Best way to "lengthen" 30' whip?

[75Shark]

Can anyone here help me determine the best way to increase the length of the whip that comes with the pre-packaged Generac's? I have a 16kw with a 16 circuit TS, which came with 30 feet of pre-installed cables. I have run those to the furthest they can reach, and need to go about another 30 feet. Rather than running all new cables, I wanted to install a junction box similar to the box that mounts on the outside of the house (with a terminal block for 3 ring terminals). I can not locate a place to buy these. So I am open to suggestions. Can I just use split nuts and rubber tape?

I appreciate any help you can provide.

[Duane Pulliam]

That's exactly what I did to lenghten mine about 13'. I used the appropriate sized copper split bolts and 3M rubber tape. I then wrapped vinyl electical tape over the rubber tape just to make sure it didn't come loose. I used wire nuts and vinyl tape to make the connections for the four control wires. I used a 6" x 6" plastic junction box from the borg under the house and screwed it to the bottom of the floor joists. I probably could have got by with a smaller j-box but I wanted plenty of working room. I reconnected the plastic connector plug for the control wires at the end of the run in the box on the outside of the house with wire nuts and vinyl tape. Has worked perfectly since install in Jan. 07.

[Kelly Myers]

If it matters, According to Generac, the 30' can only be extended 10' in order to retain UL approval.

[75Shark]

If it matters, According to Generac, the 30' can only be extended 10' in order to retain UL approval.

Well...I think that puts a kink in my plans. What are the dangers involved in adding more than 10'? How would one proceed if the generator, due to house and property layout, has to be more than 40' from the switch?

[Kelly Myers]

Well...I think that puts a kink in my plans. What are the dangers involved in adding more than 10'? How would one proceed if the generator, due to house and property layout, has to be more than 40' from the switch?

According to Generac, you must upsize the wire. IMO, you should simply use the NEC codebook to size your wire.

[75Shark]

According to Generac, you must upsize the wire. IMO, you should simply use the NEC codebook to size your wire.


Unfortunatley, I do not have the NEC codebook, and my local code enforcer does not seem to be much help. Is there another resource to look to for proper wire size (I will search the web after this post).

Thanks.

[Kelly Myers]

http://www.paigewire.com/calculatorinstructions.htm

[75Shark]

Thanks Kelly. I will go through this exercise tomorrow.