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Topic: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet (Read 877 times) previous topic - next topic

50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

It seems that If we find ourselves somewhere that has a temporary power outage, it would be nice to be able to use our coach's generator to help out.  Also if we are boondocking near a coach that has a generator problem, it would be nice to have them plug their coach into our coach to temporarily have power.  Same use as having an emergency generator.

Usually the only coach outlets available are household-type 15/20-amp outlets outside or in a bay.  And the circuit breakers controlling these outlets sometimes have other loads, limiting the power they can share before tripping our breakers.

We recently added an 'outside' 50-amp female outlet to tap into our generator.  The outlet is a molded end of an extension cable that is connected to a new circuit breaker in our main breaker panel.  Drilled a hole from breaker area into engine area and routed the cable down to our start battery bank area.  50-amp outlet cable is secured above our start battery in this lockable area.  Will probably never use the outlet, but it is there if needed.

Photo shows Buddy plug cable entering main breaker panel from lower left rear and where the black, red, white & green cables connect.  Since our generator can only produce max 70 amps, I decided to limit Buddy load to 60-amps by using a double 30-amp breaker, which we will keep turned off until needed.

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #1 –
Some one else should clarify but I think you still are at 30 amps (220) not 60 with two 30 amp 120v legs? I love the idea and have pondered how I could use my gen set to run part of the house especially considering I park about 5" from my main disconnects.
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #2 –
Howdy Barry and Cindy, 
  Great idea!!  I've added this to my "to do" list.
Dave and Nancy A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #3 –
To do list. Grest idea.

We camp with my 85 yr old Dad, sometimes his 20 yr old SOB malfinctions.
Thanks
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #4 –
"RE: but I think you still are at 30 amps (220) not 60 with two 30 amp 120v legs?"

On a 50-amp circuit, If the load is 220-volts, only 50 amps can be drawn, as PhilTravel noted. But we only operate our generator at 120-volts.

Each leg of our 50-amp plug is 30-amps, but there are two legs on a 50-amp plug with a total capacity of 60-amps.

The difference between a campground 30-amp outlet and a 50-amp outlet is not 20-amps. The difference is 70-amps. The 30-amp outlet only has one 30-amp hot-leg, while a 50-amp outlet has two 50-amp hot legs, totaling 100-amps.

I am not aware of any 220-volt loads on Foretravel motorhomes. If we had them, they would not work when plugged into a 30-amp shore power outlet.

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #5 –
Sounds like the same project that I plan to undertake.  I plan to pull the generator cable out of the transfer switch and connect it into a manual xfer switch.  then I will connect the outlet to one side and the coach to the other side.  I want to be able to power up my well pump on sustained power outages.  I also dont want a set up that will put the coach and the outlet on at the same time.  For dry camping, (which we dont do much of) I should have enough battery to meet my needs  so that I could help some one that would need some temporary power.  The generator has output breakers to protect it from overloads, so I'm thinking that another output breaker would not be needed, although it wouldn't be a bad idea from an overkill standpoint which I am a fan of.  I havn't figured out where to mount the new xfer switch and receptacle.  It's a good track to be on and keep us posted on the results.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #6 –
Quote from: fkjohns6083 –
I want to be able to power up my well pump on sustained power outages.
Be sure to have appropriate transfer switches on the water pump to protect from energizing any part of "the grid."

Our well pump is 240VAC. The generators on FT coaches are normally wired to generate 120VAC with the same phase on each "side" of circuit. It can be rewired to run split phase and generate 240VAC.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #7 –
J.D.  ----  Good points.  It has been many years since I put the well pump in and I recall it as being 120V, but I need to re-visit that one just to be sure.  I plan to install a mechanical xfer switch on the line side of the breaker to the pump, I just know that I would screw something up if I didnt physically separate the two.  Thank you and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dave M –
Barry,
Are you wired for 240 volts from generator ?  Or 120 volts ?
PowerTech sent me this diagram to change 110vac to 220vac. I don't know why anyone would need to do it though.
Generator Diagram to change 110vac to 240vac
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #9 –
I have friends who have it wired so it can be a backup generator at the house. They can use 220 there into the transfer box.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #10 –
Barry B,
Was trying to ask the other Barry of Barry & Cindy fame.  Yes am fully aware of the possibility or reconnecting to either strictly 120 OR strictly 240 OR 120/240 combination.
Just courious as to HIS configuration.
Assuming it is the typical 120/240 @ 50 amp from the Post and 120 from the 8kw Power Tech generator, just wondering.
Thanks

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Dave M –
Barry B,
Was trying to ask the other Barry of Barry & Cindy fame.  Yes am fully aware of the possibility or reconnecting to either strictly 120 OR strictly 240 OR 120/240 combination.
Just courious as to HIS configuration.
Assuming it is the typical 120/240 @ 50 amp from the Post and 120 from the 8kw Power Tech generator, just wondering.
Thanks

Sorry for the confusion. I knew you were asking Barry L. I was just adding to the tread in case anyone was curious.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #12 –
Good idea ;D

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #13 –
Quote from: John S –
I have friends who have it wired so it can be a backup generator at the house. They can use 220 there into the transfer box.
                I was considering doing that too. Just am not sure what if any issues it would cause for normal gen-set operation for the coach.

         
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #14 –
Yes, Powertech has a set up for it and you need a mechanical transfer switch on the house and a sub panel.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon
 

Re: 50-amp emergency 'Buddy' coach outlet

Reply #15 –
Our 8,000 kWh generator is wired for 120 volts. Both generator hot field legs are wired together behind the dual 35-amp breakers on the front of the generator.

Running generators at 120 volts eliminates the need to balance leg1 vs leg2 loads, which is a good thing, but can cause other problems that need to be managed.

In 220-volt circuits, the neutral wire never carries more amps than either leg. But in a 120-volt environment neutral carries the sum of leg1 & leg2 loads. And when the total load on both legs is greater than 50-amps, neutral circuit will be overloaded with potential of hot connections and damaged transfer switch.

Many coaches are wired for 120-volts, so it is important to understand generator load amps to eliminate problems. Progressive Industries EMS wired after transfer switch with remote readout in an easy to read position can be a valuable tool to manage generator loads. Usually no problems when running both roof air conditioners, as long microwave and electric water heaters are not all running at the same time.

One of the easiest ways to learn if your generator is wired for 120 or 240 volts is to put a voltmeter on the big red & black wires inside the top of the main circuit breaker box, when generator is running. If meter displays around 220 volts, you are wired for 240-volts. If meter shows zero volts, you are wired for 120 volts.

Of course, this is nothing new to Dave M.