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07PSDCREW · 04-10-2012, 09:06 AM

Hello all, I am curious if anyone can help with ideas to convert a plug or know of an adapter I could use. I bought a Predator genny from harbor freight for all purpose use a year ago and now that I am a 5vr owner, I'd like to use it for the camper. I have 4 120vac 20amp plugs and 1 twist lock 4prong 240vac 30amp single phase plug, it's a 3200 continuous 4000 watt max (I have no idea how they rate it at 30amps at only 3200 cont.) How can I use this unit to power my 5vr?? An adapter?? Thanks. I am handy...so if someone knows how to re-wire an Rv plug in, I'm game.
Thanks
Leon

wb7auk · 04-10-2012, 09:20 AM

Is the 5vr a 30 or 50 amp service

wa8yxm · 04-10-2012, 09:33 AM

Most Generator stores (I do not know about HF) and most RV stores (Which strangley are also generator stores) will have the adapter you need already on the shelf or hook.

Very popular item with RVers.

BFlinn181 · 04-10-2012, 10:11 AM

After looking at the HF manual for your Gen., on pg 11 it shows a plate on the Gen. that lists the capacities of each circuit. The manual doesn't list the way the power is split for its installed outlets. I would imagine you need'll a 4 prong, twist lock male plug fitted to a short cord (of 8 awg wire) to female plug to match your 5ver 30/50 amp shore cord. If the 4 prong is not 100% of gen. capacity, then I'd suggest an extension cord of 3 prong to feed additional load in RV. (plugged directly into lights, TV, etc.

Dave78Chief · 04-10-2012, 10:15 AM

That paticular generator is designed to distribute the loads across seperate L1/L2 coils. One of the 120VAC NEMA 5-15 recepticle (i.e lefthand) is connected to the L1 coil, the other 120VAC NEMA 5-15 recepticle (i.e righthand) is connected to the L2 coil. The 3200/4000 rating is the combined load value distributed between them. Those L1 and L2 leads are 180 degrees out of phase so they can also provide the 240VAC output recepticle with 15 amps over each leg for combined 30 amp load (actually 26 amps for 3200 watts continious). So, if you have a 30 amp rig, you will have to use one of the 15 amp 120 VAC NEMA 5-15 recepticles with a 15 to 30 amp adaptor. If you have a 50 amp rig, you can adapt the 4 prong 240VAC NEMA L14-30 amp plug to connect to your 50 amp trailer plug however, you will be limited to 15 amps each side (L1/L2). You would most likely have to do a make your own adaptor though.

Aftermarket generators like the Champion 46514 that have a 30 amp RV trailer plug built into them have a switch built in that switches the L1/L2 coils in parallel (L1/L2 in phase) for 120 operation that allows 120VAC 30 amp service. In the 240VAC position, it is split like yours (L1/L2 180 degrees out of phase). Your generator just does not provide for this capability.

Dave

wb7auk · 04-10-2012, 10:24 AM

A word to the wise if you make up your own make sure you know how to wire the
plugs for RV service. If not I strongly suggest purchasing the proper item from a
retail supplier.

Dave78Chief · 04-10-2012, 10:33 AM

Both of these use your 240AC recepticle

30 amp RV adaptor: 30 Amp 4-Prong RV Generator Adapter Cord - Conntek Integrated Solutions I 14872 - Electrical Adapters - Camping World (still limited to 15 amp service though)

50 amp RV adaptor: http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-Genera.../dp/B003PY5BVG (still limited to 15 amps per side)

Dave

07PSDCREW · 04-10-2012, 10:45 PM

Information!! I love it. Thank you everyone... Soooo with this generator...I cannot get full 30 amp service with an adapter from either the three prong outlets OR the 4 prong 240 twist loc?? I think that's what you guys are saying.....
I can only get 15 amp?
My unit is in fact 30 amp...sorry for not specifying.

07PSDCREW · 04-10-2012, 11:01 PM

Dave78chief..... Is what you are saying.....I could design my own adapter by wiring two whips of 10awg three prong plugs into a waterproof box and join the hot from each..1 "left" 1 "right" plug on genny to the hots of the 30 amp Rv plug (whip) and tie the neutrals to the ground prong of the 30 amp ?? Basically combining the two legs of the three prongs to get the 30 amp. They say they are 20 amp rated though.
Thanks for all the help everyone.

ottffss · 04-10-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07PSDCREW

... Soooo with this generator...I cannot get full 30 amp service with an adapter from either the three prong outlets OR the 4 prong 240 twist loc?? I think that's what you guys are saying.....
I can only get 15 amp?
My unit is in fact 30 amp...sorry for not specifying.

07psdcrew - basically correct.

Your 30amp RV will only be able to get 15amp (actually 13amps cont) from the generator as it can only pull from L1 or L2 of the generator and each leg/coil is only generating 15amps. You can NOT combine these legs/coils as a 30amp RV is 120V, NOT 240V like a 50amp RV.

A 50amp RV will get the full 15(L1) + 15(L2) = 30 amp (actually 26amps cont) output from the generator as a 50amp 240v RV uses both L1 and L2 as feeds. Note that this is 70 amps short of a full 50amp service feed (50ampL1 + 50ampL2).

07PSDCREW · 04-10-2012, 11:16 PM

Correction.... I just realized I would have fried everything if I did that combo!!! I would have to put the two hot legs on ONE terminal of the Rv plug and neutrals on the other and a ground on the other terminal.

07PSDCREW · 04-10-2012, 11:21 PM

Ugggh that would still be combining and having 240v on one prong I think... This is frustrating. With my current genset, I cannot get 30 amp service...period. Right?? If that's the case id sell it to buy a Rv capable quiet unit.

ottffss · 04-10-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07PSDCREW

Dave78chief..... Is what you are saying.....I could design my own adapter by wiring two whips of 10awg three prong plugs into a waterproof box and join the hot from each..1 "left" 1 "right" plug on genny to the hots of the 30 amp Rv plug (whip) and tie the neutrals to the ground prong of the 30 amp ?? Basically combining the two legs of the three prongs to get the 30 amp. They say they are 20 amp rated though.
Thanks for all the help everyone.

That be a negative. Dave was pretty clear that your generator ONLY runs L1/L2 (or coil1 coil2) 180 out of phase thus making 240v. He says there are generators that have a switch to make L1/L2 in phase thus making L1(coil1) + L2(coil2) amperages additive and still at 120v.

The two adapters he posted provide 15amps "per side" from your genset the 30amp having only 1 side (L1 or L2) and the 50amp adapter having 2 sides (L1 and L2). But your generator only produces 15amps from each coil which are configured to be 180 out of phase only.

ottffss · 04-10-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07PSDCREW

..With my current genset, I cannot get 30 amp service...period. Right??..

Given how dave described your current genset. Hence, with your current genset AND your current 30amp RV you can NOT get 30amps of 120VAC out of your current genset.

You'll need either a new (50amp) RV or a new genset capable of feeding 30amp 120VAC to a 30amp RV style plug.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave78Chief

Aftermarket generators like the Champion 46514 that have a 30 amp RV trailer plug built into them have a switch built in that switches the L1/L2 coils in parallel (L1/L2 in phase) for 120 operation that allows 120VAC 30 amp service. In the 240VAC position, it is split like yours (L1/L2 180 degrees out of phase). Your generator just does not provide for this capability.

Dave