing in water to get a lethal shock from 110 v from a very small generator.
Do what you want Truecabin but please don't mislead newbies.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 21:27
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yep i heard the one hand behind the back i do it
nobody enjoys 120v shock they will learn quick
but nobogy dies from a jolt to the finger
anyway you and i both dont want to mislead the newbies
you should see how they do electricity in the filipines no respect and its 220
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 22:01
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Quoting: Truecabin nobody enjoys 120v shock they will learn quick but nobody dies from a jolt to the finger
But how do you know before hand that it is only going to be a finger tingle / mild jolt? You nor anyone else can predict that, IMO. And Yes, I have had a few surprises over the years; times when I was stupid or lazy or thought I was invincible and the bad shit only happens to the other guy.
Please don't make light of electricity and safety issues. You are doing a disfavor to anyone who is not aware of the real risks. Do what you want to do, but making comments about safety being a non issue is being irresponsible, IMO. If you or anyone thinks I'm being an old lady about this, so be it. I don't care what people might think, but I do care about the welfare of the electrically uninformed.
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 22:10
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Statistically, about one person a week dies in the US from electrocution, and most of those are homeowners 'working' on their elec system.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 29 Nov 2013 23:11 - Edited by: Truecabin
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its a finger tingle if you are on dry rubber shoes its a jolt if you are kneeling on dirt and can be dangerous if you are touching a waterpipe
like a label on harbor freight tape measure who is going to wear safety glasses
safety is good but crying wolf is not
its good for a person to really know if he ought to be messing with electricity or stay away from it, cant help anybody with that on the internet
in the usa 100 people die every day in car wrecks nobody says stay out of cars people do what they need to do
a lot of people can figure it out when they get going
they need to get going and cant because its hard to find straight talk on the internet
what happens if you touch 120v?
not much if your insulated or painful if your on dirt thats all i really know
maybe your dead if your grounded on a waterpipe or in a flooded basement or in a bathtub of water
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 1 Dec 2013 11:47
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don and bldg i know what you are saying but some people need straight answers too the whole internet cant be like harbor freight labels
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ILFE
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2013 23:50 - Edited by: ILFE
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Quoting: Truecabin don and bldg i know what you are saying but some people need straight answers too the whole internet cant be like harbor freight labels
I agree.
I also know that a person had damned sure respect electricity. If they don't, hopefully they will live to learn from their mistake. Unfortunately, many do not.
Personally, I never take chances with any power. I even show respect to the 12vdc portion of my solar array. I figure that, if I forget to do it there, I may forget to do it to the 220vac that is common here.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2013 19:52 - Edited by: optimistic
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Are you seriously risking your life of this cra*??
Is it worth it? Amazed at how people choose to risk their lives over silly little things.
I actually installed this Leviton inlet this weekend with my father in law. It was easy but we didn't like the fact, safety wise, that it just sits in the wall like that without a box.. So because we didn't have any electric box we covered it with electric tape... And guess what?!?!
Still didn't like it! Why should I cheapen on an electric box that costs $2 plus spend a little more time to make me, and my wife, safer????
We drove to HD (1.5 hours round trip) got what we need and it's done.
I value my life AT LEAST at $2 and 1.5h of driving... 8)
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2013 20:14 - Edited by: MtnDon
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Thing is, it is not just you; it is anyone who visits.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2013 21:28
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Quoting: optimistic Are you seriously risking your life of this cra*??
good question
or is 1.5 hours on the road more risk than the cabin i bet more risk than 20 years at the cabin 100 people die every day on the road
its all choices but goodyou made it
good to finish things out right too
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