Starting generator

[sailordude]

We have a 2003 Expedition. Is it OK to start the generator if the coach is plugged into shore power. I have been told there is a transfer switch that will automatically make the switchover with no problems, but what if the unit doesn't transfer correctly? sure don't what to create problems. One more question, the old coach batteries were kind of bulging. They were the original batteries (4 years old), so put in 4 new batteries. The next day, I looked at them at they were sweating on the outside. They were nice and cool, but I have never seen a battery sweat. Is this normal??

[sailordude]

We have a 2003 Expedition. Is it OK to start the generator if the coach is plugged into shore power. I have been told there is a transfer switch that will automatically make the switchover with no problems, but what if the unit doesn't transfer correctly? sure don't what to create problems. One more question, the old coach batteries were kind of bulging. They were the original batteries (4 years old), so put in 4 new batteries. The next day, I looked at them at they were sweating on the outside. They were nice and cool, but I have never seen a battery sweat. Is this normal??

[joelyn]

correct about the genny. the transfer switch should always accept the genny power first, but i would not trust it unless i had no choice. when i excerise the genny in a park i always just trip the campground breakers off to aviod any possible problems. if batteries are buldging than yes they are bad but not sure on the sweating part.

[Jack Myton]

It is my understanding that the transfer switch is designed to allow the power to flow from only one source at a time.

[exrench]

That is condensation on the outside of the battery.The acid and lead contained therein resists warming for a long time and will sweat in high temperature and high humidity conditions.Don't sweat it!

[heavyequiptmentmover]

My feelings are that if you transfer power sources,say from CG to generator,as long as there are no large electrical loads on the coach circuits there is no harm done.

I f you try to make the transfer with say an air conditioner on pulling 15-20 amps,you then possiably may arc the points of the effected relays.

Lesson learned-get rid of large electrical loads before before transferring power sources.

[Hillbilly2]

I have not looked at an RV transfer switch, but they should be of the same design as a regular transfer switch, they are mechanically interlocked to where both sources cannot energize the load at the same time.