185EZ wrote:I wanted a generator so I wouldn't have to run my 7000kw in the rv just to charge the batteries and run a few things.Amazing what you can get for $250 these daysI have a Durastar 4400 generator but the hz would vary too much and it would trip error codes on my Progressive EMS and i couldn't just plug it into the rv since it would give a fault code on my inverter.So I bought a dual fuel Sportsmanhttps://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN4000DF-SS-Sandstorm-4000-Generator/dp/B079RBD936http://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN4000DF-SS-Sandstorm-4000-Generator/dp/B079RBD936Works great on propane and the hz only varies from 61 to 62 hzBut the EMS shows an error code of open ground.I even tried grounding the terminal lug into the ground and nothing changedEverything works fine if I bypass the EMSWhat else can I do to fix the open ground?You need to connect the ground pin to the neutral pin using a bonding plug at the generator or bypass your EMS when on generator power. You can probably bond one of the 20A outlets and it will suffice.

You may need to get an inverter genset that puts out true sine wave output. I cannot run my UPS, printer or several other bits of gear on my Champion 3500/4000 dual fuel non-inverter, but it works fine on my Champion 3500/4000 inverter. I doubt grounding it will correct the wave form. But I'm not an electrician or electrical engineer.

wnjj wrote:185EZ wrote:I wanted a generator so I wouldn't have to run my 7000kw in the rv just to charge the batteries and run a few things.Amazing what you can get for $250 these daysI have a Durastar 4400 generator but the hz would vary too much and it would trip error codes on my Progressive EMS and i couldn't just plug it into the rv since it would give a fault code on my inverter.So I bought a dual fuel Sportsmanhttps://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN4000DF-SS-Sandstorm-4000-Generator/dp/B079RBD936http://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN4000DF-SS-Sandstorm-4000-Generator/dp/B079RBD936Works great on propane and the hz only varies from 61 to 62 hzBut the EMS shows an error code of open ground.I even tried grounding the terminal lug into the ground and nothing changedEverything works fine if I bypass the EMSWhat else can I do to fix the open ground?You need to connect the ground pin to the neutral pin using a bonding plug at the generator or bypass your EMS when on generator power. You can probably bond one of the 20A outlets and it will suffice.I know enough to get by but I have no idea what you just said lolI'm fine knowing the EMS is within range and unplugging it to use the generator.Is the open ground anything to really be worried about?I don't want to be connecting pins and bonding things at this time unless it isn't a big deal.appreciate the help.

Yep, you just need a bonding plug. I made my own ($4) to get rid of the E2 code on the EMS. Here's one already made if you don't want to try it yourself.Bonding plug

The "open ground" diagnosis is not correct. It's the most likely guess by the EMS based on what it can discern from the two hot wires plus the safety ground wire. When you're on shore power the open ground diagnosis has a high probability of being correct. When being powered by an unbonded generator, it's an incorrect diagnosis. Shore power has what's called a "neutral-ground bond", where the neutral conductor and ground conductor are connected upstream of the power output. The majority of portable generators do not have this neutral-ground bond, and the EMS wrongly diagnoses it as an open ground. To make the EMS happy you need to add this neutral-ground bond. Many people think the simplest way is to take a standard plug and wire the neutral (wide blade) and ground pins together, then plug it into the same generator outlet that you plug the RV into. There have been pictures posted, but with the forum requiring pictures to be hosted on an outside web site, all the ones I know about are gone. Take a look here for more info: http://noshockzone.org/generator-ground-neutral-bonding/ . To read more, search for "generator bonding plug" and you'll find lots to read, videos, and even pre-made ones to purchase.

Portable Generator open ground | Good Sam Community

DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2018
185EZ wrote:
wnjj wrote:
185EZ wrote:
I fixed the E2 open ground issue with a plug wired with the ground and neutral together.
NOW I have code E1 reverse polarity

I’m thinking you bonded ground and hot, not ground and neutral. Did you connect ground to the wider blade of the plug?

Wouldn't that trip the breaker?
Yes ground to silver wider blade

It would be nice to use the EMS but it's probably not best suited for generator use.

Bonding ground to the hot would not trip a breaker unless there is a (significant) ground/neutral fault somewhere else in the wiring, causing a short circuit.

On the generator itself, the whole output is floating (not bonded to anything), so neutral and ground are electrically interchangeable; it's just a question of which is wired to which blade of the socket.

If the EMS is saying reversed polarity, it means that it sees ground as at the same voltage as hot. This would mean either the bond is between the hot line and the ground, or the hot and neutral are getting switched around somewhere between the plug and the EMS (because something is miswired). Either way, whatever the problem is should be fixed.
185EZ
Explorer
Oct 07, 2018
wnjj wrote:
185EZ wrote:
I fixed the E2 open ground issue with a plug wired with the ground and neutral together.
NOW I have code E1 reverse polarity

I’m thinking you bonded ground and hot, not ground and neutral. Did you connect ground to the wider blade of the plug?

Wouldn't that trip the breaker?
Yes ground to silver wider blade

It would be nice to use the EMS but it's probably not best suited for generator use.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 07, 2018
2oldman wrote:
Bypass the EMS. Nobody grounds a generator.
This would be my solution too.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2018
MrWizard wrote:
Factory extension cord ?

Or one that has one or both ends replaced ?
Check the wiring on the replaced ends

Store bought and new. On one of the 120V outlets not the 30 amp. 4K generator.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2018
Bypass the EMS. Nobody grounds a generator.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 07, 2018
Factory extension cord ?

Or one that has one or both ends replaced ?
Check the wiring on the replaced ends
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2018
Well I made a plug with the green gnd screw and the silver neutral screw are connected with a short length of 12 gauge wire. It fixed the one amber light problem but then appliances at the end of the extension cords started shocking people.

Oddly using the tester at the end of the extension cord gave two amber lights before adding the plug.
wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2018
185EZ wrote:
I fixed the E2 open ground issue with a plug wired with the ground and neutral together.
NOW I have code E1 reverse polarity

I’m thinking you bonded ground and hot, not ground and neutral. Did you connect ground to the wider blade of the plug?
185EZ
Explorer
Oct 07, 2018
I fixed the E2 open ground issue with a plug wired with the ground and neutral together.
NOW I have code E1 reverse polarity
185EZ
Explorer
Oct 06, 2018
It's ok guys. Not worth getting into a tiff over it.
I got my answer and even a link to a part
Can't ask for much more than that.
Thanks to everyone! :)

BTW, which oil should I run in it?
Lol, JUST KIDDING!

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