Posted: 1/5/2011 6:42:54 AM EDT
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I recently bought the Champion 3500/4000 watt gen from Tractor supply. Of the several types of receptacles the only one you can get max power out of is an RV-type receptacle (120v, 20A). I've been looking for an adapter, a cord, something to get that power into either 120 V home-type outlets (male to female), OR from the gen into a 120V home receptacle and run things through my breaker box (male to male, shutting off main and most breakers so I only run a few things).
Anyway, where do I find an adapter to accomplish either one of those? Additional thoughts are encouraged - I was "licensed" to run big diesel gens in the .mil but don't remember shit - this is my first home unit. |
Your local Home Depot or similar type store should have all the parts you need to make whichever idea you like... Electrical supply stores (DUH!) will also work... 
...also >>> online retailers like this can also be helpful... 
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The backup power infrastructure at my office requires all sorts of unusual adapters, pigtails, and specialized cordsets for us to stay running during a prolonged outage. For example, I've had to charge rackmount UPS units equipped with L5-30 twistlock plugs directly from portable generators that have L14-30 receptacles. I've also had to run workstations, wireless bridges and other equipment with conventional 15A plugs from UPS units that only have twistlock receptacles on-board.
Like you, I couldn't find what I needed in a ready built commercial product, so I started making everything I needed myself. Here's a pic of some of the adapters, pigtails, and specialized cordsets I've had to put together at work: 
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Quoted:
Thanks a ton - just went to my electrical supply folks and got the pieces and parts to make my own. Excellent! Good luck 
I tend to use 10/3 or 10/4 SOOW cable when putting together the pigtails and cordsets at work. It's flexible yet rugged and heavy enough to easily handle the rated load of whatever I'm attaching to it. Also running 10/4 SOOW at home to connect the generator's external weather tight box to the transfer switch inside. |
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Quoted:
I recently bought the Champion 3500/4000 watt gen from Tractor supply. Of the several types of receptacles the only one you can get max power out of is an RV-type receptacle (120v, 20A). I've been looking for an adapter, a cord, something to get that power into either 120 V home-type outlets (male to female), OR from the gen into a 120V home receptacle and run things through my breaker box (male to male, shutting off main and most breakers so I only run a few things). Anyway, where do I find an adapter to accomplish either one of those? Additional thoughts are encouraged - I was "licensed" to run big diesel gens in the .mil but don't remember shit - this is my first home unit. If you want heavy duty pre-maid google GENTRAN they have every possible combo....A little $$$$$$$ but good quality |
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Quoted:
Of the several types of receptacles the only one you can get max power out of is an RV-type receptacle (120v, 20A). A standard 120 volt RV receptacle is good for 30 amps, and that's the same type that Champion installs on some of their models. 
Easiest solution would be to buy a mating plug for it, a couple of ordinary 15 or 20 amp 120 volt wall receptacles, a metal junction box and front plate for said receptacles, and a short length of heavy-gauge wire. Connect both wall receptacles in parallel, mount them in the junction box, and connect the other end to your 30 amp RV plug. |