Extension Cords On A Generator? No, Yes, Mbe...

Can you use extension cords with a generator to your run your appliances and power your house? I answer the questions. More generator vids: • How To Connect Generat...
7500 Watt Elect Start Generator amzn.to/2V3adPw
9500 Remote Start amzn.to/2NjXRyq
7500 Dual Fuel amzn.to/2AO4Ddb
12 gauge Ext cord with lighted triple outlets amzn.to/3kkUoiE
14 gauge Ext Cord with lighted triple outlets amzn.to/2ZOxfvu
Get my Email News: www.gardenfork.tv/sign-up-for-...
Tools I use in my vids (affiliate links) www.amazon.com/shop/gardenfor...
Check out my Shop on Amazon (this is an affiliate link) www.amazon.com/shop/gardenfork
GF Shirts Sweaters & More teespring.com/stores/gardenfo...
iTunes GF Radio podcast: goo.gl/4CCenA
Instagram: / gardenfork
Facebook Discussion Group / 1692616594342396
Facebook Page: / gardenfork
Pinterest: / gardenforktv
More great DIY, Cooking, Gardening, Home Improvement, Urban Homesteading videos and info on our site: GardenFork.TV
Amazon and some other links are affiliate links, we get a small finder's fee for referring purchasers to their sites. Its part of how we pay for producing GardenFork
Produced by GardenFork Media LLC, Brooklyn, NY ©2021 all rights reserved
All embeds must live link to www.GardenFork.TV or / gardenfork
No Editorial Excerpts without permission, Violators agree to pay $5,000 per second + $10 per view + all collections & lawyers fees.
If you'd like to send a card or note:
GardenFork
PO Box 130
Colebrook, CT 06021
Music: Happy Hour, Composed by Dale Herr (ASCAP) , Toast Factory Publishing (ASCAP) Recording Licensed from the UniqueTracks Production Music Library Inc. Other music used under license from AudioBlocks.

[@gardenfork]

Good Extension cords: www.amazon.com/shop/gardenfork?listId=VXSD5HC67REU 7500 Watt Elect Start Generator amzn.to/2V3adPw 9500 Remote Elect Start Generator amzn.to/2NjXRyq 7500 Dual Fuel amzn.to/2AO4Ddb

[@Awoodfaerie]

As the mechanical dummie that I am, I am learning lots of great tips as I research what type of portable generator I am going to buy. This had some really useable info!

[@MrsMaria82]

This video answered all the questions I had about the generator I bought three years ago that's still in its box. I have gotten so much conflicting information from so many people! This is definitely a keeper! Thanks!

[@DiffEQ]

And, THIS is incorrect information so why have you decided, while admitting you don't know, that THIS information is correct? Never connect your generator to an earth ground. Bond it for ground-fault protection, but never earth ground it.

[@bearbpm]

Get that generator out of the box and break it in. Then test it every so often (I test mine once a month). In the middle of a storm or middle of the night, is not the time to break open the box and try to get your generator in service.

[@mikemccarthy6939]

@@DiffEQ exactly

[@johnclyne6350]

Love your dogs & camera operator! I already know everything about generators. I’m a lineman for the power company. Love your tips! Great video! Especially love the chain & lock. Glad to you pointed out about the light duty cord is a no go. Also the killer cord. I use an interlock at my house so I can power up my entire house from my portable generator including my central air. I have the best of the best in a roll out genny. Honda EU 7000is. It delivers a rated 5500 watts continuous. However when asked? I have tested mine to 9200 watts surge. It’s rated at 7000 watts. That’s how good this genny is. It is fuel injected & an inverter. Super quiet We wear class 2 rubber gloves on poles & when touching all wires. The back feed will likely kill a cable tv man, emergency responder or a dog walker such as yourselves. Not a power lineman. Thank you for looking out for us though.

