Genset Questions

[macnkat]

We have always had shore power in our travels and really only use the genset for A/C while on the move. It seems most threads are about amps...30 or 50 and not to overload you system. My Onan 5500 Gold is rated in watts, as I'm sure many of you know, and also has a 45+ amp max output.

When using the genset as primary power, how should I keep track of what I'm loading on the unit? Watts or amps?

[Dr4Film]

When you do the math, your Gen-Set is rated for maximum of either 45 amps or 5500 watts.

Most appliances will be rated in WATTS but then some are rated in amps. You can monitor either one. There are online conversion web sites that will do the math for you.

Only you know exactly what has been hooked up to your coach and is being used at any given time. Just keep track of (Watts,) turned on and don't overload the system.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[mahon1993]

You can use Ohm's law to figure watts or amps. Volts times Amps equals Watts or the other way, Watts divided by volts equals Amps. To find the total usage just add up each appliance you want to use at the same time.
Greg

[RickO]

If you have an EMS which displays how many amps you're currently using I would just keep an eye on that and keep it below 45... which is a lot of amps for typical use.

rick

[macnkat]

I think I'll label a few of the heavy hitters in the RV with the appropriate usage so it will be easier to adjust. The small lights in RV's are very low I presume.

[macnkat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO If you have an EMS which displays how many amps you're currently using I would just keep an eye on that and keep it below 45... which is a lot of amps for typical use. rick

With a 30amp coach will the wiring be OK over 30amps?

[Gary RVRoamer]

If its a 30A coach, it can't draw over 30A without tripping the main breaker in the load center (breaker box), so the wiring is not an issue. That's why the breakers are there - to protect the wiring.

Some 30A coaches have an additional circuit outside the main load center so that more things (usually a second a/c) can be run when the genset is running. That extra circuit is also protected by its own breaker.

[macnkat]

Got it, thanks. I forgot about the on-board breakers.

[ga traveler]

If you have a 33 ft. bounder with 30 amp and two A/C,s . You have the intellitec shed system. You don,t have to worry about amp draw. your system will automatically shed the load as needed.

[tomkaren]

Thanks for the good info. I had to laugh last week when we had to power our house off of a 5500 watt gen. One 30 amp breaker with a # 10 wire. It doesn't matter what the badge on the gen says, 30 amps is 30 amps. Got by and made the best of it.I made Karen google ohm's law. They didn't teach that in accounting classes. At 50 or so we can still learn...Tom