Starting generator while on shore power

[Newk]

is it ok to do this?

[Rustynuts]

Originally Posted by Newk

is it ok to do this?

Yes but your transfer switch will switch you over to generator power as that is the default of the transfer switch. Personally if I wanted to run it, say to exercise the generator, I would just unplug from shore power but if you start it by accident it won’t hurt anything. Just curious why you would want to?

[Newk]

Thanks Rusty, I kind of thought that might be the case , but figured id get some feed back to sure.

[JimD]

Absolutely no problem doing this. I do it all the time.

When dry camping I often have my small inverter generator connected to my shore power line as major power is not needed for TV and battery charging operation. When I need big power for a microwave or whatever I simply fire up the big generator and it auto switches to it. When done I turn off the big generator and it auto switches back to shore power and my small generator which is still running.

I contacted the transfer switch manufacturer to verify that the small amount of current I was pulling during the switching process was OK and they said it was no problem.

[Newk]

Thanks Jim

[gotoworkfromanywhere]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

Just curious why you would want to?

I'm at my campsite for the next 10 weeks. I added k100 to the gas tank since that fuel is going to be sitting, and I want to run it through my generator a bit just for added protection. That's why *I'd* want to do it.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Newk

is it ok to do this?

The Cummins/Onan techs recommend disconnecting before starting the generator. Lengthy discussion during their seminar at the FMCA Convention in July.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

The Cummins/Onan techs recommend disconnecting before starting the generator. Lengthy discussion during their seminar at the FMCA Convention in July.

I think the manual says the same thing.

[hammer55]

unless you have a industrial reversing contactor, or transfer contactor, make sure there is not a heavy load,, that is what will burn the contacts and ruin your transfer switch,,

[staineous]

If you need to run the generator while plugged in just open the breaker on the generator. Then you can run the generator without switching over to it.