JP.... Maybe I am wrong here, but it sounds like you are trying to provide 110 volts to both legs in your breaker panel? Is that why you are switching to the 4 wire?

 

Ok I was under the impression that in a three prong plug I had two hots and a ground and it is stamped as a 240 volt.

 

3 wire is 30 amp, there's a few variations of 30 amp. Depends, I'd have to see your generator receptacle, unless your referring to 4 wire (50 amp) which is 3 pole 4wire grounding service ? I 'll read what you got again lol. For a dryer you would need a direct 240 correct?
I'm makings my own generator cords now, well will be, I've got my supply list together and ordering SOOT wire #4 and #6 with stand alone sub boxes. Like part Massive extension cord part hard wired. I might be able to help if I have all the info.

 

The only reason I'm going to a 4 wire plug is because that's what is in my home as a 220 receptacle where the drier plugs in. I guess it's just a three prong outlet on the generator because it's older?

 

Old ways have changed for the better...thank god!

He said 4 prong, so you can't bond ground to neutral here, I think that's what your saying . In fact you should never do that whatever the case. They need to be on there own dedicated and isolated bars/blocks and stay that way.

 

This is my generator and plug setup.

 

I wish that was mine, I rented it for the day for about 75 bucks. They actually wouldn't let me pull it with my half ton because they've had too many dummies mess stuff up. I took it with my old work truck (6.7 powerstroke) in the background then hooked mine up once I was home.

 

No, I didn't understand what he was after. I said to go from 4 wire dryer to a 3 wire receptacle it needs to be bonded. Yep, it's a good change.

If his generator can handle the load I think that's what he would have to do with just two hots and a ground. I guess I would if enough time went by without power.

 

Sorry, was sidetracked lol. JP are you using a transfer switch or killing the main breaker before connecting up ? What's the idea, run as much as you can off the dryer plug? During an outage of course.

BTW, how close is the GEN to the dryer plug? Also , I don't think that's code ...in any state lol. People do it all the time...ur use to anyway. The idea is to energize only the essentials, so without a TFSW or with, you killing the main and EVERY non essential breaker before energizing correct. T max out the gens power feed/capacity.

Unless I missed it, pretty critical to know your plan. An electrician would be a big help, BUT, and I know you mention this, -your waiting on one...it's much easier preparing while you have power then without. Are you in IRMA's path? I take it you are...Man I hope that electrician shows up, priceless at this point.

So get me on the right page ..so to speak, I'll do what I can.

Personally and I have to mention this at least once, I would never think of doing this without a transfer switch (emergency situation yes, there's some things you can do). Too much risk involved being without a switch though. Not just fire and electrocution (if that ain't enough), you could easily smoke a generator, your appliances etc to the point of non fixable.

 

Looking at the plugs on that generator, it is set up for North American and Europe/Australia (240V). Brew, look at the European wiring to USA wiring charts and you will be able to wire it correctly to the 4 wire plug.

Notice that they left leg 2 off the first picture for the run.