[@toga1022]

If you think the Honda EU 7000is is the "best" you don't know as much as you think you know ; )

[@johnclyne6350]

@@toga1022 As a lineman for the power company I visit lots of homes where the homeowner’s electrician has scheduled a service upgrade. Infact I was at one this past week. The homeowner said he had a generator to power up his well, furnace & refrigerator. I was working with the electrician to disconnect the house from the lawn box feeding his meter can. After we established the power was turned off I went to check on the homeowner. WELL, he was 78 years old & lugging an old roll out generator out of his garage. It was all he can do to pull it out. He was completely winded pulling it out. (This is fairly typical for the area where I work). I helped him start it & plugging it in. He had to refer to the owners manual for starting which he had nearby. He did the rest inside. I suggested he install nomenclature by means of a label maker like what I did for mine. His fuel gauge was broken indicating it was empty. He confirmed it was full by opening the fuel cap. He was able to run his loads but his generator was exceedingly loud for what little it did. Comparing my set up to his which is the norm in Connecticut. His did the job but was very loud. Mine doesn’t need any setting up. 3 switches & power is restored in my home. The only other way that would be easier would be a stand by unit. However where I live there isn’t any natural gas & propane tanks are not allowed larger than 20 pounds. A Tesla battery might be a novel idea but I think the battery is only good for hours not more than 2 days. You’d need a solar array to charge the battery but then you’re spending more money than me.

[@johnscotlinksl]

Another reason you dont want a "Longer than you need" extension cord is because of voltage drop, We dont often think about it but it is real, and not good on appliances. A thicker gauge extension cord helps nitigate this.

[@scottfrost7178]

I just got a generator. I didn't know about the ground wire. Thanks for the tip.

[@gardenfork]

Check your generator manual Scott. I've read its best to attach the ground when using extension cords. Be safe! ERic.

[@StealthReaper15]

Thanks! We had crazy flooding here in southeast KY and was looking to learn a few things about generators before we purchase one in case of another disaster down the road.

[@coquelin]

I just purchase a generator in case of an emergency or camping, no idea how to operate it or how it works, your video HELP ME A LOT!!!! thank you very much for the info. Regards from Phoenix AZ

[@georgeosborn3553]

Good tip on the back feed cable 👌 , i have done that with caution ⚠️ , there are alot of dangers involved in doing that , over heating the plugged in place ( at the house ) , back feeding the power lines ( yes it will feed back into the lines ) and very possibly killing or injuring utility workers when they grab a supposedly dead power line. Chaining that critter is a must 👌

[@barbaraadams8219]

Thank you for clarify these issues. My generator is grounded to the chassis, but the instructions state it is best tho use 12AWG copper wire connected to a copper rod in ground.

[@gre2g]

Good advice with a sense of humor Thanks !

[@nymary13]

Great video, answered so many questions. Many Thanks! Love the dogs!!

[@johnnyk617]

Awesome video I didn’t even know about the ground cable thank you 😊

[@davidpereira7669]

Thanks for all the info, great video. Love the dogs!

[@mikes1345]

12 gauge is ideal 14 is minimal but can work. A lot of the cheaper cords are 16 gauge at wally world and home improvement centers. For use with generators you are very correct telling people not to cheap out. Spend the extra money and tie it to the generator so it can be found easily in an emergency. Thanks for telling them not to backwire. Those linemen are risking their necks in bad weather and don't need to deal with other peoples careless stupidity.

[@gardenfork]

Agreed Mike, there's some scary vids on here about backfeed cables. not smart. thx, Eric.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Good advice. Unless there is a special reason for doing otherwise I always buy 12 gauge. Then, I don't have to worry about having too small a cord for most tools that I use. In terms of long term investment, it's worth paying a few dollars more.

[@condor5635]

Love the flag! Great video. Mine is manual interlock. Love the way it works. Almost wish the power would go off more often! Thanks

[@sabbir2000]

Pointed out the necessary information.. Absolutely just what I needed know.. Enjoyed it as well.. Thank you so much!!!!

[@xHICKORYx]

Should really touch on the difference between floating and bonded neutral.

[@YeagerFilm]

Good tips and to the point!

[@bigatya]

Thanks for the important information !!

[@DJ-ui2cn]

Thanks for the tips.

[@JohnnyRacerX]

Nice video....One "correction" to consider - Gas furnaces typically pull reasonable wattage and can be powered by the generator (after all they are on 15Amp circuits in many homes which is 1800W max). My high end Lennox furnace pulls about a max of 800W when the house fan is running on full. Great advice on ext cords - for this use on the 20Amp circuits I might even try to go with a 10 gauge cord to be safe....also as an alternate to the ground wire, you can make a "grounding plug" which you can plug into one of the Gen outlet. That will bond the ground to the power neutral which some electrical equipment will "require" to run on the gen...

