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Topic: Using your FT Generator to power your home (Read 1374 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #25 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I see no problem doing that.  As already mentioned by several, make sure the switch does switch both hots and neutral.  And, still have to monitor loads, as there are more high amp loads in most homes than in motorhomes.
Where exactly would you get the 240 volts on a Foretravel?
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #26 –
Jim,

IF, repeat IF the generator supplies 240 VAC (between the hots) you could put an outlet anywhere you like.

Probably the easiest would be in the electrical bay.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #27 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Jim,

IF, repeat IF the generator supplies 240 VAC (between the hots) you could put an outlet anywhere you like.

Probably the easiest would be in the electrical bay.
I may be wrong, but have not seen 240 volts on my Foretravels when on gen power. I always thought that gens were wired to supply 120 volt only.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #28 –
Re: simple a-b switch

Jim, what is a simple a-b switch that can handle your 200-amp normal house power and toggle 3 (#6) wires at the same time.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Re: simple a-b switch

Jim, what is a simple a-b switch that can handle your 200-amp normal house power and toggle 3 (#6) wires at the same time.
SQUARE D DOUBLE THROW TYPE 3R 82344RB 200AMP 480VOLT 3POLE NON-FUSIBLE...
This one is expensive, found one for my bus conversion for $75.
Trouble is, with my Foretravel will not have the 220 volt necessary for my dryer or welder. Newell does supply 220 across the two hot legs.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #30 –
In 1981 Foretravel built my all electric FTX It has a 13.5 kw. Yanmar generator. I believe it was modified with a radiator from a sail boat application as it has a 10 gal all electric water heater that is used in marine application. It has 240 volt supply. The transfer switch, if you want to call it that is an umbilical cord that you either plug into the outlet box on the motorhome or a pedestal. The only pedestal it has ever seen is here at the house. It will give me 100 amp service through the deadly male to male adaptor. I have been doing this for over 20 years so turning off the main has been my way to prevent feedback. I will try to set up the system Tim posted just to add another layer of protection.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #31 –
Newell and some bus conversions have what's called a "buddy plug" just like the one in your FTX, except it is wired in parallel with coach so you can run the coach and anything else that is plugged into it. [within load abilities of the generator.] Never did, but was going to use the double throw switch I mentioned on my house, with a regular 50 amp plug on it, to plug into the coach. Physically impossible to backfeed with that type of switch.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #32 –
Quote from: jcus –
I may be wrong, but have not seen 240 volts on my Foretravels when on gen power. I always thought that gens were wired to supply 120 volt only.

Jim,
This is mostly correct, there are some cases that the gen is wired for 240 but most FTs are not.  You can go into the internal wiring on you generator and do some wire changing and have 240.  And to answer your next question No I won't explain how but the schematics in your generator book should show you how.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Jim,
This is mostly correct, there are some cases that the gen is wired for 240 but most FTs are not.  You can go into the internal wiring on you generator and do some wire changing and have 240.  And to answer your next question No I won't explain how but the schematics in your generator book should show you how.

Pamela & Mike

Generator Diagram to change 110vac to 240vac
Most generators of this size are 240 and can be changed back from 120 volts. Barry Beam does explain how.
However because my coach is set up for 120 only, pretty sure that would entail a lot of wiring changes. Not really worth it just for a dryer and welder.
Jim
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #34 –
I installed a 22KW.    Expensive but worth every penny.
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #35 –
Quote from: jcus –
Most generators of this size are 240

Jim,

What size are you referring to?
It isn't much trouble at all to change from one voltage to another with your skill set it won't be hard. Just need to remember that your voltage regulator will only be seeing one leg.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #36 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Jim,

What size are you referring to?
It isn't much trouble at all to change from one voltage to another with your skill set it won't be hard. Just need to remember that your voltage regulator will only be seeing one leg.

Pamela & Mike
Meaning most 10 kw generators are wired to produce 240 volts and Foretravel just changed wiring to 120 volt. While in theory, in a 240 volt set up, one leg to neutral is 110 volt and all my circuits are 110, should work. But now we have a 240 volt potential throughout coach. My skill set is not good enough to identify all the possible problems that could arise. Foretravel wired the coach for 120 volts for a reason. I suppose I could tap 240 volts directly on generator, but as I said not really worth it to me.
 
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.
 

Re: Using your FT Generator to power your home

Reply #37 –
Our genset is propane, 120v, 6.5kw. Not really enough. So we have a separate Onan diesel genset to run the house when the power goes out.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292