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Bill Thorsberg · 05-22-2006, 08:44 AM

I have a 3500 watt generator that has two "modes" it can drive 2 duplex 110V 15A outlets or it can drive a single 220v outlet at what I am assuming is somewhere upwards of 20 Amps (based on two 110v 15A's). My question is really not about the RV but about being able to somehow convert either the two 15A circuits to a single 30 amp one, or the single 220v possibly 30 amp circuit to a 110v 30 amp or so - I'm trying to get the right kind of plug and high enough current rating to be able to plug in my Camper's electrical supply line without having to use one of those little converters that lets you use a standard 110v 15A outlet. Anyone with electrical expertise on this sort of thing have a direction to point me in other than buying a different generator?

Bill Thorsberg · 05-22-2006, 08:44 AM

I have a 3500 watt generator that has two "modes" it can drive 2 duplex 110V 15A outlets or it can drive a single 220v outlet at what I am assuming is somewhere upwards of 20 Amps (based on two 110v 15A's). My question is really not about the RV but about being able to somehow convert either the two 15A circuits to a single 30 amp one, or the single 220v possibly 30 amp circuit to a 110v 30 amp or so - I'm trying to get the right kind of plug and high enough current rating to be able to plug in my Camper's electrical supply line without having to use one of those little converters that lets you use a standard 110v 15A outlet. Anyone with electrical expertise on this sort of thing have a direction to point me in other than buying a different generator?

Hitchhiker · 05-22-2006, 09:16 AM

I'm no expert on generators but I think getting 30 amps @ 115 volts is a losing proposition with the generator you're describing. Most likely it has two separate windings each developing 115 volts @ 15 amps and adds them together to get the 30 amps @ 220 volts.

If I'm wrong, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will post and correct me.

Some 3500 or 4000 watt generators will have a separate twist lock outlet for 115 volts @ 30 amps.

alvinc · 05-22-2006, 10:14 AM

This wouldn't be a Kipor, or variant, generator would it?

On the Woodall's rv board there have been numerous, approaching thousands of posts about just this issue. Buying an inexpensive China built generator and rewiring it for 30 amps 120 VAC. This link is to a thread that has 538 posts, and there are others, do a search.

The bottom line is that it depends on the generator, how it is wired, and your skills as an electrician.

If your generator is 240 VAC capable, it should have a 240 VAC circuit breaker. What is it rated for? More than likely it is a 15 amp 240 VAC circuit breaker. If so, then it is possible that the generator could be rewired for 30 amps 120 VAC.

Jumbo Jet · 05-25-2006, 05:49 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hitchhiker:
I'm no expert on generators but I think getting 30 amps @ 115 volts is a losing proposition with the generator you're describing. Most likely it has two separate windings each developing 115 volts @ 15 amps and adds them together to get the 30 amps @ 220 volts. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A generator that could provide a 30 amp 220 volt outlet would be capable of an output of 6600 watts.

Bill Thorsberg · 05-29-2006, 12:43 PM

I can email pictures of the panel of the generator to show the circuit breakers and outlets - the 115v outlets are standard duplex 115 15a just like you'd have in your house. The 220v 30a outlet is a single 3 blade outlet with one straight blade and two that twist lock. The circuit breakers (2) are labelled each 115v and collectively 220v. My assumption is that there is someway to get from the 220v 3 prong twistlock receptacle to a standard RV 115v 30a receptacle with little trouble - I just don't know where to go to look for this "converter" plug or gizmo.

Ken Lenger · 05-30-2006, 04:19 AM

Something is fishy about this. As posted, 220vac at 30 amps is 6600 watts, but the generator claims to be a 3500 watt generator. I suspect that what you have is a 220 vac generator capable of 15 amps or two 110 vac outlets at 15 amps each, which are 180? out of phase. Is so, there is no simple way to convert the generator to a 120 vac 30 amp generator. The type of generator you have is popular for construction site generators because two different power tools can be plugged into the 115 vac outlets and use the full capacity of the generator. If your RV had 50 amp service, then you could plug the generator into the RV using the right adapter and have 15 amps on each side (instead of 50) of the electrical system. If you have a 30 amp RV, then you cannot take advantage of the generator's full capacity, unless you plug an appliance (MW?) directly into the generator, bypassing the RV electrical system. If none of this makes any sense to you, I strongly suggest that you just use one of the 15 amp outlets or get an RV generator.

diandtom · 05-31-2006, 10:50 AM

If you got one of the generators from China like I have. The generator has two windings. One winding goes to the 110V plug and both go to the 220V plug. It will run the air but barely. I just made a mod on mine putting both windings in parallel on the 110V plug. It is easy to do, takes about 15 minuites. If you need more email me and I will explain more. I got mine from Pep Boys.
Tom

electric6 · 06-15-2006, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the chuckle guys; actually some of the info being shared is RIGHT ON, Thirty years of being an Electrician I get a lot of inquires from Neighbors and Co-workers about exactly this topic. My only concern is SAFETY! Modifying any tool or equipment will VOID the U/L listing (IF IT HAS ONE) not to mention create a FIRE Hazard, and if the fore mentioned does cause a fire, Your insurance company will void your insurance, and the national association of insurance underwriters or NAIU have a little group that investigate causes of fires so they don't have to pay! Not to mention the SHOCK Value.