[@barrydawg7544]

just bought a generator 6000 watt. Could I run a freezer and separate refrigerator at the same time with this unit?

[@mohamediqbal6798]

What type of Extention corde i should use for a 2.5 Kw generator, what gauge should i use

[@vietnamvet6474]

I have a Westinghouse WGen . I was wondering how I would run my icebox from a 12 gage extinction cord. It's 25ft but it don't reach my icebox. Can I run a 50ft chord [12 gage] are an extinction cord off the 25 foot. Also is a 50ft 10 gage an overkill?

[@mikepeg2125]

I installed a EZ generator switch with breaker on my furnace (there's a youtube video about it) a week after I installed it the power went out for 12 hours it worked perfect

[@gardenfork]

good to hear! Eric.

[@josephwilson729]

Great video! It was very informative and entertaining :-)

[@gardenfork]

Good to hear Joe, thx!

[@cpcattin]

How else would you get power from the generator to the load ?

[@juancarlosgallegos9668]

Muy bueno sus videos 👍 thancks

[@edtheicecreamman9913]

Great video 😃 love the dogs

[@Rccrasher716]

Helpful - thanks!

[@NormanMcGregor]

Good Video!

[@cpcattin]

Good information.

[@jojojohn9283]

Awesome information, Thank You Sir.

[@gardenfork]

Welcome!

[@lennchadful]

very educational video. thank you. i am looking to buy a smaller wattage Westinghouse generator. just to power my fridge, a TV, and maybe charge a phone/table. MAYBE let me condo neighbor us the other socket for her fridge. i dont need it to run my whole house, i think the one i am buying will work just fine for what i am going to use it for. thanks for the helpful information

[@johnhenry2390]

Question: For 2000 watts equipment, what is the best power cord to use?

[@mattspeziale7072]

Hi I have a sandwich prep station refrigerator, wattage is 264 amp draw 3.6 extension cords not to be used with it so can I safely plug my fridge directly into my generator. I have a 4500 W Westinghouse generator. Thanks for your time!

[@markbritton844]

Good information, thanks.

[@patlanfamily9108]

I bought the same generator you have. Haven’t had to use it yet I bought it after hurricane Harvey left the city without power for 5 days and last years hard freeze here in Texas. What’s your reviews on the generator?

[@shadowops3653]

Also can be used for hot water heater. Cold showers bot really my thing lol

[@johnoshea2789]

Great Video so happy i came across it. Ive a question if yo could answer it. I just about to buy a generator that has x2 16amp sockets is it possible to join the too to make a 32amp socket? as i want to connect to my house fuse board to run the house in an emergency. I not sure the just using one 16amp would be good enough or is there any other way to get 32amps from it? Thanks any help would be great.

[@briannyamaya614]

Woooww. Thank you so much Sir. 😁

[@hecmuniz9768]

Good video very good tips thank you

[@gardenfork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cliffbrown4217]

Thank you very much I do not know a darn thing about generators and I have to buy one soon, I an going to buy the generac 3600watt generator , WILL A 12 GAUGE CORD PLUG INTO IT THE SAME AS YOUR GENERATOR? please help me?

[@samras831]

Love your vdo sir, I have 3600 watts gen with no 240V outlet. I would like to know how can I power to house or plug to dryer outlet?. Thank you

[@gardenfork]

With that type of generator one would just use extension cords to power things like the refrigerator, lights and other 120 volt items. Thx!

[@lpjbird]

Using the RV outlet on 3800w inversion gen & running a cord inside with a 3 inlet plug on the end to plug in frig & freezer & maybe a premium surge suppressor for misc lights will a 10/4 type so p-123-72-msha wire cable be good running it about 70’ from gen to house? I ask this because I already have the wire cable run from a previous equipment hookup? Thanks great videos by the way.

[@gardenfork]

Sorry Jr I don’t have the answer for that , do you have any electrician friends you could ask?

[@mortneff4674]

Sorry to bust your bubble but I use my Gen to run my Furnace by using a jump wire with no Prob! I use one small one pretty much just for that and my Frig and a diff one for the rest. I also disconnect the furnace and anything else from the main house current.

[@Alpha-ms9nj]

I am going to guess that the same applies to a portable solar system with and inverter? Thanks for the information in this video btw.

