Adding a 30 amp outlet

[HNA]

Can anyone point me to where I can find a good resource on how to add a 30 amp outlet to my RV? I want to use my RV generator to supply my house. I have a professionally installed switch gear system that accepts a 30 amp plug from a portable generator. It's gas and loud. I want to use my RV diesel gennie instead.

[jesilvas]

You want an OUTlet on the RV? If so, I would add a junction box near the genset, run wires to it from the genset, and add an outlet on the face of it.

[vsheetz]

Is the 30a inlet on the house 240v? Likely it is. Is the RV genny 240v output?

[HNA]

Thanks for the reply. That's what I want to do. I'm just not sure where's the best/proper place to pull the power from?

[mel s]

Originally Posted by HNA

Can anyone point me to where I can find a good resource on how to add a 30 amp outlet to my RV? I want to use my RV generator to supply my house. I have a professionally installed switch gear system that accepts a 30 amp plug from a portable generator. It's gas and loud. I want to use my RV diesel gennie instead.

HNA
Most RV gensets only output 120VAC power.
If your "professionally installed switch gear system" is wired to accept the AC from a 240V generator you may be SOL.

Mel
'96 Safari, 6.3 Kw, (120V only), Onan

[HNA]

Sounds like I'm sol I guess. I have a 7.5 Onan. I know my house has 2 legs of 120 coming from the generator. 6 circuits. My well pump takes 120 off each leg for 240. Everything else is 120.

[Dennis4809]

Pretty sure that you'll find that your generator provides the voltage you need, just a matter of taping the right wires. I'd look at the breaker in the gen set. Should be a two pole, 240v breaker. Tap there and run to a jbox with the appropriate outlet. Your RV uses both legs of the 240 but only one leg to ground, not across the two 120 legs.

Any electrician can wire.

[HNA]

Thanks Dennis.

[targaboat]

The OP mentioned 30 amp outlet. Then you all are talking about what we know as 50amp which includes two poles. No one appears to be in the same page. Another thing we do not know is how the switch gear is set up. Also, I just looked at the spec sheets for the Onan product line they appear to do not offer a 240volt version until you get in the 10000 size.

If we are trying to information based on available information we are being inaccurate and dangerous.

[HNA]

I'll take a look at it tomorrow. I'm almost certain my house battery compartment has a label that says 120/240 ⚡️Caution. I need to find out exactly what I'm working with. The house is setup up to accept 240v 30 amps with a 4 prong plug. We are going on day three without power in York Pa. My gas gennie is killing us with noise and burning a gallon an hour. Power may not be back until Sunday 😫. Maybe I'll just in-winterize and move into the RV. 😀

[Theberrys]

Use a AC Volt Meter across the two breakers on the Genny. If it's not 220 there than the output are in phase and no way you will get what you need. If you don't have an AC Volt meter your in dangerous territory and should hire someone to do this. Even if you do hire it done, do not let them hook into the house before you see 220 VAC on there meter. They all don't know about the wiring in your Motor Home and can cause a lot of problems. Don't wire anything before the breakers on the Genny, you may just need them to avoid a call to your insurance company

If you do get to the point that you install the new outlet be sure to label it well, because it will not be anything that someone would reasonability expect to find in a Motor Home.

Dick

[doublechevy]

I have done exactly what you are trying to do to enable me to use my generator to provide power to my home.

I added a a 30A 120/240 4 wire outlet NEMA configuration 14-30 R in a weatherproof box adjacent to the Generator, ran 3 # 8 wires and 1 # 10 in 3/4" non metalic flexible conduit. connected to the existing junction block at the generator output terminals. the circuit breaker protection on a 7500Kw generator is rated at 35A #8 wire depending on the type of insulation used is 40 t0 45A

[mel s]

Originally Posted by HNA

Maybe I'll just in-winterize and move into the RV. ��

HNA
IMO, that's the best idea posted so far.....(mid-emergency is not the best time to modify your RV to provide emergency power to your home).

Based on the differing opinions and advice in the many replies to your original question I would suggest doing nothing to your RV until the current emergency is over, (other than un-winterzing and moving into it).

When the current emergency is over you will have the time to investigate and determine what is possible with your particular RV generator.. and if, (and/or how), an outlet can be safely added to your RV to provide power to your home via your 240v 30a "switch gear system", (which I assume is an automatic transfer switch?).

Good luck

Mel
'96 Safari

[HNA]

Mel,
Thanks for the reply. My switch gear is manual. I wasn't expecting to get this done before the power is back, I hope. Lol. It just makes sense to use my diesel gennie if I can get it set up safe/correct. The good news is I already discovered my onan is 120/240, so it has the right power. I like the conditioned power that is supplied by the RV. I just don't understand the system that well. I know if my house batteries have a loose connection I get low power to my appliances and ac units. I assume the power is coming from my house battery system even if the generator is running at least to anything that can run on my inverter. Lots of research ahead.