Can I/Should I ground my generator?

[hbidlack]

I have a Honda EU 1000 I generator. We just bought a coaching clipper 17FQ. We expect to do a lot of boondocking, so we upgraded the batteries to 2 Trojan 145 batts. As I understand it, the 110 outlets in the trailer will operate only on shore power or when the generator is plugged in.

My surge protector, when plugged into the generator, shows an open ground. There is a grounding screw on the front of the generator panel, or at least what I think looks like a grounding screw.

Should I ground the generator when operating out in a dry camping environment? If so, I would be very grateful for your advice on how to do that correctly.

Many thanks from a complete rookie.

Hal

[rsdata]

If you are only using portable cords plugged into the generator you need to do nothing. Sticking a ground rod into the dirt will not add any safety measure.

[TURBS]

You need to make a neutral bonded plug.
Then you'll plug it into one of the outlets.



2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[SeaDog]

Not sure why you would be seeing an open most generators make a complete circuit. The grounding lug is used when two generators are hooked in parallel Why are you running a surge protector with your generator I doubt you could get a surge large enough to cause any problems before the generator would trip.

[elind]

Originally Posted by TURBS

You need to make a neutral bonded plug.
Then you'll plug it into one of the outlets.



2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

That will trick the surge protector to think the generator is grounded. Some surge protectors are hardwired inside the RV.

[elind]

I like my surge protector inline when I run two Hondas because when one runs out of gas with the AC on the S/P shuts down because of the low voltage.

[Rick_Geneseo]

The reason to ground a generator is to discharge static. I seem to remember every Army generator came with 3-3foot ground rod sections and to complete the ground for whatever you were powering.

[TURBS]

Grounding the generator to the earth will not fix his issue.
Only a neutral bonded plug will.


2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[ScottBrownstein]

Agree with Turbs. The surge protector is not sensing the ground or neutral. It is sensing that there is no voltage between the hot and ground and assuming that is an open ground since if your were plugged into your house or a power pedestal there would be 120 volts between the hot and neutral and between the hot and ground. RVs do not connect the two for reasons that have been stated in this thread numerous times.

Make a plug like Turbs has indicated and it should solve your problem. In either case it won't hurt anything. Just plug it into one of the duplex outlets (with the cover in place on the plug...of course.)

[hbillsmith]

Link to article explaining how to build the adapter plug

[WolfWhistle]

X10 on the cheater plug. 1) the ground will usually be too high (in ohms) to he of any value.
2) it will not offer more personal safety, if anything it will be worse.
3) the only situation where a generator must be grounded is when it feeds a building (per the NEC)

I would not bother to use my EMS on genset, but if you insist make and usevthe "plug". I would plug it in at the genset: not to any 'ole outlet.
WW

[Louisiana Irishman]

I purchased a EMS PROGRESSIVE
GENERATOR PLUG TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM...

[D. J. Schuler]

Much simpler to take your surge/open ground/neutral off line. If you use/forget and use the same plug with neutral and ground tied together on/in a defective post and touch the aluminum siding not good. Some generators have a frame ground that can be tied to the TT and 4 foot rod driven into the ground - too much work, take the surge protector off line (AC may drop the the low voltage trip anyhow).

[hbidlack]

As a follow-up, I finally had a chance to hook my Honda 1000 generator up to my coachman clipper. The interior outlets ran just fine off of the generator. So it looks like the ground issue doesn't affect me in terms of being able to power the 110 things inside the clipper.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by hbidlack

As a follow-up, I finally had a chance to hook my Honda 1000 generator up to my coachman clipper. The interior outlets ran just fine off of the generator. So it looks like the ground issue doesn't affect me in terms of being able to power the 110 things inside the clipper.

You must not have a progressive industries unit?

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by Rick_Geneseo

The reason to ground a generator is to discharge static. I seem to remember every Army generator came with 3-3foot ground rod sections and to complete the ground for whatever you were powering.

Yes but only when they were new. After the first usage, the ground rod was gone. There must be thousands of ground rods in the ground all around the world.

[WolfWhistle]

We used to drive the rods... which if in sand read nearly infinity for ground; but if in hard dirt we would couldn't get them very deep.. So we cut them off. Naturally we couldn't get the out so they were left.
WW