[@stevekrause5931]

Great video, GardenFork, thanks! I'm trying to decide what gauge extension cord to run from my generator to my refrigerator? The spec label inside the fridge reads "7.9 amps." It's on a 15 amp circuit. The extension cord length will be less than 50 feet. Would you recommend a 12 or 14 gauge cord? Thanks again.

[@avflyguy]

Can't ever go wrong with 12 ga wire. 14 ga would probably work, but for a few bucks more why risk it. 7.9 amps at 120 volts is 948 watts . Take Ams X voltage to get watts... minus some due to resistance in a long extension cord (all the more reason to go 12 gauge wire)

[@stevekrause5931]

@@avflyguy Thanks, much! I'll go with 12-ga.

[@Tom-yj6mt]

You can back feed as long as you're smart about it. If you back feed into an outlet it will only power what's on that line and nothing else. Also, you MUST turn off the main breaker so power wont go out into the power lines. I agree that it can be dangerous, but only if you don't know what you're doing which my guess is probably a lot of people.

[@ericbrack4546]

Not correct on the outlet run part, electricity will go into the panel and try to power at least half of the whole panel. Absolutely right on the main must be off.

[@WhiteTiger1969]

Can I connect a 15A 125V heavy gauge chord to my Honda EU2000i generator? If yes, then can I connect the other end of the chord to surge protector and then use that to power cell phone charging, instapot cooker etc?

[@gardenfork]

yes, the Honda EU2000i is good for charging and running power tools, etc.

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god bless

[@Corkyrooster]

I have a hand pull start generator because I don’t want to muck with a battery especially a dead one. My champion starts on one pull, it’s not hard and I’m old and frail lol. It costs a ton more if electric start. If it’s a bigger generator then you may have too. Mine is only 206 cc. Another thing, I have never grounded mine while using it and it has never bothered anything. Am I just lucky all these decades? Lol. One more bit if I may, I always do some research before an outage on the things I’m running, add up the watts and the amp draw. I have a 3500 continuous watt with 4375 peak, two 30 amp plugs and two regular house type plug ins. Nice set up. So I add the amps up too. I can run two ceramic heaters on 750 watts (low) and the fridge at same time with spare amperage. There is two systems with each there is a 30 amp fuse on generator. It can be complicated but it’s not too bad if you have time. Ty for this vid

[@craignehring]

cords should be used in an uncoiled condition, particularly when high current loads are in use. Reason is, the coiled cord will be inducing a magnetic field into the conductors causing it to heat up more than if it was laid out straight. LOVE the lab youth

[@gardenfork]

Great info Craig, thx for that. And the pups make us all smile. 😀 Eric.

[@DiffEQ]

NONSENSE. The EM field from the conductors are ALREADY ingressing from the adjacent conductors that are running PARALLEL and in closer physical proximity. You, sir, are a hack and should stop passing on information you heard from the last guy that you though knew what he was talking about. So effing mind numbing. Ugh.

[@percyfaith11]

I'm not sure that magnetic fields cause it to heat up. Any current flow causes heat. An uncoiled cord can dissipate the heat while a coiled cord will make it harder to dissipate it.

[@nzbrotrev9028]

I run my cord to a multi plug with switches to be able to turn off what I need to to reduce the load, tip write on the multi box switches what their for .

[@lorae7]

How do you ground it? I’ve watched a ton of videos and I purchased the Westinghouse 9500 DF and never heard about needing to ground it. Can you explain more about that?

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Check your manual. There is a section that discusses grounding and your GFCI outlets. I read it, on line, while I'm waiting for my 9500DF to arrive. Hope this helps, a bit.

[@bubbatime]

That’s a large generator. If you hook it to the house using the heavy duty 4 prong cable, no need to ground it as the cord has a ground wire in it. That ground wire connects to your panel, which connects to your homes grounding rod.

[@coreyregier5546]

If you are just using extension cords plugged into the generator outlets powering appliances you do not need a grounding rod. Just be sure to use cords with a ground prong so if there is a fault the breaker will trip. In the video he showed how his generator was neutral bonded and said to ground the generator to a metal fence or something, he's confusing two different things and this is not something you should do! Being neutral bonded means the generators neutral is physically connected to the ground circuit if there is a fault in the wiring, the breaker will trip. This means his generator is already grounded, a grounding rod (earth) doesn't have anything to do with fault protection, it's a path for lightning if the generator was hooked up to a structure with a subpanel. The ground rod (earth) connection is there in case you were to hook up the generator to your subpanel in you house with a switched neutral transfer switch, so most of the time you don't need to use a grounding rod if all you're doing is using extension cords off the generators outlets. There is a difference between a ground rod (earth) and a ground on a plug. Same words, different story. There is a video that explains this well if you search "Does My Generator Need a Grounding Rod? Probably Not. Here's Why". Hope this answers your question, there's lots of misconception with grounding.

