Quick (simple) Question, Then I Will Delete......

jhilley wrote:
You don't have to unplug shore power to start the engine, just remember to not drive away.

Nearly everyone has done this at some point or another. If you haven't, then you have done something else that was even better.

wa8yxm wrote:
When plugged in will starting the engine damage anything: NO.. but read on.

Starting, releasing the parking break and putting it in gear WILL damage your cord.

WHY? The guy sounds like he is smart enough not to run over the cord or move far enough to yank it out of the power box, and even those activities probably won't actually hurt the cord. Most of us have "auto disconnected" our rig'e electricity over the years and the only damage is to our pride when the neighbor frantically waves us over and tells us we are dragging our cord behind us. But that is not what the OP is asking. He is asking if he can move his rig a couple of feet with the cord plugged in without any damage and the answer is easily "yes" I do it often to jockey the rig a foot or two to make the satellite lock on. Others often do it to drive up on a leveling block or move the door a foot so they don't step out onto or into something. Very common.

When plugged in will starting the engine damage anything: NO.. but read on.

Starting, releasing the parking break and putting it in gear WILL damage your cord.

Don't delete the thread (actually, I don't think you can but a moderator could) because of all the lurkers that are newbies and probably want to know the same thing. I know I did when I first started to RV in a Class A nine years ago. This forum gets like 10,000 hits per day, many of them could possibly want to know the answer to this question so leave it for them.

Fishinghat wrote:

mccsix wrote:
Not necessary but here's a tip before you unplug from shore power always shut off all elec appliance ie A/Cs. That will save your transfer switch from an early death.

Almost correct. The transfer switch governs power from the generator and shore power, not from the alternator on your engine. So, running the engine while connected to shore power won't effect your transfer switch.

On the other hand, your inverter/converter may be wired (most aren't) to maintain your chassis batteries, so when you run your engine the voltage from the alternator tells the inverter/converter to stop providing power. After your engine's alternator charges the engine batteries (chassis batteries), it then charges the house batteries and the inverter/converter then also stops charging those batteries. However, that shouldn't be a problem since it is wired to do just that. Neither of these battery banks are governed by the transfer switch.

mccsix is saying that when you unplug the shore power, it is easier on your transfer switch to default back to generator without a load and thus not arc. Has nothing to do with alternator.

mccsix wrote:
Not necessary but here's a tip before you unplug from shore power always shut off all elec appliance ie A/Cs. That will save your transfer switch from an early death.

Almost correct. The transfer switch governs power from the generator and shore power, not from the alternator on your engine. So, running the engine while connected to shore power won't effect your transfer switch.

On the other hand, your inverter/converter may be wired (most aren't) to maintain your chassis batteries, so when you run your engine the voltage from the alternator tells the inverter/converter to stop providing power. After your engine's alternator charges the engine batteries (chassis batteries), it then charges the house batteries and the inverter/converter then also stops charging those batteries. However, that shouldn't be a problem since it is wired to do just that. Neither of these battery banks are governed by the transfer switch.

nope. you can plug into shore power and run your MH engine until it runs out of gas and you won't hurt a thing...except maybe your wallet. :)

Not necessary but here's a tip before you unplug from shore power always shut off all elec appliance ie A/Cs. That will save your transfer switch from an early death.

You don't have to unplug shore power to start the engine, just remember to not drive away.