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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: floridarandy on June 20, 2018, 09:42:07 pm

Title: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: floridarandy on June 20, 2018, 09:42:07 pm
Too hot for one a/c here in Arizona. Can I remain on 30 amp shore power but start generator so I can run both a/c until it cools this evening?

Thanks
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: turbojack on June 20, 2018, 09:46:12 pm
When you're on generator the transfer switch will switch you over once you shut generator off it'll go back to 30 amp hour
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Chris m lang on June 20, 2018, 09:49:02 pm
Too hot for one a/c here in Arizona. Can I remain on 30 amp shore power but start generator somI can run both a/c until it cools this evening?

Thanks
Randy, if I'm not mistaken when you startle generator the transfer switch will put everything on the generator and isolate shore power
Isolate--meaning it does not use shore power
I killed a transfer switch in another brand by starting generator while on shore power,  transfer was suppose to be automatic but it wasn't
Personally I would un-plug shore power then start generator so both AC units could run.  Then once cooled off I would switch back to shore power with 1 AC
Chris
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on June 20, 2018, 11:37:40 pm
Personally I would un-plug shore power then start generator so both AC units could run.  Then once cooled off I would switch back to shore power with 1 AC
X2, except no need to unplug.  Just flip the appropriate breakers off and on at the power pedestal (or box).  Have the air conditioners turned off when making the switch between power sources to reduce the strain on the ATS.
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: nitehawk on June 20, 2018, 11:44:08 pm
Like Chuck says, turn off ALL power users when switching over to the generator. These motors do not like slow voltage starts and ultimately go bad.
My Owner's manual stresses shutting everything off when switching, and they stress it more than once.
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: sedelange on June 21, 2018, 12:55:31 am
94-02 had shoreline priority.  Others had generator priority.  I have owned one of each.
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: folivier on June 21, 2018, 07:18:00 am
My '99 U320 has shoreline priority.  Is there a way to easily change this to generator priority?
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on June 21, 2018, 07:53:35 am
My '99 U320 has shoreline priority.  Is there a way to easily change this to generator priority?
I think you could just reverse the position of the input cables going into the ATS box.  Make sure all AC power is cut to the coach before messing with the ATS.  Should be a wiring diagram on the underside of the ATS box cover indicating which breaker connection has priority?
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: jcus on June 21, 2018, 09:36:14 am
My '99 U320 has shoreline priority.  Is there a way to easily change this to generator priority?
Why would generator priority be more advantageous, or vise-versa?
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: wolfe10 on June 21, 2018, 09:38:54 am
Randy,

Best practices:

Turn off all high loads such as A/C's.

Disconnect from shore power or turn off CG breaker.

Start generator and allow a few minutes for it to switch AND warm up.

Turn on heavy loads one at a time.

Can you just go from running heavy loads on shore power to starting the generator and switch heavy loads to it-- sure.  But that is hard on both the ATS and the generator.  Think of it as similar to starting your car and immediately flooring the throttle to 80 MPH.  Yes, it can be done, but hardly "best practices".
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on June 21, 2018, 09:48:05 am
Why would generator priority be more advantageous, or vise-versa?
I don't know...good question.  Might have something to do with generator auto-start function?  If (whatever) conditions cause the generator to start automatically, then I guess you would want IT to have priority at the ATS.

I replaced the AC power selection ATS with a manual switch, so I decide what has priority.  Quiet, and simple = good.
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on June 21, 2018, 11:21:52 am
My coach has a manual transfer switch as well. Also has a Victron multicontrol that I can set how much current it draws, from 0-50 amps of either shore power or genset power.
More work, as you have to go in to the bed room to switch it out, but that leaves little room for error. I believe its a blue sea systems 50 amp transfer switch, so very robust. Not much to go wrong with it.
Randy what sized generator do you have?
Also you should be able to run both A/Cs off 30 amps I would think. If not maybe you needa  start capacitor on them.
I can run my rear A/C off shore and front off the lithium bank with the solar charging it. Doesn't power the entire load, but most.  Pretty cool feature. Wouldn't do it often though.  8)
Bob
Title: Re: Run Generator While on 30 Amp Shore Power
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on June 21, 2018, 12:04:51 pm
We're at a 30-amp park now, easy to run the rear air, but with our electric convection oven on at the same time, it takes us down to 110 volts, any lower is dangerous. So, if not started at the same time, I suppose the front air could be run (without the oven), but we've been in some hot temps down south and have never needed the front, only a small fan to circulate the rear air up front.  ^.^d  BTW, 'auto-matic' gen set starting (which we don't have and only run the gen-set in emergencies) is hard on the peace & quiet for the neighbors, which is why we follow this rule: