littleoleme
New Member
i have a 1995 damon ultra sport with a 5500 gas generator. can i leave the shoreline plugged in and throw the breakers on the generator while running it for a short time.
generic generator question
- Thread starter littleoleme
- Start date
Re: generic generator question
I am not totally sure of your question but I have run my generator while hooked to shore power. But I dont recommend it unless you first shut off everything you might have turned on in the house. I found when I kicked on the generator when I was on shore power it had a tendency to pop the gfi and some of the other breakers. If we turn off computers, tvs, cofffee pots and so on before crankin on the genny or shutting off the shore power circuit breakers first we dont have that kind of a problem.
I am not totally sure of your question but I have run my generator while hooked to shore power. But I dont recommend it unless you first shut off everything you might have turned on in the house. I found when I kicked on the generator when I was on shore power it had a tendency to pop the gfi and some of the other breakers. If we turn off computers, tvs, cofffee pots and so on before crankin on the genny or shutting off the shore power circuit breakers first we dont have that kind of a problem.
littleoleme
New Member
Re: generic generator question
thank you for your reply. we have an automatic switch over on our generator. we have a 20 amp and a 30 amp breaker on our generator. if we turn those off will it stop the generator from bringing pwoer into the rv while leaving shore power hooked up . sorry i hope that makes better sense.
thank you for your reply. we have an automatic switch over on our generator. we have a 20 amp and a 30 amp breaker on our generator. if we turn those off will it stop the generator from bringing pwoer into the rv while leaving shore power hooked up . sorry i hope that makes better sense.
RE: generic generator question
While we're on generators - I'm just learning that lightweight generators are quite expensive, though the salespeople for RV's sound like they'll just be a couple hundred dollars.
I know nothing about this - We're looking at a 24 ft Jayco travel trailer that weighs about 5200 - has a microwave and air conditioner and electrical sockets. Can anybody tell me about what size generator I might need? any ideas where to find a suitable one? thanks
:
New RVer
While we're on generators - I'm just learning that lightweight generators are quite expensive, though the salespeople for RV's sound like they'll just be a couple hundred dollars.
I know nothing about this - We're looking at a 24 ft Jayco travel trailer that weighs about 5200 - has a microwave and air conditioner and electrical sockets. Can anybody tell me about what size generator I might need? any ideas where to find a suitable one? thanks
:
New RVer
TexasClodhopper
Senior Member
Re: generic generator question
If your RV does not have a load control center, then you should never try to supply power to your RV with BOTH the generator AND the shore power connected at the same time. (I thought most RV manufacturers had found a way to not allow this by now. Usually there's a switch to supply power from one or the other, but not both.)
I said "supply power", because, yes, if you throw the breakers off at the generator it won't be supplying power to the RV, and you could run it to "exercise" it.
The reason you don't want both connected together is that your generator is not synchronized to the shore power frequency or amplitude. They may be close, but not in sync. They will be alternately supplying and loading each other; a very bad situation.
@Nedra - A 2000 KVA generator would probably be the minimum size for your load, but that wouldn't allow you any access when the A/C was starting. A 3000 KVA would provide you with some spare power.
If your RV does not have a load control center, then you should never try to supply power to your RV with BOTH the generator AND the shore power connected at the same time. (I thought most RV manufacturers had found a way to not allow this by now. Usually there's a switch to supply power from one or the other, but not both.)
I said "supply power", because, yes, if you throw the breakers off at the generator it won't be supplying power to the RV, and you could run it to "exercise" it.
The reason you don't want both connected together is that your generator is not synchronized to the shore power frequency or amplitude. They may be close, but not in sync. They will be alternately supplying and loading each other; a very bad situation.
@Nedra - A 2000 KVA generator would probably be the minimum size for your load, but that wouldn't allow you any access when the A/C was starting. A 3000 KVA would provide you with some spare power.
TexasClodhopper
Senior Member
Re: generic generator question
That's what I mean, Mike. My Winnie is the same. The power comes in via one plug, and I have to physically plug it into one power source or the other.
