Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter on May 04, 2025, 06:20:51 pm

Title: Gen or shore priority
Post by: Peter on May 04, 2025, 06:20:51 pm
A quick question
When plugged into shore power, if you turn on the  generator, which has priority. ?
And so i have to nessesarily unplug shore power before starting the generator?
Title: Re: Gen or shore priority
Post by: Michelle on May 04, 2025, 06:21:56 pm
It depends on the year of the coach.  Let me quickly search for that info

ETA - several posts indicate through 1994 it was generator, post it is shore.  Always check your build's schematics, though, and if someone replaced the main transfer switch you will need to safely open it up and check to see how it's wired.

And from the wiki/Foretravel Manuals media section on Electrical Systems

Electrical (https://wiki.foreforums.com/technical:electrical:start)

The selected media item is not currently available.
It is ALWAYS recommended to unplug before starting the generator (and to shut down the generator before plugging in) to minimize arcing/damage to the transfer switch contacts.
Title: Re: Gen or shore priority
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 04, 2025, 06:31:05 pm
Peter,

It could be wired either way. Our coach is wired now as shore power is priority.  I know of some that generator is priority, so like Michelle said it depends on the coach.  As best practice I always shut off shore power and open main breaker before starting generator just in case the transfer switch fails. Doing this also keeps the transfer switch from swapping under a load causing arcing the contacts.

Mike

Well M got to the post first
Title: Re: Gen or shore priority
Post by: Peter on May 04, 2025, 06:36:37 pm
Thanks for the info everyone!