Generator versus Shore Power...

[WeylanBryant]

Greetings... We typically camp at State Parks (in Colorado), many of which only "push" 30A (some only 15A) power. FEW "push" 50A. With dual A/C units, I ***NEED*** >30A power to operate BOTH A/Cs at the same time.

QUESTION: Should I DISCONNECT from the "shore power" ***BEFORE*** starting the generator, or does it matter? Does the Generator simply "supplement" the "shore power" (or is there something inside the rig that "cuts" the shore power off when it "feels" generator power??

Thanks!!

Can't seem to change my "signature/tagline" below... We're now in a 2015 Seneca 37TS (and LOVING it)!!

[nbhybrid]

Do you not only have one power cable????

you would have to unhook the power from the pedestal to hook into the generator would you not?

[WeylanBryant]

Hi NB... No... In the Seneca, the Onan Generators (in my case, an 8KW generator) is BUILT INTO the coach. I know what you're saying with an EXTERNAL generator (which is what I had for my 365BHS, before trading that unit in).

[Camper_bob]

In my limited experience with Class Cs, you either have to unplug from shore power and plug into the generator outlet, or you have an auto changeover switch. IIRC on my dad's MH, the auto changeover will "prefer" the shore power (not sure though?). You can run both, but only one will feed the MH, he will run his genny for a few minutes to warm it up, then unhook and stow his shore power cable for a seamless and continuous delivery of power to the coach.

I defer to those with more experience here, that's all I know...

[Grumpy]

It is recommended that you not have shore power connected when starting the geny. The transfer switch makes the transition pretty fast but there is still a remote chance of shore power back feeding into the geny and damaging the stator.

[WeylanBryant]

Thanks Grumpy... Thanks SORT of what I thought (I wasn't sure about actually backfeeding into the "grid" vis-a-vis shore power back feeding into the generator). I'll disconnect from shore power, fire up the generator, cool the rig down with both A/C's, shut down generator, reconnect to shore power, and maintain temp levels with one. No big deal... Just steps to remember (and ensure EVERYONE ELSE remembers, LOL!). Thanks!!

[kbaum13]

My 2014 37TS gas auto change over on my 8K generator thought that made that type of change over acceptable. It does make sense to unplug as a precaution anyway.

[edatlanta]

While they say the auto transfer switches will work under load you really don't want to do that very often. It is hard on the switch which can cause early end of life. And as previously stated, you certainly don't want any back feed if the transfer switch isn't working perfectly. Why tease the gorilla?

[thecampingcat]

2014 Greyhawk 31fk at PDI tech said I could run generator while plugged in safley...is this correct...he did it at PDI and I raised the question

[bgermane]

I have always been under the impression that you don't want the shore power plugged in while running the generator, but I made the mistake once. I say mistake because when the shore power came back online, the main breaker at the panel and the breaker on the Onan tripped. I interpreted that as somrthing I shouldn't do. I guess these ATS's will transfer between power sources but don't work well when both sources are live.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by thecampingcat

2014 Greyhawk 31fk at PDI tech said I could run generator while plugged in safley...is this correct...he did it at PDI and I raised the question

Not the best thing to do if you want the geny to last for a long long time...