Portable Generator Breaker switch..

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by GASPEDDLER

Guys, is this adapter all I would need for my setup? My TT is 30amp and my generator also has the 30 amp 120/240 4 prong outlet. Also the gen plug has a 120/240 toggle switch located next to the 4 prong plug in question and I'm guessing choosing 240 v would be a mistake, Or would it matter since the adapter would eliminate one leg of the 240 from entering my TT. My generator is 5550 continuous watt and 8500 watt start up rated, would that power a 15k AC? Sorry to hijack the thread and thanks in advance.

Yes you should be OK with this adapter but you will only have about 23 amps available to power your trailer as it is a 5550 continuous watts generator. It should power your 15K AC but will have to do load management not to overload circuit breaker on generator.

[GASPEDDLER]

Originally Posted by fonzie

Yes you should be OK with this adapter but you will only have about 23 amps available to power your trailer as it is a 5550 continuous watts generator. It should power your 15K AC but will have to do load management not to overload circuit breaker on generator.

Fonzie, I'm i wrong to assume my 15k ac will pull about 15 amps? Am I low in my estimate? What's the best way to gauge usage? I have a surge suppressor I could use with a digital display but I wonder if fluctuations in current by the generator might cause the suppressor to cut off electricity to the TT.

[fonzie]

Your 15K AC unit will draw app. 15 amps running. On start up it might draw up to 30 amps but for a very short duration which with the rating of your generator should be able to handle it. It all depends on how much extra load is already being used eg: water heater, fridge, converter etc etc....I use a progressive industries EMS management and I can see directly how much is being used at any time. For your surge suppressor only you can test and see how it works with generator and TT load hook up. It's never a clear cut answer with electricity usage as a lot of factors have to be taken into account.

[speedjester]

If you don't own a circuit tester.. I would be worth it to pick one up... Been to a few campsites and was able to catch messed up 50amp plugs before any damage... One had a 240 leg... ( camp site maintenance guy said it was wired correctly one of his guys changed it a few days ago..had to take him to another site to show him) that would have been a costly mistake... And more than a few had one of the 120 legs dead....

So now before I level up...I get out and check the outlet...(grounds, neutrals and legs)

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by speedjester

If you don't own a circuit tester.. I would be worth it to pick one up... Been to a few campsites and was able to catch messed up 50amp plugs before any damage... One had a 240 leg... ( camp site maintenance guy said it was wired correctly one of his guys changed it a few days ago..had to take him to another site to show him) that would have been a costly mistake... And more than a few had one of the 120 legs dead....

So now before I level up...I get out and check the outlet...(grounds, neutrals and legs)

SAY IT LOUD, BROTHER!!!!!!!!

This excellent advice above cannot be repeated enough until we all practice this. If you don't have any kind of electrical management system that will automatically shut down power if something is wrong.....then you must make it part of the camping ritual to test the outlets EVERY time before you connect.

If you don't know how, or may even want to make a plug n play tester....then you can gain that wisdom from this site:

http://www.myrv.us/electric/

[hrlyguy2]

After reading everything here.
So A 50 amp rv needs a generator adapter 50 to 30 amp .But cannot use a dog bone adapter and a 30 amp cord too!!
Just making sure when the time comes I will set if needed
Generac 6500 watt generator.And 8500 start up

Since we on this thread already .
Thanks

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by wmtire

SAY IT LOUD, BROTHER!!!!!!!!

This excellent advice above cannot be repeated enough until we all practice this. If you don't have any kind of electrical management system that will automatically shut down power if something is wrong.....then you must make it part of the camping ritual to test the outlets EVERY time before you connect.

If you don't know how, or may even want to make a plug n play tester....then you can gain that wisdom from this site:

RV Electric

Wmtire..

Thank you for such a helpful and informative Link .. There is so much information to be learned on that website and videos .. I and the wife are fairly new to Rving .. less then a years exp. Nobody .. from both dealers of which we purchased units from included that information during delivery.. And from all the friends and 4 locations we currently camp at this topic of checking the Electrical hook up prior to using has never been brought up nor have I witnessed anyone doing.. A definite new procedure for us prior to setup ... Thanks again

[wmtire]

You're very welcome. As speedjester pointed out, you really do not know what has happened at ANY outlet previous to you plugging in. You never know what the previous camper, electrician, or park person may have done before you..........or shorted out.

Also as with anything electrical or mechanical, things just break or wear out.

I would advise even checking your own generator before plugging in, as things can become loose/disconnected from the vibrations when running.

You may be lucky and never encounter a problem...........but it's that one time you do catch a problem that makes you glad you did check first. There are actually many posts in these forums just like speedjesters, so it's more common than one may think.

You can also purchase either hardwired or portable Electrical Management Systems (EMS) that will do a lot of this checking automatically for you.....as well as having a surge protector.

Here is a link to a 50 amp hard wired one.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm

A surge protector is another good item to have...... which you can purchase as a cheaper standalone item, or built into an EMS.

[TURBS]

Ok I have to put my 2 cents in this thread.

If any of these generators have the 240/120 30 amp four female outlet you will NOT have 30 amps available!

The 240/120 outlet has a floating neutral and has a max amps of 30 on the "240v" side which you will not be using.
Since you've dog boned it down you'll be using the "120v" portion of this outlet and MAX amps will be cut in half to 15 amps.

