C class genertor

[Davion206]

When we start our generator for the monthly run, do we disconnect the rv from shore power???

[joebedford]

My generator trips the ground-fault breaker at the stick house so I always unplug from the house before exercising or if I need to run air conditioning.

[Chum_lee]

maillemaker wrote:
And it all depends on your RV. If you've got an older one like me, you can't be on shore power and generator at the same time. The entire RV feeds through one line. If you unplug it from the socket for the generator to plug it into shore power, then you can't be on generator power. Likewise if you unplug it from shore power to plug it back into the generator socket, you can't be on shore power.

So it's real easy with a old RV. If you aren't plugged into the generator output socket, the genset power is going nowhere - it's just running doing nothing.

Yes. This is true on older systems. The power pigtail must be plugged into one or the other (generator outlet or shore power plug) to get 120 volts unless you have a appliances which power up independently from a 120 volt inverter wired into the 12 volt house or chassis system.

Chum lee

[maillemaker]

And it all depends on your RV. If you've got an older one like me, you can't be on shore power and generator at the same time. The entire RV feeds through one line. If you unplug it from the socket for the generator to plug it into shore power, then you can't be on generator power. Likewise if you unplug it from shore power to plug it back into the generator socket, you can't be on shore power.

So it's real easy with a old RV. If you aren't plugged into the generator output socket, the genset power is going nowhere - it's just runnning doing nothing.

[MrWizard]

Yes... Takes two minutes, and unplug shower power

This forum has posts from people who did not do this and damaged the generator or some appliances or both, along with replacing the transfer switch

[Kayteg1]

pianotuna wrote:
Why risk a several thousand dollar generator by trusting a 25 dollar transfer switch? Unplug before you start the generator.

Now you are making danger up.
Even if TS fails and freeze, it will simply stay on shore power.
Nothing will damage generator.

[pianotuna]

Why risk a several thousand dollar generator by trusting a 25 dollar transfer switch? Unplug before you start the generator.

[Kayteg1]

Janss wrote:


So I ask you, Kayteg1....If I understand your post correctly, you are indicating that it doesn't matter if one is plugged into shore power when running the generator. Are you saying that the automatic switch will switch over to generator power when shore power is already plugged in?

That is how priority are set in the system.
Generator is always the first choice. When no power from generator, shore power is 2nd choice.
When no power from both above it switches to batteries.
Than if you have 3-way fridge with Auto button it is going to be
1. 120V
2. propane
3. 12V
All done automatically unless you override it.

[2oldman]

Janss wrote:
..it doesn't matter if one is plugged into shore power when running the generator. Are you saying that the automatic switch will switch over to generator power when shore power is already plugged in?

There's one sure way to know. If the generator bogs down when you run the air that will tell you.

[KD4UPL]

My auto transfer switch will switch to the gen when it is started even if plugged into shore power. I assumed they all did that but maybe not.
OP, depends on how your switch is set up. If shore is priority you need to unplug to load the gen. If gen is priority then no need. If you're not trying to load then gen then it doesn't matter but I don't know why you'd run it with no load.
Unplugging is always fine, just an extra step sometimes.

[gbopp]

I have an automatic transfer switch and I always unplug from shore power when I start the generator. Just in case.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Hmmmm. Unclear on the concept..........

By unplugging, the generator will take the load of the AC. It uses more fuel. It will heat the engine up much faster and is that not the object of starting the engine? Stator windings dry out. So does the voltage regulator. The oil boils off condensation and gasoline vapors.

Leaving it plugged in is sort of similar to watching someone else exercise on TV.

[ksg5000]

I disconnect my rig from shore power even though it has an auto transfer switch - only takes a second and you occasionally read a thread about transfer switches sticking.

[Janss]

We are at Cummins right now having our Onan generator repaired. I asked the guy working on it if it is okay to run the generator while plugged into shore power. He said since we have the automatic switch, there should be no harm, but he still wouldn't do it. He also said that shore power was the default.

So I ask you, Kayteg1....If I understand your post correctly, you are indicating that it doesn't matter if one is plugged into shore power when running the generator. Are you saying that the automatic switch will switch over to generator power when shore power is already plugged in?

[Kayteg1]

If you have automatic switch-over it will switch the power for you.
No need to worry.
Ditto on putting some load on generator. Give it 2 minutes to warm up and than switch-on AC or electric heater.