Wildwood Lodge 392QBBS-Electrical Question

[es335]

I have some questions regarding the power supply/entrance on the 392 I have on order. Am I correct in understanding that the 50 amp electrical service is actually 240v? I know that you can operate this unit via a 120v service with a plug adapter. I believe the service would actually work better on 240? The reason I am asking is I will be using a generator for power. To eliminate as much electric draw as pssible I ordered the Lodge with a propane HWT, Fridge.

I have a brand new Honda eu3000, the RV Plug (120) is 23.5 amps. I may opt to sell it and go with a unit that has a 240 plug and more amps. If I do , is there anything special that would need to be done?

[LadyWindrider]

If you don't already know, 240 volts AC is actually two 120 volt legs. I know that each leg will run only one Air Conditioner. Usually only trailers with 2 air units require 240 volts AC. I would assume that by using the Honda generator, you will only have one Air Conditioning that will operate. I'm not sure of the rest of your wiring, and what may or may not work. Hook your generator up with an adapter and see. If you want both air units, you would need a 7200 watt generator. (Watts = Voltage times Current, thus 30 amps times 240 Volts = 7200 watts.) This would be worst case, you may get by with slightly less. Good Luck.

[es335]

Thanks. I do know about the "two legs" but I am no electrician. There is only one AC unit on my TT/Lodge. I believe the AC unit (start up)is around 9 amps so I think it will run it-but not much else....we'll see. I have also considered using the supco "hard start" capacitors SPP6E. These are supposed to hold a good bit more reserve power and draw less start up amps.

[LadyWindrider]

Since you only have one AC unit, could it be that the 50 amp service is for a larger electric water heater found in many "lodge" units? May be able to have air or hot water with your generator, just not at the same time. Just a thought.

[Bama Rambler]

Most RV's irregardless of type that have 50amp service use it primarily as (2) 120volt 50 amp feeds. A few things use 240 volts such as a clothes dryer if you have one or a residential water heater but the majority of things are only 120 volt.

Now about your question of if it would work better on 240 volts? It all depends. If you have any 240 volt appliances, then definitely! If you don't and you've already stated that it only has one A/C, it won't necessarily work better on 240 volts but it would definitely work better with 50 amps. Of course it'd take a 10kw generator to produce that much current.

[es335]

Thanks folks. What I am actually thinking of doing is keeping the Honda eu3k. Instead of using the 23.5 amp RV plug (120), I thought it might make sense to use both of the 120 , 20 Amp outlets at the same time? Granted, max for the Generator is 27amps, but since I only have 120volt appliances I would gain a couple of Amps . . .
I realize I would need ot make a special plug/cord.

[LadyWindrider]

Do some math. 23.5 amps at RV plug multiplied by 120 volts equals 2820 watts. Close to max on 3000 watt generator. Not familiar with that generator, but two 20 amp outlets, you think equals 40 amps multiplied by 120 volts equals 4800 watts. Generator can't do that. Thinking you may have two 20 amp outlets, but they are on a single breaker on the generator, so you have 20 amp max at both outlets combined. There's reason for the 50 amp service, else it would have 3p amp service. You need to find what that reason is. Already decided not two AC units, so what is it? Water heater, clothes dryer, electric oven? Bottom line, you don't have enough generator to power your camper. Do you have enough generator to power the things you need, and how do you wire for that? That's the question. I'm not trying to offend or upset anyone, just trying to get a handle on why 50 amp service required for this unit.

[LadyWindrider]

Found it on Forrest River site for the Lodge. 20 gallon electric water heater, that will be on one leg of the 240. AC unit will be on the other leg. Do you want AC or hot water? Can't have both with the Honda generator.

[es335]

I did not get the 20 Gal elect only HWT. I optd for the 10 Gal propane Elect HWT, and , the propane /Electric Fridge. I will operate both via propane. I think the only "high amp" items left would be the AC and the Microwave. Don't think I could run both but, I am back to the 15K btu AC-will it run that? I need to find out what the start amps are , and the running amps for the AC. Agree my best option would be the 23.5Amp RV plug on the Honda EU 3K

[LadyWindrider]

I have heard the 3000 watt Honda will run a 15K btu AC unitup to about 5000 ft. altitude. May not run the microwave at the same time, but no longer than the microwave runs, you can live without AC to run the microwave. Just have to turn it off. As always, try it and see, and yes, use the 30 amp RV plug on the genny and make sure the proper leg is hooked to the AC. Then the microwave may not work. Won't know till you try.Without a wiring diagram, we can only guess. The only question I have, is why buy a Lodge if you don't have power? Do you have water? Oh, and you are going to burn a lot of propane if you camp much.

[es335]

Windrider,
I went back to the Generator Dealer-he gave me a full refund-in the form of a credit for the total amount I spent on the EU 3K. Very fair in my opinion. What I am going to do is sell my Honda 5K (we bought it for the house in 1999) and then buy an EU 6500. We will use it for the Lodge and the House. There is NO question that will have enough power. It delivers 54.1/27.1 Amps 120/240 respectively.
Re power, we do not have power at our other property/cabin. We use a generator, wood burner, propane to cook We do not have water. However we have gone on weekends (other TT) and 40 plus gallons of fresh water is more than enough for 2-4 people if you are reasonably conservative. We have done that many times. Our property where the Lodge will live- 100 acres, all woods, and no utilities-eactly how I like it! My opinion-that's camping.
Why by the Lodge-square footage. We like space.

Appreciate the feedback.

[PumaPro]

Originally Posted by es335

Windrider,
I went back to the Generator Dealer-he gave me a full refund-in the form of a credit for the total amount I spent on the EU 3K. Very fair in my opinion. What I am going to do is sell my Honda 5K (we bought it for the house in 1999) and then buy an EU 6500. We will use it for the Lodge and the House. There is NO question that will have enough power. It delivers 54.1/27.1 Amps 120/240 respectively.
Re power, we do not have power at our other property/cabin. We use a generator, wood burner, propane to cook We do not have water. However we have gone on weekends (other TT) and 40 plus gallons of fresh water is more than enough for 2-4 people if you are reasonably conservative. We have done that many times. Our property where the Lodge will live- 100 acres, all woods, and no utilities-eactly how I like it! My opinion-that's camping.
Why by the Lodge-square footage. We like space.

Appreciate the feedback.

I think you hit every nail on the head in this post. I couldn't agree more with anything you're saying. The 6500 watts will be PLENTY & then some to run pretty much any household, unless you want to run a large TV, microwave, central air, and vacuum the floor all at the same time. I run our house (3600 square feet) with a 5000 watt cheapie Coleman back fed into the house (that's a whole other thread of no-no's entirely - I know). You'll do fine with the 6500.
That your dealer credited you every dollar of the purchase price for the 3000 - dude - that's your dealer forever now.
Everything you say about the camping experience - no utilities etc - again, you hit the nail right on the head. These things are made to be self contained. That's what they are for.