generator issues

[davel1971]

I have a Coachman 5th wheel with a Progressive Industries EMS hardwired protection unit. Recently bought a Champion generator that has a 30 amp RV plug already on generator. Tried to use for first time Saturday, and get a E2 fault, open ground. Does the generator need any type of grounding or is there a possible problem with my new generator?

[fonzie]

Get one of these done and problem solve.......

Generator Ground-Neutral Bonding | No~Shock~Zone

[davel1971]

I've come across that while researching, but was wondering if it would be necessary or not since it has an RV outlet on it. You would hope they would have addressed this.

[jmsokol]

Originally Posted by davel1971

I've come across that while researching, but was wondering if it would be necessary or not since it has an RV outlet on it. You would hope they would have addressed this.

Seems like a logical thing to do, right? But I'm pretty sure that Champion has not bonded the neutral-ground on this generator just because it has a TT-30 outlet. Adding a G-N bonding plug to the 20-amp receptacle is cheap and easy while connected to your RV, and it can easily be removed if you want to use this generator to power your home electrical system via a proper transfer switch.

Mike Sokol
No Shock Zone

[youroo]

Originally Posted by jmsokol

Seems like a logical thing to do, right? But I'm pretty sure that Champion has not bonded the neutral-ground on this generator just because it has a TT-30 outlet. Adding a G-N bonding plug to the 20-amp receptacle is cheap and easy while connected to your RV, and it can easily be removed if you want to use this generator to power your home electrical system via a proper transfer switch.

Mike Sokol
No Shock Zone

Seems like Expert advice since Mike (Wrote the Book!) Youroo!!

[jmsokol]

Originally Posted by youroo

Seems like Expert advice since Mike (Wrote the Book!) Youroo!!

I plan to send of copy of my No~Shock~Zone book to the engineering department at Champion. They could easily include a G-N plug with this model generator and document when to use it.

Please email me a picture of your generator with a G-N bonding plug if you can. I'll send that along to Champion as well. My email is listed below.

Mike Sokol
No Shock Zone
mike@noshockzone.org

[youroo]

Mike I was just (Backing You Up) I have a Honda Gen! Maybe PI needs to include a Check List also about (SOME Gen) not working with their units (Without THE PLUG) Mod? Youroo!!

[davel1971]

I'll be making one this week and post results here. Thanks

[davel1971]

If anyone else has any solutions, ideas or input, please add

[f5moab]

I believe you can flip the bypass switch on the remote display. It will bypass the unit, but still give surge protection. Never tried it since I did the plug.

From manual:
Bypass switch: This switch is located on the remote panel, and allows the user to bypass the computer circuit in the EMS in the event of computer failure, thus allowing source power into the RV. This does not disable the surge protection portion of the EMS

[davel1971]

I thought about doing that, but since I just put in a new ac unit the same day, wasn't taking any chance of frying anything.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by davel1971

I have a Coachman 5th wheel with a Progressive Industries EMS hardwired protection unit. Recently bought a Champion generator that has a 30 amp RV plug already on generator. Tried to use for first time Saturday, and get a E2 fault, open ground. Does the generator need any type of grounding or is there a possible problem with my new generator?

That's because the generator is not grounded . there is a place on the genset to add a ground wire . I use a solid piece of copper run it into the ground and then have a 8ga wire with a clip on it hooked into the generator .

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by northstar1960

That's because the generator is not grounded . there is a place on the genset to add a ground wire . I use a solid piece of copper run it into the ground and then have a 8ga wire with a clip on it hooked into the generator .

Incorrect.
It needs a neutral bonded plug as suggested by fonzi.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[HONDAMAN174]

When I run a single honda 2000, I use the grounded plug. When both units are parrelled, I have to flip the bypass switch.

[jmsokol]

Originally Posted by northstar1960

That's because the generator is not grounded . there is a place on the genset to add a ground wire . I use a solid piece of copper run it into the ground and then have a 8ga wire with a clip on it hooked into the generator .

That's not true. You're confusing earth grounding with neutral bonding. The ground rod by itself doesn't provide the correct low impedance "ground" path back to the neutral, so many EMS protectors (Electrical Management Systems) will interpret it as an open "ground" and shut down the power.

Portable generators feeding a single load system such as an RV don't require a ground rod of any type to be Code compliant. However, they really should be Ground-Neutral bonded since a lot of modern electronics will behave badly without a ground plane tied to the neutral.

Mike Sokol
No Shock Zone

[jmsokol]

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

When I run a single honda 2000, I use the grounded plug. When both units are parrelled, I have to flip the bypass switch.

I've encountered this before. It's caused because the interconnecting jumpers between the two gensets are not color coded, so there's a 50/50 chance of getting the one generator's polarity flipped. If you're using a companion generator, then that's the one that should have my G-N bonding plug installed. If you're using an aftermarket kit with a separate TT-30 outlet, then you should mark your jumper cables with colored electrical tape to be sure you connect them with proper polarity each time you hook up. There's no damage done to the generators if they're connected out of polarity, but it will make your EMS think that the Neutral and Hot have been reversed which is shutting you down.

Mike Sokol
No Shock Zone