30 A cable splitter, or something?

[Free_Range_Huma]

Now that it's getting hotter, there are some days I need the A/C running, which means unplugging from the 15 A outlet I'm on (in a garage), and crawling on my hands and knees to plug into the generator, whose compartment is under a slide.

I know NOTHING about this, but is there a way to keep plugged into both the generator and a pedestal, so I just have to turn on the generator when needed?

I'd be happy even if it required me to unplug from the pedestal first, just as long as the crawling-on-the-ground part wasn't required.

[MrWizard]

2013 Winnebago Access Premier 31RP
thats a Class C,
an RV that new should have a transfer switch, unless Winnebago has changed
production standards

easy test, un plug the shore cord and start the generator
you either have power OR you don't
you can't hurt any thing IF the shore cord is unplugged

[Free_Range_Huma]

Sorry, I should have given more details!

RoyB wrote:
I would think your unit should already have this feature. Turning on the generator should do an autoswitch from Shore Power to Generator Power after a few seconds.

What does the manual say...

Roy Ken

THAT would be wonderful, but I assumed what I was doing was necessary because there is a 30 A plug inside the electrical bay that goes directly to the generator (that's the crawling-on-the-ground part), plus I don't remember the salesman saying anything about it having a transfer switch.

I've got a 2013 Winnebago Access Premier.

Does the (automatic) transfer switch get installed inside the electrical bay? By an electrician, I suppose?

[Goostoff]

Does your cord unplug from the side of the trailer? This isnt the exact one I was looking for but the correct one would keep you from crawling around.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If you do add a transfer switch I'd get one rated at double the possible load. I.e. 60 amp rating. That is what Magnum does for their inverters.

Some air conditioners can be run on a 15 amp circuit. Try yours out and measure the voltage drop. If it stays above 107 volts it will be fine.

[time2roll]

http://www.bestconverter.com/Powermax-30-Amp-Transfer-Switch

[BurbMan]

Roy, if the OP has to crawl under the slide to plug the shore cord into the gen set, it doesn't sound like the gen set was wired in with a transfer switch from the factory. We don't know what kind of RV this is either, MH or towable.

[RoyB]

I would think your unit should already have this feature. Turning on the generator should do an autoswitch from Shore Power to Generator Power after a few seconds.

What does the manual say...

Roy Ken

[accsys]

Free Range Human wrote:
I'd be happy even if it required me to unplug from the pedestal first, just as long as the crawling-on-the-ground part wasn't required.

A 30AMP extension cord plugged into the generator and long enough to get out from under the slide might work and make it easier to switch between shore and generator.

[wolfe10]

What you are describing is an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).

If you install one and set up to favor the generator, if you turn on the generator, it will automatically switch to that (and only that) power source.

Yes, it is safer to unplug from shore power even with an ATS, and it sounds like that would not be too much of a chore.

[BurbMan]

Transfer switch.

[naturist]

You need to be aware that unless the generator and air conditioner circuits are completely isolated from the pedestal, electrically, what you are proposing to do will destroy the generator. We are talking explode in flames destroy. And they simply don't come from the factory wired that way.

It is a whole bunch less expensive to have the house/garage wired with a proper 30 amp, 120 volt outlet than it is to attempt to take the air conditioner off the pedestal and hook it up to the generator ONLY. And that is not even counting running costs for the generator.

If you do this, be sure that the electrician who does the wiring knows that the 30 amp outlet is NOT TO BE 240 volt, but 120 volt, lest you burn out every circuit and device in the RV.