[@justindize]

6:45 I have an 8000 w dewalt gas generator.when i plug my French door refrigerator in gfi on generator trips after a few seconds.also cord I ran to furnace.i rewired with a single plug so I could unplug and extension cord from generator.but it trips right away.ive tryien the thicker 75 ft cords.if I could get furnace going wouldn5 need space heaters.has anyone ever replaced generator gfi with a regular plug so wouldn't trip and could plug a fridge or furnace into it?

[@bobbyb7127]

I have a generator with 2-20 amp receptacles. Into one I will plug in a 25 foot 12 gauge extension cord and its other end has 3-15 amp outlets. Into one of these I will plug in a refrigerator that draws 11 amps and into the others I'll plug in very small window AC, light and a fan. So in this scenario I’m good as long I don’t exceed 20 amps for the generator or 15 amps per outlet?

[@gardenfork]

You need to balance the electric load you put on the generator. Distribute the power load between the two outlets. Best to test different power setups to see how much wattage you can run at any one time.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Dude, you got a gen to take care of ur family, I have done this. The best way is to get a sparky to hook a mechanical interlock to a gen breaker to make full use of gener8or. then from GEN breaker to a weatherproof covered male fitting. If you have some experience and feel sure, u can , you can use the suicide cord. first u shut off the MAINS and lock the mains breaker in the OFF position. then u plug into the dryer outlet. there is no power on prongs at Generator end. after u warmed up gen plug into gen. you will now have power to work lites and furnace or maybe a/c unit in window. when uc lites on at neighbors. you unplug from Gen first, then at dryer side. if u unplug at dryer u have juice on the prongs! so NOT GOOD. both ends of cord MUST be unplugged before you turn on the mains. no need to freeze ur ass off but U MUST know what ur doing and WHY in a given order. Make a big sign, the NEC requires good signage or notice when putting power into a breaker when power is expected to come out of it, also said breaker to be held in place by a special bolt.

[@robertlivingston1634]

Suicide cord only takes one brain fart to kill someone, hence the name.

[@MrMichaelj101]

I have a question for you sir I am recently moving off grid I have a 5000 W Coleman generator and when I plug it into my travel trailer if I try to use the air conditioner the fan blows real slow is this generator not big enough to operate the travel trailer it’s only a 20 foot travel trailer with a small AC unit thank you very much and have a blessed day

[@user-bj4lp3fr1o]

A soft start device for your ac may help.

[@Katharinejackson-zg9kc]

I need another Tudor on tha grounding part

[@davidhammacher6193]

Can I run a fridge and 1 A/C unit

[@artpimentel5244]

I liked the price and the power rating I haven’t started it yet but it seems like a beefy machine. Like the brand name. What I didn’t like was I was promised a Bonus of a free cover if I filled out a review, tried and failed. Tried Customer Service and got no help. Hope they will be there if i really need them.

[@martyw5419]

What do you think about running your generator outside covered in the rain 🌧? P.S. love your four legged assistants🐕🐕‍🦺

[@percyfaith11]

Don't do it. There are good generator tents available.

[@boonerr79]

I’ve never wondered about this. It’s obvious.

[@carlcooney8034]

Is it safe to use that 12awg yellow extension cord plugged into the generator to run 3 things ?

[@arnoldthegreat4138]

to be honest th worst thing that will happen is the extension cord getting fried

[@coreyregier5546]

You can but like he said in the video don't have them turned on all at once or find out how much current they each need.

[@hmartin751]

Also we went out to buy one yesterday because we have no power cause of snow..we thought we could use it for our heat but turns out we can only use for space heaters and I have no hot water.. if I have it wired in house professionally at a later time I will be able to use for heat?? So very confused please help..lol..been without power for 2 days and I just want my heat and hot water to work 😫

[@AuronFFX]

it depends on what rating the generator has. if it has those 20 amp outlets you would not want to plug in a space heater and a hairdryer into the same outlet or it would trip the breaker. there's a round plug on most higher rated generators that you can use to provide power to your house for a limited number of appliances like refrigerators, water heaters and pumps. you will need a pony panel for this most likely with a transfer switch. if you want it to power your whole house a standby generator is the best way to go.

