Always more to learn

[Belgian]

We were out dry camping this past week in our 2004 Dolphin. Ran the gen before dinner to recharge the batteries and also to run the convection oven. On our last day our gen kept popping the 30 amp breaker at the generator. I reset the breaker about 3 times and finally gave up thinking we had a problem with the oven.
Today, at home with more tools, I checked all the connections in the transfer box. All were tight. I started the gen and check voltage, 119VAC at each leg. Started the oven and reckd voltage #1 118VAC #2 119VAC. Then I ckd amperage, #1 26 amps, #2 2 amps. Shut the gen off and pulled the breaker panel inside and ckd for loose connection. All were fine. Restarted the gen and ckd voltage at the panel inside. OK. Ckd amp draw on the oven , 12 amps, next wire is the water heater, 14 amps. 'That equals 26 amps'. Shut off the water heater and reckd amps at the transfer switch, 12 amps.
So... what I learned was the oven and electric water heater are on the same leg. If the water heater and the oven are working at the same time it overloads the generator breaker. From now on I'll use the propane water heater when dry camping or only run the oven after the electric water heater has cycled off.

[Nuge]

Seems they don't always balance the load very well, do they? Good find AND info!!

[Billieg]

I just found out my hot water heater has a 110 switch! I know, you learn something new everyday and this is a great place to find it out.

[bluepill]

It's good to know which loads are on each leg, so that you have the chance to balance them. My MH has most of the loads - including all of the outlets - on one leg. It's done because these loads can be run by my 2KW inverter.

[Nuge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian We were out dry camping this past week in our 2004 Dolphin. Ran the gen before dinner to recharge the batteries and also to run the convection oven. On our last day our gen kept popping the 30 amp breaker at the generator. I reset the breaker about 3 times and finally gave up thinking we had a problem with the oven. Today, at home with more tools, I checked all the connections in the transfer box. All were tight. I started the gen and check voltage, 119VAC at each leg. Started the oven and reckd voltage #1 118VAC #2 119VAC. Then I ckd amperage, #1 26 amps, #2 2 amps. Shut the gen off and pulled the breaker panel inside and ckd for loose connection. All were fine. Restarted the gen and ckd voltage at the panel inside. OK. Ckd amp draw on the oven , 12 amps, next wire is the water heater, 14 amps. 'That equals 26 amps'. Shut off the water heater and reckd amps at the transfer switch, 12 amps. So... what I learned was the oven and electric water heater are on the same leg. If the water heater and the oven are working at the same time it overloads the generator breaker. From now on I'll use the propane water heater when dry camping or only run the oven after the electric water heater has cycled off.

Can you move the water heater feed to the other "phase"? Or move a swap breaker positions to balance your load?

[Belgian]

I think I'll leave things the way they are. On the other leg is the A/C and both compressors (basement air). The other large amp items would be the battery charger, front TV, rear TV, DVD player, inverter and I think 4 circuts of outlets. These are evenly distributed on both legs.

Here is the part I don't understand. I thought when you ran the gen it was the same as having 50amp shore power. Having two 30amp breakers on the gen only gives you 30amp service. Is that right?

[Nuge]

I just went through that kind of question here, too!! My generator puts out over 50 Amps but has the 30 Amp shore power input. In my case I have more power available from the generator than when on shore power. If you have two 30 Amp breakers, your total power available should be 60 Amps I believe...

[Billieg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuge I just went through that kind of question here, too!! My generator puts out over 50 Amps but has the 30 Amp shore power input. In my case I have more power available from the generator than when on shore power. If you have two 30 Amp breakers, your total power available should be 60 Amps I believe...

Ya it is for the gen. but when you plug into the shore power only 1 30 amp leg gets power. Just run a 20 amp cord to the MH and hook it into the switch for the rear air and another outlet.