Order of Power...

[nathantoensing]

Just wondering if anyone knows (or how I can find out)...
1. If the generator is running and I'm plugged into shore power simultaneously, which source has priority.
2. When leaving our site should I start the generator first then unplug shore? Or do I need to unplug shore then start the generator?
3. Is OK to leave the A/C's running while making that transition from gen to shore or shore to gen?!?

Thanks y'all!


--Nathan
2016 38a

[dan-nickie]

1. Generator has priority.
2. If I am going to run the gen while traveling, I will start the gen then unplug.
3. Although I have left the A/C's running in the past, I have gotten in the habit of turning them off during the transition. Many people say it's hard on the transfer switch to transition with the large load on. I leave everything else on while transitioning.

[nathantoensing]

Perfect Dan! Thanks much!!


--Nathan
2016 38a

[Phil57]

We do exactly as Dan recommend. I've not had an issue so far.

[NO3putt]

We always turn off ACs, unplug then start generator. Yes the generator has pirority on the ATS, but just don't like the idea of two power sources at one time on the ATS.

[5456Mich]

I have a question pertaining to this topic ( sort of ) if I may ask it here.
Now that I took the house batteries out ( I have the shut off switch in that compartment off ) can I plug the shore line back in with out any power doing any damage ?

I will be picking up new batteries in the next day or so. 135.00 ea. w/ trade in of the old ones.

[Phil57]

No idea. I would think a charge would be sent to the batteries but if you turn the inverter off would that stop the charge? Maybe tape off the positive cable? Someone smarter than me will be along soon.

[ScottBrownstein]

OK, first things first. While it will probably be fine to let the transfer switch sense the generator and switch over without first disconnecting the shore power, it is not a good idea to leave the ACs on while this is happening. Couple of things come to mind. First, you will be drawing a lot of power through the relay contacts on the transfer switch and breaking and then making the generator side will probably arc them and could at some point weld them together. This would cause the switch to fail. In addition, you are dropping the power to the AC compressors and then switching over to a new source, which is not really a nice thing to do to a sealed compressor under any circumstances.

So you don't have to trip breakers or anything while firing up the generator, but I would turn off the ac during the transition. Can't do much about the water heater which is also a significant load as well. I would doubt that the relay is designed to be switched under heavy load. It will work...for a while....

[nathantoensing]

OK so I turned off A/C's then fired the generator. About 4 minutes later disconnected shore. When I did that it ran on the inventor for 2 min before switching to the gen. When hooked up tonight basically same thing but reverse. Turned A/C's off, plugged into shore, (EMS said all was good) 5 min later I went inside and turned off generator. Inverter was on for about 30 seconds before switching to shore? If I didn't have the inventor the refrigerator and everything else would take quite a hit being powered off then almost immediately back on? Does this seem correct?


--Nathan
2016 38a

[dan-nickie]

With the inverter off, switching from shore power generator is seamless.
With the inverter off, switching from generator to shore power, all your televisions and microwave cetera will get a glitch.
I guess I haven't tried switching from generator to shore power with the inverter on.

[boowho]

Biggest thing is the gen should not be shut down with a major load on it. Supposedly it could damage to the gen set.

Boowho??