Generator

[Buster52]

I just found out that the 3250 watt generator from a big box store that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter, will not run the A/C on my Trailer. It will only make 13.5 amps or 1625 watts on each of the 110 volt sides. The generator makes 3250 watts at 220 volt. So when you buy a generator at the big box stores and if it makes 220 volt buy twice the size generator. Now I am looking for a new generator. Any ideas?

[wa8yxm]

Does the generator have a 120/240 volt switch? Some do, some do not, some it's done right, some it's not.

[lawrosa]

Also I would like to note.. My gen has a floating neutral.

When I use the gen for the RV I use an Edison plug to bond the neutral and ground...

RV's have floating ground/nuetral and this is a must have with them..

If your gen is bonded then you are OK..

I have a coleman gen by the way..

Read here for edison plug RV issues...

edison plug... RV ground bond issues..

[lawrosa]

Buster52 wrote:
I bought a Generac GP3250. It has a 220 volt L14 plug and it has a adapter from the L14 to a TT30 110 volt.

You can get an electrician to mod that gen and make it 120 volt.

I did that to mine. during hurricane sandy.. I have no 240 loads im my home.

So I made the mod myself. You need to flip one winding basically// But its all done in the wiring//

AS long as the wire molex coming from the windings has 4 wires. If not it cant be done.

Colman was nice enought to give me that..

4 wires from winding's and center is ground

..




Im a plumber 30 years and know the trades... electrical and what not...

So please dont flame me as this is dangerous. This is what all manufacturers do when they have a 240 gen with a 120 volt option.. Some us a switch, some have it hard wired...

You need to get the schematic from generac. The electrician can put a TT 30 in the 240 's place...

Here are my schematics before and after from my gen...

Note mine shows the original 4 prong outlet in the drawing but it is a 3 prong twist lock.

I use an adapter from that with a TT adapter...

Before



After




Rewire in the panel is simple if you know what you are doing...

[Buster52]

I bought a Generac GP3250. It has a 220 volt L14 plug and it has a adapter from the L14 to a TT30 110 volt.

[lawrosa]

that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter,

sry just re read this.. So you bought a 240 gen and it came with an RV adapter....

OK.. Buy a 120v only gen.. You dont want a 240 volt gen unless,

...... many 240 gens also have a 30 amp 120v twist lock. That is the outlet you want to use..

Let use know if you have this

[lawrosa]

Buster52 wrote:
I just found out that the 3250 watt generator from a big box store that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter, will not run the A/C on my Trailer. It will only make 13.5 amps or 1625 watts on each of the 110 volt sides. The generator makes 3250 watts at 220 volt. So when you buy a generator at the big box stores and if it makes 220 volt buy twice the size generator. Now I am looking for a new generator. Any ideas?

This is kind of misleading as the 3250 watt gen I assume is a champion is a 120v only gen.

When you state that 13.5 amps and 1625 watts from each leg is false if its a 120v gen. Both legs power the 120v outlet and you should get the full 30 amp rating..

If it is indead a 240 volt gen and has an rv plug then its still running both legs off the 120v TT30 outlet.

No if you hooked an adapter to the 240 outlet ( if it has one) And tried to run your RV from there, then it will only run from one leg of the gen...

With that said these are onsale at our local BJ,s for 249$$

This should start the A/C

champion generator BJ's




So again can you post what you actually bought?

[2oldman]

He obviously means btu, not kilowatts.

[frizzen]

pawpaw47 wrote:
I bought this generator. It runs my 15KW A/C without a problem, it's extremely quiet and the big selling feature in my opinion is that it's FUEL INJECTED! No more carb issues to deal with. It's a little pricey but worth it to me.

http://www.powerhouse-products.com/powerhouse_product/ph4000rie/

Hope this helps

Pawpaw

15KW air conditioner ? How big is your rig?

[pawpaw47]

I bought this generator. It runs my 15KW A/C without a problem, it's extremely quiet and the big selling feature in my opinion is that it's FUEL INJECTED! No more carb issues to deal with. It's a little pricey but worth it to me.

http://www.powerhouse-products.com/powerhouse_product/ph4000rie/

Hope this helps

Pawpaw

[naturist]

Ed_Gee wrote:

Buster52 wrote:
I just found out that the 3250 watt generator from a big box store that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter, will not run the A/C on my Trailer. It will only make 13.5 amps or 1625 watts on each of the 110 volt sides. The generator makes 3250 watts at 220 volt. So when you buy a generator at the big box stores and if it makes 220 volt buy twice the size generator. Now I am looking for a new generator. Any ideas?

I am curious -- what did you actually plug into that "220V" generator? Anything normal for an RV runs on 110VAC and you would have damaged the appliances, etc. had you actually plugged into a 220V generator. I don't think you have given us a clear picture of what you actually bought. Make and model would help for starters.

Yes, and that 30 amp, 220 volt socket would have 4 terminals, which the 30 amp 110 volt "adapter" would connect to only 3 of those terminals, thus only 110 volts.

[Dutch_12078]

Ed_Gee wrote:

Buster52 wrote:
I just found out that the 3250 watt generator from a big box store that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter, will not run the A/C on my Trailer. It will only make 13.5 amps or 1625 watts on each of the 110 volt sides. The generator makes 3250 watts at 220 volt. So when you buy a generator at the big box stores and if it makes 220 volt buy twice the size generator. Now I am looking for a new generator. Any ideas?

I am curious -- what did you actually plug into that "220V" generator? Anything normal for an RV runs on 110VAC and you would have damaged the appliances, etc. had you actually plugged into a 220V generator. I don't think you have given us a clear picture of what you actually bought. Make and model would help for starters.

The description given appears to be of a typical Chinese made gen set equipped with a 110/220 twist lock outlet and usually a duplex 110 outlet. The somewhat misleading wattage rating is also typical.

[edbehnke]

buy a honda

[bikendan]

it would probably help if you posted make and model of generator.
i'm assuming it's an open-frame contractor generator, right?

[Ed_Gee]

Buster52 wrote:
I just found out that the 3250 watt generator from a big box store that came with a RV 30 amp plug in adapter, will not run the A/C on my Trailer. It will only make 13.5 amps or 1625 watts on each of the 110 volt sides. The generator makes 3250 watts at 220 volt. So when you buy a generator at the big box stores and if it makes 220 volt buy twice the size generator. Now I am looking for a new generator. Any ideas?

I am curious -- what did you actually plug into that "220V" generator? Anything normal for an RV runs on 110VAC and you would have damaged the appliances, etc. had you actually plugged into a 220V generator. I don't think you have given us a clear picture of what you actually bought. Make and model would help for starters.