But, other MHs use a load switch to make it automatic.
Trailers will be different, because they don't all come with generators built in.
That's what I mean, Mike. My Winnie is the same. The power comes in via one plug, and I have to physically plug it into one power source or the other.
But, other MHs use a load switch to make it automatic.
Trailers will be different, because they don't all come with generators built in.
Triple E
Senior Member
Re: generic generator question
If I happen to start my generator with the shore power plug in, I will not receive any power from the generator even though the generator is running. So I guess what I am saying is the shore power is the lead and the generator is the lag. As soon as I pull the shore power then the generator power will kick in. I found this out by accident. Glad I did not do any damage. :approve: :laugh:
:8ball:
If I happen to start my generator with the shore power plug in, I will not receive any power from the generator even though the generator is running. So I guess what I am saying is the shore power is the lead and the generator is the lag. As soon as I pull the shore power then the generator power will kick in. I found this out by accident. Glad I did not do any damage. :approve: :laugh:
:8ball:
RE: generic generator question
littleoleme,
Yes you can, but follow safety tip. Yours is probably a kohler unit with an auto-transfer switch. Normally turning on the generator will cause power from the genny to feed your rig. Mine is a '95' damon daybreak and I suspect it's set up the same way yours is. There are two breakers on the genny, one is a 30 amp and one is 20 amp. Just turn them off first. That will keep the transfer switch from operating. As Tex said if you have a cable you physically have to move then you should be fine as well. If when you normally start your genny (not hooked up to power) and don't have to relocate a cable connector, then you have the auto-transfer switch.
I run mine at least monthly for about 30 min when its in storage here at home, and I just unplug from the house. May be that is what you should do. Safety first !!
cheers
PS-Oops sorry, didn't see where you did confirm you have the auto switch..My bad!!
littleoleme,
Yes you can, but follow safety tip. Yours is probably a kohler unit with an auto-transfer switch. Normally turning on the generator will cause power from the genny to feed your rig. Mine is a '95' damon daybreak and I suspect it's set up the same way yours is. There are two breakers on the genny, one is a 30 amp and one is 20 amp. Just turn them off first. That will keep the transfer switch from operating. As Tex said if you have a cable you physically have to move then you should be fine as well. If when you normally start your genny (not hooked up to power) and don't have to relocate a cable connector, then you have the auto-transfer switch.
I run mine at least monthly for about 30 min when its in storage here at home, and I just unplug from the house. May be that is what you should do. Safety first !!
cheers
PS-Oops sorry, didn't see where you did confirm you have the auto switch..My bad!!
Re: generic generator question
Just a thought here, why run the gen without a load? If you are doing the monthly on the gen it should be at 1/2 load to warm it up
(the gen motor and the electric part). I use the heat-pumps in the winter as the main load and this warms the coach up as well, in summer I use the air-conditioners and the water heater if I have water in it, as well as cycling other electric items in the coach.
LEN
Just a thought here, why run the gen without a load? If you are doing the monthly on the gen it should be at 1/2 load to warm it up
(the gen motor and the electric part). I use the heat-pumps in the winter as the main load and this warms the coach up as well, in summer I use the air-conditioners and the water heater if I have water in it, as well as cycling other electric items in the coach.
LEN
H2H1
Senior Member
Re: generic generator question
well Hamdave , you and I are on the same wave link here. I unplug mine from our house power when in storage before starting the genset up. I let it run for at least 30-45 minutes while running appliances inside to include the AC in the winter time .I just want it to work under a load for awhile. I think this is the best way to exercise it .But that just my HO :laugh: Not saying it the right thing to do, it just what I do.
well Hamdave , you and I are on the same wave link here. I unplug mine from our house power when in storage before starting the genset up. I let it run for at least 30-45 minutes while running appliances inside to include the AC in the winter time .I just want it to work under a load for awhile. I think this is the best way to exercise it .But that just my HO :laugh: Not saying it the right thing to do, it just what I do.