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

If you have a forced air furnace, you need to rewire with a pigtail that would plug into an outlet. If you lose power, you then unplug your furnace, like any other appliance, and run a cord from the generator to power the furnace. Floating neutral generators can be an issue with sensitive electronics electronics in the furnace. If you're going this route, I would use an inverter generator with a bonded neutral to supply power directly to the rewired furnace.

[@zainlent7677]

Where are you located?

[@kbotah2023]

The links to both extension cords do not work. Please update. Thanks

[@gardenfork]

sorry! here is our affiliate link, thx! www.amazon.com/shop/gardenfork?listId=VXSD5HC67REU

[@notumoverflow5916]

If my generator only has two outlets, is it safe to plug a power strip / surge strip into it, or will this overload the outlet?

[@oldtimerlee8820]

It's not how many items you have plugged into a power strip. It's how much power are those items pulling through the cord/strip, *at the same time* . Same principle, as if the power strip were to be plugged into a wall outlet in your home. Your generator outlets are rated in amps. Your outlets are probably rated at 20 amps. Possibly 1 is at 20 amps and another with a different style outlet for 30 amps. When using a power strip do not exceed the rating of the outlet by running too many things at the same time. For example, you can use a couple of table lamps and a clock radio at the same time. You would not run a hair dryer, microwave and a coffee maker at the same time. BTW, since you mentioned "surge strip", with some generators it is better to run sensitive electronics on a surge protector or through a UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply. Just don't overload the strip/UPS with too much in operation at the SAME time. Hope this helps.

[@TheOne_1969]

When should I change the oil on a new generator. I have a Generac gp6500. Great video

[@jshepard152]

As soon as possible. You want to remove all the metallic residue banging around in the new engine. I've changed mine 4x in a new gen that has only 8 hours of use so far. That might seem excessive, but even after 4 changes I can still see metallic glitter in the used oil.

[@Galexyglass910]

When you say it "walks" and chain it down, do you mean someone will snatch it up?

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

Depending where you live, yes.

[@Ichwillkeinenaliascheisyoutube]

If you really want to power up your House with Power from a generator, that produces enough Electricity, you need at your Electricity Distributor a Switch with 2 inputs (1 for City Power - 2 for Generator ) and 1 output, secured against each other, so there always will be only ONE Power-Source, you can use and nobody can and will ever be harmed. ( Ask an Electrician , we use automatic Power Switches between City Power and Battery powered "Generators" to secure important Company-Computers from Data Loss ) Greetings to your Helpers :-) :-) :-)

[@donnamiller2670]

So I clicked on lighted fan cord and it comes up with a random. Item

[@RobertMcDermott]

The comments are mostly about what will happen plugging in a suicide plug into a house outlet. The mention that it's illegal to back feed a generator onto a incoming line drop to your home. This is a DEADLY practice as a lineman for the Electric company who is up on a pole is working on a dead branch circuit to your neighborhood. He's checked the line & knows it is a dead feeder circuit because a tree has fallen & broken the line from the pole. For safety, He pulls the neighborhood fuse that has the line dead until he's completed his repairs & then he'll go to that fuse switch & re energize that feeder again. In the meantime, Joe has gotten out his generator & suicide plug, Filled it with gas & plugs it into his garage outlet to power up a few things in the home. That 120 or 240 volts he puts on the meter box goes back out to the pole transformer. A transformer does the job of taking approx. 13, 000 volts on the branch circuit (that wire on the top of the poles that goes into the top of a transformer hanging on it) when its operating properly, And steps it down to a relatively residential safe 240/120 volt house feed. BUT A transformer works either direction. That generator voltage goes out the breaker panel in the basement, through the electric meter, out to the pole transformer, WHERE It's stepped up to 13,000 volts AC & travels down that suddenly now live line to a block away where that lineman is restringing it through the insulator eyelet on a pole. Yes, Your right, That generator will not power that block of homes for more than a couple of seconds & pop a breaker or something else. BUT That won't save the poor lineman who knows he's working on a safely dead feeder line. He's now laying at the bottom of the pole. Just a little more info about how a grid works.

[@gardenfork]

Thanks Robert for the complete explanation. Really appreciate it. - Eric.

