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09-16-2021, 01:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 107
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inverter generator floating neutral problem?
Back from a trip and I replaced my 30a power cable female plug because it showed signs of wear and heat. No problems, all green lights. I dragged out my backup Westinghouse 2200 inv/gen to just run some fuel through it and while it was running I plugged in my adapter, plugged in my surge protector and had an open ground light. What? I plugged in my power cable to the coach and then it showed reverse polarity. Again what is this? I have used this inv/gen quite a bit but never ran power through the surge protector. Have I damaged anything in my system? Do I need to use a grounding plug? Everything in the coach seems to be in working order.
Please advise!
terntes
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09-16-2021, 01:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,461
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Inverter generators don't always have neutral bonded to ground. An inexpensive grounding plug solves that:
https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Com.../dp/B07F4R7BDL
As far as reversed polarity, you should check your adapter. Maybe the protection box was tricked by the lack of a ground, maybe try a grounding plug to see if the polarity issue resolves itself.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
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09-16-2021, 01:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Posts: 5,038
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Portable inverter generators often do not come with ground-neutral bonding. You must add the bonding connection.
Wiring code requires the bond for safety reasons. Most of the time generator works fine. For certain malfunctions, bystanders can be injured without the bond. This condition is unlikely to harm a generator or a surge protector.
Connect neutral out to system ground at the generator output socket.
Reverse polarity means a neutral wire and a hot wire have been reversed. See surge protector instructions for better advice. There are other possibilities.
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Paul Bristol
Kodiak Cub 176RD
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
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09-16-2021, 07:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,793
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Just buy a plug from Menards and put a jumper wire in from ground to Neutral terminals. Leave the Hot terminal empty.Plug that plug into 1 of the gens outlet receptacles when you use it with your RV.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
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09-16-2021, 07:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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Quote:
Originally Posted by US1
Just buy a plug from Menards and put a jumper wire in from ground to Neutral terminals. Leave the Hot terminal empty.Plug that plug into 1 of the gens outlet receptacles when you use it with your RV.
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YEP
Jumper....
Install cover and label it
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09-17-2021, 01:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 107
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UPDATE Thanks!
I watched all the videos online, I think I am OK. I can make a grounding plug, no problem. I guess I did not know they were ever used and never heard of a grounding plug. I have the test light and sure enough -open neutral-. Thanks everyone.
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09-17-2021, 04:21 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: E WA or S TX
Posts: 4,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP
Inverter generators don't always have neutral bonded to ground. An inexpensive grounding plug solves that:
https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Com.../dp/B07F4R7BDL
As far as reversed polarity, you should check your adapter. Maybe the protection box was tricked by the lack of a ground, maybe try a grounding plug to see if the polarity issue resolves itself.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
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This is inexpensive, you can make 5 of them for ~1/2 price.
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