Been there done that!

Turbs

[TURBS]

To slightly edit my above post you'll have 15 amps on each leg available.
For a total of 30 and from my experience 15 amps on each leg will be absolutely marginal.
More like 12-13 amps.



Turbs

[Vonner]

Ok... now for an update .. Using the 4 prong to 50 .. I had no issue running my AC 15k .. I also turned on all lights one tv ( smaller one in the Bedroom) .. but when I tried to run the microwave .. Boom all shut down.. I checked fuse box ( circuit panel) and nothing popped .. Checked the Generator and the Breaker again popped ..

Now I have another concern .. Upon starting the generator again and walking into the trailer I noticed a Green light blinking on the circuit panel .. I do not recall this green light blinking .. Is this normal.. I checked everything and nothing seems wrong all lights AC, tv etc turns back onl.. I tried to read the microscopic wording around the light.. But these eyes aren't what they used to be.. Checked my manual as well as online.. Cant find anything on what this green light represents ..

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by hrlyguy2

After reading everything here.
So A 50 amp rv needs a generator adapter 50 to 30 amp .But cannot use a dog bone adapter and a 30 amp cord too!!
Just making sure when the time comes I will set if needed
Generac 6500 watt generator.And 8500 start up

Since we on this thread already .
Thanks

It is best to have the proper adapter if you want to have double the current available from your generator if it has 120/240 30 amps receptacle. With your 6500 watt generator(dual voltage), you should be able to have 27 amps per line (total 54 amps) to feed your 50 amp RV plug. If you use a dog bone 30 to 50 RV adapter as shown in this thread, then you will only have 27 amps total available to feed your 50 amp RV plug.

Here is good site that explains RV electrical.

RV Electrical Systems

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

To slightly edit my above post you'll have 15 amps on each leg available.
For a total of 30 and from my experience 15 amps on each leg will be absolutely marginal.
More like 12-13 amps.



Turbs

Turbs what you mention here is correct if the OP had a 3600 watt dual voltage (120/240 volts) generator with a 30 amp receptacle. Since he has a 5550 watt generator, my post #7 is correct in this instance.

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by Vonner

Ok... now for an update .. Using the 4 prong to 50 .. I had no issue running my AC 15k .. I also turned on all lights one tv ( smaller one in the Bedroom) .. but when I tried to run the microwave .. Boom all shut down.. I checked fuse box ( circuit panel) and nothing popped .. Checked the Generator and the Breaker again popped ..

Now I have another concern .. Upon starting the generator again and walking into the trailer I noticed a Green light blinking on the circuit panel .. I do not recall this green light blinking .. Is this normal.. I checked everything and nothing seems wrong all lights AC, tv etc turns back onl.. I tried to read the microscopic wording around the light.. But these eyes aren't what they used to be.. Checked my manual as well as online.. Cant find anything on what this green light represents ..

As I mentioned in post #21, you have to manage your load. Depending how your appliances are connected into your ac distribtiton panel, either on L1 or L2, you can overload the circuit on that particular line and trip the main circuit breaker on the generator. Remember you only have 23 amps per line and not 50 as if you were hooked up to a power post at a campground.

For your green light, check this tread.....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...nel-69152.html

[hrlyguy2]

Asked the company Generac about it.
this is what I recieved.


Thank you for contacting Generac Power Systems. My name is Sara and I will be assisting you*today. At this time we do not manufacture an RV adapter for the generator. Also, to get the full output of the generator, you will have to use all outlets. If you have any other questions please let us know. Again thank you for contacting Generac and have a great day!

*

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by hrlyguy2

Asked the company Generac about it.
this is what I recieved.


Thank you for contacting Generac Power Systems. My name is Sara and I will be assisting you*today. At this time we do not manufacture an RV adapter for the generator. Also, to get the full output of the generator, you will have to use all outlets. If you have any other questions please let us know. Again thank you for contacting Generac and have a great day!

*

Not much information here....more like bla bla bla........

[TURBS]

Is this a gp series generac that we are speaking of?

Because the op clearly states he is using the 4 prong 240/120 plug in.
Which is the dual outlet.


Turbs

[GASPEDDLER]

Anyone see a problem with me running my 5500/8500 generator in the back of my truck in case of bad weather (rain). I will open the tailgate and all three windows to allow for ventilation/cooling. I also plan to park the truck downwind and at a distance from the TT. This will also prevent me from having to unload the 170 pounder.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by GASPEDDLER

Anyone see a problem with me running my 5500/8500 generator in the back of my truck in case of bad weather (rain). I will open the tailgate and all three windows to allow for ventilation/cooling. I also plan to park the truck downwind and at a distance from the TT. This will also prevent me from having to unload the 170 pounder.
Attachment 64830

I would if I had a topper.

Albeit we have dry camped with gennie running in a full downpour.

They do get hot so ventilation is key especially since there air cooled.
Check on it occasionally when first starting.

Only thing I'd be concerned about is a fuel leak and subsequent explosion!

[emoji602] [emoji602] [emoji602] [emoji599]

Turbs

[GASPEDDLER]

Good point Turbs. I guess I'll only leave in the back of truck if the weather turns to rain, otherwise it will stay on the ground. I'm also hoping for cool weather so there should not be a need to run generator to power the ac. Although there's no way to know whether it will be in the 40's or 90's in November in Texas.