[@110311DONTWANTCHANNE]

um, if the generator is supposed to be 20 feet from the house, how can you not use an extension cord?

[@unfortunateson7464]

Thanks KZbin dad 🙏

[@seven430]

So will my fridge and freezer not get any damage if I use these good cords? Also. Can I charge a battery back up on the cords without damaging the battery backup? Thank you so much!

[@ciciskyewatcher6181]

Start the generator and then plug in the extension cords?

[@gardenfork]

Either way works. Don’t overload the cords or the gen 😀

[@angelinalozada189]

Cute Dogs.

[@SoloHiker1]

I love dogs.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

What do you mean don't buy a 100 foot cord if your going to only run a couple things? You can buy a 100bl foot cord and only run one thing if it's 20 amp you get 10 g if it's 15 amp you get 14 g if it's 12 a you get 14g and if its 10 a you get 12 g correct me if I'm wrong

[@oldtimerlee8820]

It has to do with voltage drop. The longer the cord, the less power goes to the item plugged into the cord. Don't buy a 100' cord if a 50' cord is long enough for your purposes. Even better is to use a 25' cord if the distance you need to span is 15' for example. The gauge determines how much power can safely go through the wire. If you need a 100' cord you may (often likely) will have to buy a much bigger cord than if you only have to run one for a few feet. The higher the capacity the more expensive the cord will become. Most any extension cord will run a light fixture that's a hundred feet from an outlet. Voltage drop is not enough to cause a problem. However, if you need to run an air compressor, for example, the further the compressor is from the outlet, the larger the extension cord will have to be. Depending on the compressor you may need an 8 gauge for 100' to compensate for voltage drop. If you only need a 25' extension cord you can possibly buy a 12 ga and save a considerable amount of money. (Actual depends on both distance and amps needed for a piece of equipment.) Another disadvantage of buying too much extension cord is the weight of the cord and keeping it from being a tangled mess. And, as noted in the video, cords should be unwound to reduce heating. It is a pain to wind and unwind a 100' cord when a 25' one will do the job. Hope this helps a bit.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

@@oldtimerlee8820 should be fine if the 100 foot cord is 10 gauge no?

[@oldtimerlee8820]

@@Brandon-no3vc It depends on the amps needed by what you have plugged into the cord. Please talk to a local electrician who can advise you on exactly what you need for your circumstances.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

@@oldtimerlee8820 they won't tell you. Do you have a chart ?

[@oldtimerlee8820]

@@Brandon-no3vc I'm sorry, but I don't. The best length of extension cord to use is based upon the physical length you need. The gauge of the cord depends on the amps you need for the cord to carry. You can use Google to look up both the length you need and the amps it will need to carry and Goggle will let you know the gauge of the wire you need to use.

[@jmaackjmaack4540]

do not ground with rod etc if using cords.

[@hardwater_junky2057]

Agree Do NOT use ground rod if generator is bonded 💥💥

[@davidhammacher6193]

Window unit

[@cyndiharrington1751]

Yes but don't overload the circuits...frig stereo microwave

[@gardenfork]

Exactly! Staggering the use of appliances is important. thx!

[@Brandon-no3vc]

You said they aren't grounded but then you go and tell us that it is grounded. And no one commented on what you said they were going to comment on haha

[@hmartin751]

So that makes absolutely no sense when I am using the generator its because we are in a storm so I can't use outside in rain or snow what is the point then?

[@luplewis9837]

Exactly, where I am power goes out either during a rain or snow storm. Which is why I wanted a generator. Seems you need to get a cover they sell to protect it from the rain or snow.

[@armando7257]

Just cover it. He explained it. If you don’t like his explanation go ahead and run it in the rain…. You’ll wish you listened..

[@leveretth]

DOGGOZE!!

[@markbroad119]

Well i know when i have my 100' cord plugged in and my generator by my neighbor's house i sleep better. Awg=American wire gauge

[@gardenfork]

Thx for the AWG! Eric.

[@tacx1]

I hope you are making money by posting videos cause you need a new coat !!!

[@Suckmesideways420]

I’m getting a Westinghouse dual fuel generator for our rv

[@Suckmesideways420]

I’ll be good and not say anything about the full load

[@nerissakolkia6353]

This ever power Good THE Videos So much power GardenFork SUBSCRIBED How fix now