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Old 06-14-2018, 11:01 PM   #1
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Leave gen plugged in?

is it ok to leave generator plugged in while driving?
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Old 06-14-2018, 11:09 PM   #2
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Need more info, what's your unit? Generator on board, in back of truck or?? Under what circumstances would you want/ need to be plugged in?
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Old 06-15-2018, 05:37 AM   #3
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It’s ok to leave it plugged in, running and even running the ac while driving.
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Old 06-15-2018, 05:37 AM   #4
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Our generator has an outlet in the bay for the power cord. You plug the cord into that when you want power from the generator and plug it into the CG power post when on external power. We always leave it plugged into the generator outlet when not at a campsite whether we are running the generator or not.

It is a very simple setup with little to go wrong. We do turn off the roof air conditioner before starting the generator so that it can start and come up to speed before it has a big load placed on it.
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Old 06-15-2018, 07:03 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teamfoxy View Post
Our generator has an outlet in the bay for the power cord. You plug the cord into that when you want power from the generator and plug it into the CG power post when on external power. We always leave it plugged into the generator outlet when not at a campsite whether we are running the generator or not.

It is a very simple setup with little to go wrong. We do turn off the roof air conditioner before starting the generator so that it can start and come up to speed before it has a big load placed on it.
We have the same system. Absolutely simple and reliable. I don't know what the attraction is for Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), seems like all I read about is failures and fires. I'll take my manual cord system anytime.
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Old 06-15-2018, 10:26 AM   #6
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As others have said, yes, it's perfectly fine to leave it plugged in.
I had an Itasca with the same set up and always plugged it in when traveling. In fact, the genset would not start unless it detected a load at the receptacle--meaning the plug had to be inserted. Most, if not all, ATS prioritize the generator connection and switch only when shore power is detected which means units with an ATS are "plugged in" to the generator while driving, just like you.
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Old 06-16-2018, 09:28 AM   #7
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As others have said, it's fine to leave it plugged in and most folks run the genny while traveling in order to run the A/C's.
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Old 06-16-2018, 09:35 AM   #8
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Kind of a hassle to go out in the rain to connect the plug if you forget to do it. And yes I did it way back in '97 when we bought our new Type C MH. Since then we've had nothing but automatic transfer switches and have never had one go out or start a fire.
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Old 06-25-2018, 07:22 AM   #9
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I don't know what GC power post means. My power plug "bay" is also where the plug outlet is. I started having trouble with my refrigerator after leaving it plugged in while traveling and am wondering just what leaving it plugged in actually does while traveling...is it charging? or not? Thanks.
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Old 06-25-2018, 07:50 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by mrsbonzell View Post
I don't know what GC power post means. My power plug "bay" is also where the plug outlet is. I started having trouble with my refrigerator after leaving it plugged in while traveling and am wondering just what leaving it plugged in actually does while traveling...is it charging? or not? Thanks.
I am not sure what you have but if generator is running and plugged in it should be charging batteries in most cases. Should also be running the refrigerator on electric if gen set is running. Perhaps some pics or more information would be helpful. CG power post is the pedestal you plug into at campgrounds if hook ups are supplied.
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Old 06-25-2018, 08:46 AM   #11
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Kind of a hassle to go out in the rain to connect the plug if you forget to do it. And yes I did it way back in '97 when we bought our new Type C MH. Since then we've had nothing but automatic transfer switches and have never had one go out or start a fire.
I recall you needed to prop your ATS closed with a stick, on your MH.
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Old 06-25-2018, 08:51 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by mrsbonzell View Post
I don't know what GC power post means. My power plug "bay" is also where the plug outlet is. I started having trouble with my refrigerator after leaving it plugged in while traveling and am wondering just what leaving it plugged in actually does while traveling...is it charging? or not? Thanks.
With the cord plugged in, going down the road, if the generator is NOT running, it isn't doing anything. If running, it will charge your batteries and run the fridge.

Your chassis system will also charge your house batteries, while going down the road, even with the generator off.
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Old 06-25-2018, 01:30 PM   #13
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We have the same system. Absolutely simple and reliable. I don't know what the attraction is for Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), seems like all I read about is failures and fires. I'll take my manual cord system anytime.
Lots of reasons. What if you are away from camp and have to leave a pet in your RV? And power goes off. No good option if you are using a manual system, otherwise the ATS will swap you from shore to generator after starting the generator and your pet(s) won't know anything happened other than hearing a slight rumble from the genset. Or it is in the middle of the night, a storm blows up and knocks power out. You can either sit up and say "Hmm.. must have lost shore power, heard the genset crank up" or else get up, go out into the storm and do it manually. They are reliable, know several that use them in their home for emergency power when they live in the boondocks where power drops regularly.
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Old 06-25-2018, 02:21 PM   #14
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That’s what I wanted to know. Somehow I transposed the CG to GC and figured b4 asking it meant campground hookup. Thanks for responding.
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