Community Forums

illusionist · 12-25-2013, 03:20 PM

Hi there
Maybe this is a stupid question. LOl
But I'm visiting my parents house and I'm in my 2000 coachman sorts coach DP
I plugged in to there house a separate outlet so pretty much I'm the only thing on it. But running the small space heater will end up tripping the breaker in the house. It runs for about 10-12 minutes then trips and no power.

Easy to go in and reset but. I wan to run a small space heater in my room before bed to heat it up.

While plugged in can I also run my generator so I can plug in and run the heater the heater.

Thanks
And merry Christmas every one.

Sam

bdickson · 12-25-2013, 03:49 PM

Typically no. You cannot run off of shore power and generator at the same time. The transfer switch in most motor homes will automatically select one or the other.

smiller · 12-25-2013, 04:06 PM

As above, the transfer switch makes it an either - or kind of deal. You can't combine the two power sources without special equipment to match frequency and phase, which means forget about it in any practical terms. But if your generator is connected to the RV with a standard type of electrical connector instead of being hardwired (as many are) you could unplug the generator from the unit and into an adapter cable, and power the additional load from that. But if you are willing to that it would probably be easier (and a lot less expensive) to just run another cord from a separate circuit in the house.

CampDaven · 12-25-2013, 04:10 PM

Space heaters usually have 2 settings: 750 and 1500 watts. Will it run at 750 while plugged into the house?

papaw.1 · 12-25-2013, 04:16 PM

Hi Sam,
I really don't know about your coachman but,I have a 2011 Damon and if you are plugged into shore power and start the Gen.The transfer switch will close out the shore power, So on mine you can't have both.The Gen.over rides the shore power.Good Luck

illusionist · 12-25-2013, 04:33 PM

Thx all

That's what I was kind of assuming would happen.
No worries. I'll run the gen so I can run the space heater to warm up the room before bed then plug back in for the night. The furnace will keep it warm enough

Thx for all your help
Sam

jesilvas · 12-25-2013, 04:47 PM

Why not just run the furnace only and stay plugged in?

bdickson · 12-25-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesilvas

Why not just run the furnace only and stay plugged in?

Right.Typically a propane furnace will heat a room up a lot faster than an electric heater will.

Selah · 12-25-2013, 07:05 PM

Typically the MH electric system will be generator preferred. That is if you are on shore power and your start the generator the transfer switch will disconnect from shore and go to generator to power the coach.

NeilV · 12-25-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illusionist

Hi there
Maybe this is a stupid question. LOl
But I'm visiting my parents house and I'm in my 2000 coachman sorts coach DP
I plugged in to there house a separate outlet so pretty much I'm the only thing on it. But running the small space heater will end up tripping the breaker in the house. It runs for about 10-12 minutes then trips and no power.

Easy to go in and reset but. I wan to run a small space heater in my room before bed to heat it up.

While plugged in can I also run my generator so I can plug in and run the heater the heater.

Thanks
And merry Christmas every one.

Sam

I am presuming that you are plugged into a standard outlet with an adapter for your RVs power cord.

Have you tried the simple approach that was suggested of just running the heater at the 750 watt setting?

What does your load panel show the coach is drawing just sitting there? If it is over a few amps then you may have a problem with the house batteries drawing a constant charge and possibly be in need of replacement.

Can you also set the load managment in the coach to 20 amps? This would automatically turn off the fridge, charger, electric water heater and other non-critical systems that can be shut down for several minutes by the power management system when the heater was running.

Is the outlet your plugged into on a 15 amp circuit breaker? If it is you may do better trying to find another outlet nearby that is on a 20 or 30 amp breaker.

adamfolger · 12-25-2013, 11:54 PM

Most garage outlets are 20 amp while inhouse are 15 amps. Try the garage. Also make sure the water heater in on propane mode. Electric heaters ran on low will work fine on a 15 amp outlet if there are no other power draws on that circuit. You should only use a 20 amp or better extension cord from the coach to the house to prevent overlaod/overheating the cord. 15 amp cord to the house should only be used if all you are doing is charging the coach batteries...

wa8yxm · 12-26-2013, 11:13 AM

The major problem is this.. There are two kinds of transfer switches/systems used in motor homes.

Poor Man's. Means you physicaly move the plug on the end of the shore cord from the "Shore" outlet to a generator outlet, clearly if you have this system it's one or the other but not both.

Automatic, When the generator starts, after a brief delay, the switch "Transfers" all loads, if there are major loads (The water heater, Your space heater, Air COnditioners and a few other things) the solenoid contacts on the ATS can weld together and destroy the switch.

So you turn everything off,, I mean the main breakers on the circuit breaker panel, BEFORE you fire up (or shut down) the genny.