New to Class A Generator question

[ephratah]

Have a onan 5500 watt generator and have been thinking about a few things if you are plugged into shore power and the generator gets started is there automatic switch gear that protects the coach from a power surge?
Being new to Class A we are going to have a lot of questions and these forums are a great place to get info from thanks to every one involved in the forums and making this possible

[Peter M]

In my coach when the generator is running, it trumps shore power. The switch from shore power to gen power is controlled by the transfer box.

[twinboat]

Yes, if equipped, your MH will have a automatic transfer switch.

When on shore power all of your electric needs come thu the shore power cord to the main breaker panel.

If you start the generator, the automatic transfer switch is designed to disconnect the shore power, whether its plugged in or not, and connect the generator power. There is a 30 second delay to let the generator stabilize and run smooth before it connects.

If you shut down the generator the auto switch will revert back to the shore power cord.

There is no chance of both combining and causing damage.

Basicly, shore power is the default ( resting ) position and generator is the priority ( power sensing ) position.

If you have a outlet that the shore power cord plugs into, to access its power, in the shore power compartment, you don't have a auto switch.

[denverh]

My FW Storm connects to the generator by plugging the shore cord into an outlet in the Plumb. bay so you can't be connected to generator and shore power at the same time. Sometimes in the lower end models fw didn't have a transfer switch to change from one to the other. The good part is it is simple stupid and no switch to go bad. You are either plugged into the generator, which is what we do when traveling in case we want the generator for microwave, a/c or regular elec for something else or the cord is plugged into shore power post when in a campground. This finding out stuff is the fun part of owning one of these things. Safe travels.

[FatChance]

I try to be gentle with our transfer switch's contact points and avoid hot switches. When I connect to shore power, I turn off the generator first if it is running. And if I want to turn on the generator, I disconnect shore power first.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by FatChance

I try to be gentle with our transfer switch's contact points and avoid hot switches. When I connect to shore power, I turn off the generator first if it is running. And if I want to turn on the generator, I disconnect shore power first.

Good advice. At a minimum turn off the air conditioners.

Ray

[Steve43]

Concur with all the above. Less electrical load, less arching of transfer switch contacts. Just like plugging a lamp into an outlet while on, you get arching at the plug. I try to get below 4 amps before turning off and switching. No heavy loads will reduce wear on transfer switch. If it goes bad, it is usually the contacts that are burnt.

Also, it is recommended to make sure, if you start the generator - then run it under a load (one or two a/c's) at least for a half hour to warm up armature and engine. It usually takes 30 secs for the transfer switch to allow power to the coach (enough time for generator to stabilize) and after that, you can start turning on a load. Just make sure to remove the load from the generator and wait a minute or two before shutting down (a 'cool' cycle).

As suggested, make sure power is off (disconnected) on shore before starting generator and vice versa. Just saving the transfer switch from a lot of arching.

Good luck!

[twinboat]

Reading posts on this site for 5 years, it strongly suggests that most auto transfer switch failures are due to burnt wire connections due to poor installation or connections loosening over time.

The arching contact damage is a internet driven myth. The contacts in the auto transfer switch are huge in comparison to the contacts in the air conditioner start relay and that switchs the compressor on and off multiple times a day for years and years.

RVs with auto generator start systems " hot switch " the auto transfer switch by design.

[lwmcguire]

The burnt wire, loose connection situation started way back and it is something everyone should check

Power off good quality screw driver and check all the terminals tension/torque at the transfer switch and mains at the load center

[vettenuts]

As a precaution, I shut off all my electrical loads prior to starting or shutting down the generator.

[Waiter21]

Have a onan 5500 watt generator and have been thinking about a few things if you are plugged into shore power and the generator gets started is there automatic switch gear that protects the coach from a power surge?

No. The switchgear will automatically change over from shore to genny, but there is nothing to protect against the surge.

Before plugging into shore power, or starting the generator, turn off electrical loads

[Mojim]

Originally Posted by ephratah

Have a onan 5500 watt generator and have been thinking about a few things if you are plugged into shore power and the generator gets started is there automatic switch gear that protects the coach from a power surge?
Being new to Class A we are going to have a lot of questions and these forums are a great place to get info from thanks to every one involved in the forums and making this possible

if you are plugged into shore power … why would you start generator?

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

No. The switchgear will automatically change over from shore to genny, but there is nothing to protect against the surge.

If he has an automatic transfer switch .
The best way for the OP to confirm what system he has is to follow the electrical cable back to the MH and see if it leads to a transfer switch or goes directly into the MH's electrical panel. If the cable goes directly to the electrical panel he does not have a transfer switch.
My '02 Fleetwood does not have a transfer switch. I have to plug the shore cable into a plug in the wet bay to get power from the generator.
Lynn

[twinboat]

I do to exercise it. Run ot a 1/2 hour and shut it down.

Originally Posted by Mojim

if you are plugged into shore power … why would you start generator?