Adding a 50 amp plug to the Generator Prep Pkg

[Zilchers]

Hey all!

I am no electrician, so looking for some guidance. I just purchased a 5th wheel with the generator prep package. Not my first camper, but my first 5th wheel. I am not interested in spending many of thousands of dollars more for an onboard generator.

My question is, is it possible to wire a plug onto the generator prep package so I can use a regular external inverter generator through the Gen Prep Package?

Any detailed help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Persistent]

The answer is "yes" and "no". Probably the prep package contains only the wires inside the walls. A wired installation requires a transfer switch. Transfer switches come in all kinds of flavors. Some are part of a big inverter/charger/converter system. Some are simpler.

If you have a big inverter system, you may also have a transfer switch in it. It may or may not have connections for a generator. You would still need to know how to connect everything safely.

You should not try unless you are an electrician. There are too many alternate situations and pitfalls if you don't know what to look for.

Plugging your shore power cord into the generator is a rudimentary transfer switch. It safely disconnects shore power before activating the generator. This is a must for safe operation and not causing smoke and flames. There are major ground fault issues that can also be complected.

On the other hand someone may have done it with a duplicate of your unit and written or videoed detailed steps. You would have to follow instructions carefully and trust the manufacturer has not changed anything.

I wish you good luck and safe trails ahead!

[Zilchers]

Thanks for that explanation. I think that gets me where I want to go.

I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me.

[theoldwizard]

If you are planing on using an external, portable generator just buy an extension cord with the correct ends for the generator and the 5er.

If you are planning on mounting a portable generator inside the generator bay, then you will need a transfer switch to prevent the generator from backfeeding the standard inlet plug. Even a MANUAL transfer switch can be very expensive !

Mount your portable generator in the generator bay and use and extension cord !

[rarebear.nm]

Agree with above, the simple, safe and cheapest solution is to the plug the shore power cable into the generator output. May need a 30 to 50 amp dogbone.

If you have a power protection device, surge protector, what ever, it will likely require a bond between neutral and ground on the incoming cable. No big deal. You can buy a N-G bonding plug or easily make one. All you need is a three prong male plug, I prefer a 20 amp version, and a short piece of 12 gauge wire and loop it between the ground and neutral inside the male plug. Then plug it into any open 20 amp outlet on the generator. Problem solved. If you not sure which connector is which on the plug, the ground is bottom round like blade. The neutral is the taller of the two rectangular outlets. Neutral is typically silver in color while the hot prong is commonly brass in color.

I'd get a better grade plug that has three holes to insert the wire into and side screws to tighten the connection. Little chance to have any stray strands if using stranded wire.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Persistent

If you have a big inverter system, you may also have a transfer switch in it. It may or may not have connections for a generator. You would still need to know how to connect everything safely.

Yes, many inverter/chargers include an automatic transfer switch. They will select between shore power, generator or battery for powering your RV. However, I have not seen any that provide 240V split phase output which is required if you have more than one A/C !

Originally Posted by Persistent

Plugging your shore power cord into the generator is a rudimentary transfer switch. It safely disconnects shore power before activating the generator. This is a must for safe operation and not causing smoke and flames.

Too easy for someone to do something wrong ! You need a "fool proof solution" like a real transfer switch.

[twinboat]

Inverter/chargers select between inverter power or shore power. Its a pass thru switch more then a transfer switch.

I have never seen one with a generator input.

There is no way to use your present inverter ( if you have one ) to do what you want to do.

A stand-alone auto transfer switch is $50 to $100, depending on it being 30 or 50 amps. That's what you need.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Inverter/chargers select between inverter power or shore power. Its a pass thru switch more then a transfer switch.

I have never seen one with a generator input.

All of these Samlex inverter/chargers/automatic transfer have both shore power and generator power input. They even have a generator start output.

[HDGoose]

I plug my generator in via the shore power. When on generator, I run my water heater and fridge on propane.

I have a 7250/5500 generator. Enough to run my 5th wheel camper augmented by propane. I like the Honda EU7000, but it only has slightly more amperage than my current gen. But cleaner power delivery and less noise.

[cavie]

You do not need an "Sutomatic transfer switch to do this. Many rigs come with or used to come with Manual plug in connections. The shore power would comt to the gen location and you would have your choice of manual connection to the rig or Gen connection to the rig. Just a plug connection of one or the other. Very easy set up. Plug the shore power cord to the Electric panel or plug the gen to the Electric panel. Very easy.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

All of these Samlex inverter/chargers/automatic transfer have both shore power and generator power input. They even have a generator start output.

Never said they don't make them.

I said, I've never seen, or for that mater, even read about any RV on this site having one, have you ?

Be an expensive upgrade, compared to a simple free standing ATS.

[shane wood]

Originally Posted by Zilchers

Hey all!



I am no electrician, so looking for some guidance. I just purchased a 5th wheel with the generator prep package. Not my first camper, but my first 5th wheel. I am not interested in spending many of thousands of dollars more for an onboard generator.



My question is, is it possible to wire a plug onto the generator prep package so I can use a regular external inverter generator through the Gen Prep Package?



Any detailed help would be appreciated.



Thanks!

Normally generator prep comes with a transfer switch.if that's the case you would just wire one end of the cord to the transfer switch gen side and plug into your generator check in the front bay normally where the batteries are too see if yours came with one

[1960C182]

I don't have the " Generater prep " but use a portable gen sitting in my pickup bed when we take our dogs so we can put them in rv if we stop at a PoI. I added an auto-transfer switch along with a 2nd 50 amp plug at the front wall. I'm glad I did as I have been at sites that without the front plug would have needed an extension cord.

[Bob_C]

I'm doing the same thing right now.....transfer switch will be here tomorrow.....