NO, NO, NO.
A 5-30 is VERY different from a 14-20, which should be obvious.

Fix the L14-20 and do the job properly.

I appreciate your response, and, yes I do know the difference between the two plugs.

I don't think you understand my question.

To restate, I want to replace the L14-20 plug on the power cord with a L5-30 plug.

The new L5-30 plug on the power cord will be plugged into the unused L5-30 receptacle on the generator.

Please re-read my post and let me know what you do not understand.

No re-reading necessary.

Like I said, A 30A 120V receptacle is very different than a 120/240V 20A receptacle.

It can be done, but you will get 1/3 less capacity and have no 240V capability, so almost certainly rewiring is in order. But as you say, you know the difference so you you know this.

Fix the loose receptacle and do the job right.
You will spend money and doing more work by hacking it up doing it wrong.

Did you note the L5 has one fewer pin than the L14?

O.K. - I guess I should have started out my post by saying I'm not in any way, shape, or form an electrician. Thus the reason I ask questions on this forum.

If I understand what the both of you are saying is if I try to put the l5-30 plug on then I would be left with 1 unused wire on the power cord???

I certainly don't understand why they would put a l5-30 - receptacle on the generator in the first place if it cant' be hooked up to a transfer switch.

I'm just trying to find a low cost solution for my neighbor.

I'm not even sure how I would even begin to get access to that area of the generator as it appears to be sealed in a plastic case and I can't find much about this generator on the web.

Guess I'll have to tell her to shell out the big bucks to get it properly repaired.

No I'm not saying that.

They put an L5 on there NOT because they wanted you to connect it to a transfer switch but they envisioned you wanted to connect it to a larger (>20A) 120V load. An L5 pin configuration gives you 120V ONLY. L6 gives you 240V (no 120) only. An L14 provides both the 120 and 240.

The lowest cost solution is likely to just fix the generator. That whole front panel with the receptacles come off when you remove the eight screws (four on top and four on the bottom). The owner's manual shows that in the section on how to get to the fuses. You can find the owners manual as a PDF if you don't have one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Owner's Manual

Hey ronnatalie,

Thanks for the response.

I'm still a little confused about the l5-30 connection and the "why" as to connecting to a larger (>20A) 120V load? What kind of applications would this be used ? Just curious.

In any case, thanks for the link to the EF6600 owners manual. Her generator is a EF6000, which I cant seem to find a OM on the web . I imagine they are similar but for the life of me, I did not see any access screws on the front panel of her generator. Perhaps they are covered with dirt and grime, or have plugs that hide the screws --- I'll give it another look tomorrow.

I appreciate you giving me some direction in helping a neighbor in need.

Thanks.

You have to realize this generator wasn't designed as a household standby power. It was designed to bring power to situations where there wasn't power PERIOD. Contractors, etc.... might have 240V loads or they might just have large 30A 120V loads.

I posted the EF6000 manual link in previous message.

RVs or campers might use 120v only.