How To Make A 50 Amp Generator Cord | Build your own Generator Cable

In this video I will show you how to make a 50 amp generator cord. By choosing to build your own generator cable, you can oftentimes get a bigger and/or longer cord for less money than buying one that is already made. You can also customize the generator extension cord by choosing what plugs to add to it. All of this will depend on your portable generator, it's outlets, and your intended hookup.

Products used in the video:

Tools used to install:

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Blessings,
Adam

[JJHDZ]

Wow! Another great inspirational video.
THANK YOU for your time and sharing your knowledge.

[MrHadite]

Thanks again! Just purchased the WGen 9500 DF and was having a heck of a time trying to figure out what cord configuration I needed for 50 amp hook up. You have saved the day again... Thanks, subbed!

[jamesborton]

It is always best to spend your money on the wire going from the outlet generator box to the electrical panel. I always recomend #6 awg to accommodate 50 amps. This IS BEST practice even if you have only a 30 amp generator output.
SOMEDAY, you will UPGRADE to a 50 amp output generator and you would ALREADY have the correct wire installed.

[PelukaUSA]

BEST EXPLANATION EVER..!!! THANK YOU...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

[yamspaine]

Seeing this helped me. That is a 3 prong with a ground... so I may be able to get an adapter. I was thinking I needed a 4 prong plug on the house and this answers it methinks...

[erikthered]

What does the metal point in the middle of the 50 amp plug do? And thank you very much for explaining this for us!! Your video is top notch!!

[raymondgarafano]

The NEC states that signage be used when back-feeding. So it means a sign at the panel says
upper two breakers on r. side connect to gen receptacle, and a special bolt used to secure said
breakers. Also u can get a mechanical transfer device that links with the Mains and gen breaker.
this means The MAINS breaker MUST be in the OFF position to allow GEN breaker to be placed
in the ON position. this is LEGAL.

[miknrene]

The connector body you installed almost certainly came with instructions that include the prescribed dimensions for cover removal and strip length. No need to guess at those things.

[mae]

If you have a 50 amp inlet plug to the breaker, but only have a 30 amp generator, could you make a cord with a 30 amp 4 prong plug for the generator end and a 50 amp female plug for the inlet end?

[raymondgarafano]

I made a gen corset using a heavy cord SO or SJ but for rugged environment. I put the red
on X at both ends and the black on Y at both ends. maybe it does not make a difference
electrically but if there was a problem, u'd expect continuity.. say ur looking at both ends
of the cord set neutral towards you and ground opposite, then the Hot prong on left of one
end should have continuity with left prong of other end.

[pavelsanchez]

Very good video and have a question: how I reduce the high amp consumption on my 4 ton Ac Carrie to running a generator for the complete house. Thank you for your time on your excellent videos

[brycebarger]

Thank you for the video. I have a XP12000E DuroMax and I'm trying to determine if I need to go with the 30 amp set up or the 50 amp set up. It's a 9500 running watts so im leaning more towards a 50 amp set up and I'm thinking it will give me more power to run a few more breakers in the house at once. If you can let me know what you think about that it is much appreciated!

[Scotty_in_Ohio]

may not be a major concern for this type of make up but I would look into using a torque screw driver for those connector lugs - again it may not not matter all that much for a cable being used temporarily and without much current load but where it's a more permanent install (say for an EV's EVSE) not having the lugs properly tight can be an issue...

[victor]

I'm still installing an interlock and would move the dryer breaker (now generator) to the top right

[jerryf]

Could you run both the 30amp AND 50 amp to the panel to get more amps available?

[Ssbad]

I was wondering how a 3 prong recipticle works on 4 wires. I just noticed the green ground wire goes to the metal on the outside not a prong. That explains it..

[sLegoFan]

How far did you insert the wires into the colored holes X, Y, G, W? I just want to insert the copper wire but not the insulation? Looks like there is room but I don’t want to shove the wire too far

[tophattommy]

This is the second of your videos that I watched for considerations regarding wire gauge to use.... Neither mentioned it. :(

[victor]

I have a question. I have a second dryer outlet. Can I change it into a 30 or 50 amp inlet?

[rexrosier]

Great video as always. I’m confused about sizing though. The 50 amp cords I see online say they’re rated for up to 12, 000 watts. I’m installing a Generac 15000/22, 500 portable. Would a cord with 6 gauge wire bee enough to carry the load?