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Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

August 31, 2022, 01:21:24 pm

After a long/hot day on the road, I roll in to camp with the generator still running both roof airs and then plug in the shore power.
I know that shutting down a loaded generator is a big No No. It seems like the shore power picks up the slack as soon as power is supplied. 
I do know, that in the reverse (breaking camp) scenario, the generator takes on the load after 90 seconds of starting after which the cord can be pulled. 
Q: With a running generator, What happens behind the scenes when I turn on the power at the pedestal?
Q: What then happens two minutes later when I then go to shut off the generator?

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line. What happens to running generator?

Reply #1 – August 31, 2022, 01:36:26 pm

The generator controls the transfer switch.  As long as the generator is running, the generator has assumed the load.  If you want to cool down the generator before shutting it down, you need to lighten the load by shutting stuff off.

Art

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #2 – August 31, 2022, 02:43:05 pm

Bob,  You will arc the transfer switch each time you change power sources with big loads, A/Cs, running.  The transfer switch will say I quit much sooner than later.

Turn big loads off, change power source, restart big loads every time, all the time.

Hope this helps you

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #3 – August 31, 2022, 03:15:24 pm

Agree with Rudy, regularly pulling in a contactor under load will erode the contacts due to arcing as the contacts approach each other.  I understand that some coaches transfer switches are set up for shore priority and some are generator priority.  Mine is shore priority.

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #4 – August 31, 2022, 03:29:40 pm

I always try to shut off the loads before switching power sources. It just seems to be the best practice to extend the life of the switch contacts.

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #5 – August 31, 2022, 03:35:47 pm

Rudy X2 I learned this lesson the hard way on our previous coach burnt up the transfer switch
Chris

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #6 – August 31, 2022, 04:08:37 pm

George is correct

"some coaches transfer switches are set up for shore priority and some are generator priority."

We do not know how your transfer switch is wired up.  Based on your comment that when you plugged in it looked like the shore power took the load, you are shore priority.  Based on that if you are plugged in, with AC's running, you start the generator, generator is going to be under a good load as soon as you unplug or shut the shore power breakers off.

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #7 – August 31, 2022, 04:27:26 pm

I'm glad that my is shore power priority as when I'm working on the generator I forget to shut
off shore power and this way the transfer switch doesn't activate and if I want to load up the
generator I unload the system and then disconnect the shore power.

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Re: Plugging in to Shore Line, is that generator still loaded?

Reply #8 – August 31, 2022, 08:59:01 pm

All good advice here and much appreciated. I am glad I asked before it became a problem. 👍

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