50a electrical plugs?

[Pete Masterson]

FWIW, when I was looking for some romex to install the 50 Amp surge protector, I could not find 4-wire in the appropriate size for 50 amps -- I had to get 4 individual wires (not a problem for my application). Of course, it may simply have been that the home center I was at was simply out of the right product at that time. 

Do note that romex should not be used where it is exposed to direct sunlight. The UV (from the sun) will breakdown the plastic sheathing, resulting in a potential shorts. The jute and paper inside the romex absorbs water, so it can't be used where it gets wet. You might be able to get away with THWN for use in wet or dry locations -- but the sun exposure remains a concern because PVC and/or Nylon (used in the outer covering) is still subject to UV exposure damage. The National Electrical Code requires buried wires and/or use of conduit for an exposed location.

50 Amp cable carries a _lot_ of electrical potential, so you do need to be very careful with your choices. Using romex (or romex-like products) for an extension cord may seem like a practical idea, but it obviously does not meet UL or NEC standards, because there are no commercial products that use romex-like products in this manner. 

Finally, you might 'get away' with using BX (armored) flexible conduit for your "extension cord", although I'd be concerned that direct sun exposure would overheat the wires. Obviously, driving over it with your coach is very likely to destroy it.

As for the 7764 plug, I have a recessed male plug in my electrical hook up compartment that looks rather like the 7764. I was told this is a "buddy plug" where I could tap into the generator output and get the full output my generator produces -- however, the over $100 cost of a plug (that I found in searching the Internet) has dissuaded me from buying one that I'd intended to use as a 'just in case' to provide power to certain appliances in my home should a power outage occur. So, my question is, Is that really an output plug?

(Since we've only had one extended (a few hours) power outage here in the past 25 years, needing the backup power from the generator seems fairly remote. -- and I can 'tap into' the coach 120 vac system, should the need arise, with extension cords fed from normal outlets -- that would be sufficient to keep the home refrigerator and freezer 'going' to prevent spoiled food. I already have sufficient extension cords to handle that possibility.)

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Apr 14, 2008, at 9:01 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

More thanks for the continued replies. So, sounds like Hubbell 7764 is

the right one, though it does look a little long. Cooper also makes a

7764 plug; it looks too fat, but it might work, I'll have to dig up

the spec sheets on both plugs and measure. I'm assuming the original,

metal plug that came on our factory cords is no longer available? Mine

actually says "Arrow-Hart" on it.

<snip>

Of course, moving the outlet would probably be the most desirable solution,

but probably the one with the largest hassle factor.

Yeah... I'm leaning toward just making a custom 50 amp cable. I don't

personally see the difference between 20 feet of romex + 30 feet of

cable, or 50 feet of cable. If they're the same gauge of wire, it

shouldn't matter, and it's a lot easier to just buy plug ends and a

long cable and make my own than it's going to be to move the outlet.