Bounder: Starting generator and not unplugging

[Nomad Vegans]

I have a question, we have a Fleetwood bounder 34J 1996. I was once told that I should unplug from the pedestal in order to start the generator. He said in older rigs it can create a problem. Don’t want to unplug necessarily because it causes me to have to reprogram the TV and satellite. Any thoughts appreciated.

[TriMoot]

I was told the same thing and have never done it..so I'll be watching this with interest. Sort of makes sense though...if you're already plugged in and getting 120V AC, why start the generator? I could see that it could cause problems.

I have a 97 RexAir.

[Podivin]

The only thing I've heard/been told is to turn off any heavy draw appliances (AC, heat, etc) before turning on or off the generator. This is for the benefit of the transfer switch.

*I* would say that you need to unplug from the pedestal when exercising the generator just so you KNOW that the power has switched over to the generator. Otherwise you can only assume that things have switched like they are supposed to. But you could do that after waiting a few minutes, to give the power time to switch, and that way not lose your programming.

[saddlesore]

When camping or here at the S & B,Coach if plugged in also have the gen set on auto-start.. Have lost shorepower on a few occasions, and didn't realize that the shorepower had failed (bad pedestal/wide spread power outage etc.) batteries took over .. didn't know it until the low voltage alarms cut loose... batteries were nearly depleted..

[J2Jake]

We dry camped after a Hurricane a few years back. When power came back on something in the transfer switch malfunctioned and I thought we were on fire! Luckily just tons of stinky smoke. Anyway I now ensure I have only one power source "hot" at a time. In my opinion better to reset a few items than replace an inverter!

[Jthigh]

The issue is that the inverter/charger has to synchronize the AC waveform from the generator with the incoming AC shore power. All is well if your system synchronizes correctly but if not expect fireworks. Ours is supposed to synchronize the signals when switching but I don’t. Not worth the risk in my book. That’s just me, don’t want to have to replace inverter.

[twinboat]

When the auto transfer switch, switchs to generator after its 30 second delay, you'll loose the sat program anyway.

Auto transfer switchs never hook up both shore and generator power.

ANYTIME your generator is running it will switch to it. That's how they are programmed. Shut down the generator and it goes back to shore power.

Google any brand of RV auto transfer switch and read about its operation, rather then a forum.

[Bullitt6283]

Use a small UPS like the desktop computer users use for your sat and tv power. It reacts fast enough that you won't lose your sat or television settings, and will keep them running long enough for the power to switch over.

[ga traveler]

The transfer switch is set for land line power. When it senses power from the generator it has a delay switch built in that allows the generator to stablize for 30 seconds to 1 minute before switching to generator power. You will still be getting power from the land line until the switch changing occurs. It is OK to have both running at the same time, but you will only receive power from the generator as long as it is running. As another poster has already said, It is better to remove all heavy loads before changing over to keep from arcing the points.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by twinboat

When the auto transfer switch, switchs to generator after its 30 second delay, you'll loose the sat program anyway.

Auto transfer switchs never hook up both shore and generator power.

ANYTIME your generator is running it will switch to it. That's how they are programmed. Shut down the generator and it goes back to shore power.

Google any brand of RV auto transfer switch and read about its operation, rather then a forum.

Everyone is assuming the OP has an automatic transfer switch. Maybe he does and maybe not. The Op's MH is a 1996 while my Fleetwood is a 2002 without a transfer switch. I have to manually plug my shore cord into shore power or the plug from the generator.
Lynn

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

Everyone is assuming the OP has an automatic transfer switch. Maybe he does and maybe not. The Op's MH is a 1996 while my Fleetwood is a 2002 without a transfer switch. I have to manually plug my shore cord into shore power or the plug from the generator.
Lynn

If that's the case, then he can run his generator at any time, with out loosing his TV programming.

But then, why would he ask.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by twinboat

If that's the case, then he can run his generator at any time, with out loosing his TV programming.

But then, why would he ask.

He could be like me. When I first bought my Class A I had been reading about transfer switches etc. on this forum. I previously had a Class C with no on board generator.
After having the A for a couple weeks I decided to try the generator. I was really disappointed when I had no power anywhere in the A. The friend I bought my A from had told me the generator had been recently serviced and worked fine. My friends first question was, "Did you plug the power cord in"?
Once I did I had all the power I was looking for.
Lynn

[Soppy]

As long as you have a proper functioning automatic transfer switch , you do not need to unplug when running the generator. The one thing you should do is switch off the heavy electrical loads before switching power sources. Switching under load will result in the transfer switch contacts arcing and will shorten the life of the switch. The A/C units should be off for at least 3 minutes to prevent compressor damage.

[House Husband]

Bounders have had auto transfer switches since their inception in 1988.
1996 Bounder does not have an OEM inverter/converter. Just a converter.
You may start you generator while plugged in to shore power. The auto transfer switch will keep both power sources isolated. You may want to manually shut down your air conditioner before changing power sources. AC Compressor damage while switching under load is an Internet myth. The transfer switch is designed to switch while under load but it's longevity could be reduced.

Richard
95 Bounder 32H F53