 |
|
07-02-2023, 09:08 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Jayco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: undecided!
Posts: 93
|
110 unplugged before/during generator use?
This may be another stupid question from me; but....
Im running the generator to power AC for an hour or so in the evening as Im plugged into 110 while mooch docking at daughters
Do I have to unplug the 110 before/during the time the generator is running?
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
07-02-2023, 09:12 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,836
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by marycontrary
This may be another stupid question from me; but....
Im running the generator to power AC for an hour or so in the evening as Im plugged into 110 while mooch docking at daughters
Do I have to unplug the 110 before/during the time the generator is running?
|
Assume you have an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).
If so, it SHOULD be OK to start the generator while on shore power, as the ATS's job is to only allow one source of 120 VAC at a time.
But, the world is not always perfect, so "best practices" is to unplug before starting the generator.
More on "best practices": Turn off all high amp loads before disconnecting from shore power. Start the generator and let it warm up for a few minutes. Turn on loads in your RV. Turn loads off before shutting down the generator to allow it to cool down. Turn it off and replug into shore power.
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
|
|
|
07-02-2023, 10:40 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Nacogdoches, TX
Posts: 1,835
|
Thanks Brett. Those are clear instructions and good advice.
__________________
Wade & Debby Griffin
2024 Brinkley Z3100 5th Wheel, 20K Goosebox hitch
2023 RAM 3500 Diesel Dually
2018 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 04:51 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,081
|
What your doing is fine.
The Automatic part of the transfer switch is do you don't have to run outside and pull plugs.
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 06:46 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,995
|
This is interesting. I have never owned an ATS. Curious about if and how well do ATS's handle paralleling of electricity sources before shedding/transferring power. Or do high draw items such as AC units suffer a "bump" if they are online at the time of transfer?
__________________
TandW
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 06:54 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11,009
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TandW
This is interesting. I have never owned an ATS. Curious about if and how well do ATS's handle paralleling of electricity sources before shedding/transferring power. Or do high draw items such as AC units suffer a "bump" if they are online at the time of transfer?
|
Air conditioner systems have a safe guard built in as if they loose power or temp is met on thermostat, the compressor will not start again till the pressure is equalized between the high/low side to prevent compressor damage.
Heating element's and other items will start as soon as the power is transferred........
When on shore power and you start the generator(priority power) the transfer switch senses the generator power and drops the shore power contactor and the generator contactor pulls in supplying power.
__________________
2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 06:56 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,081
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TandW
This is interesting. I have never owned an ATS. Curious about if and how well do ATS's handle paralleling of electricity sources before shedding/transferring power. Or do high draw items such as AC units suffer a "bump" if they are online at the time of transfer?
|
Look up any brand of ATS for their operation.
There will be a bump, no paralleling of power.
Best practice is to shut down Air conditioning for 5 minutes.
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 07:39 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,995
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
Look up any brand of ATS for their operation.
There will be a bump, no paralleling of power.
Best practice is to shut down Air conditioning for 5 minutes.
|
Thanks. I thought so!
__________________
TandW
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 08:03 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Hudson, WI
Posts: 132
|
What about shore power vs alternator?
Somewhat similar question I’ve always wondered. My slide operation requires engine running. When I start the engine it takes a minute or two before I hear the relay click and see the voltage increase to 14 plus. I always wait to see that before moving my Schwintek slides as I want the most power available. When connected to shore my volts are in the mid 13s. I always unplug before starting the engine. But if I were connected to shore, would starting the engine still allow the alternator to trip the relay and provide the additional voltage to the batteries for slide use? I always thought it would not trip because it sees the batteries do not need to be charged.
__________________
2021 Thor Challenger 37FH
Hudson, WI
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 08:48 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,996
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
Look up any brand of ATS for their operation.
There will be a bump, no paralleling of power.
Best practice is to shut down Air conditioning for 5 minutes.
|
I would shut down most everything, especially high draw items like a/c and water heater. Some electronics might not like the bump either. The transfer switch may be designed to handle a high amp load transfer but I figure it still helps to save arcing and pitting of the ATS contact(s).
__________________
03 Itasca Sunova, Workhorse P32 with the 8.1 and 4L85-E
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 08:58 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,996
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pesky1
Somewhat similar question I’ve always wondered. My slide operation requires engine running. When I start the engine it takes a minute or two before I hear the relay click and see the voltage increase to 14 plus. I always wait to see that before moving my Schwintek slides as I want the most power available. When connected to shore my volts are in the mid 13s. I always unplug before starting the engine. But if I were connected to shore, would starting the engine still allow the alternator to trip the relay and provide the additional voltage to the batteries for slide use? I always thought it would not trip because it sees the batteries do not need to be charged.
|
That click you hear is a solenoid/relay connecting the engine's alternator to your coach batteries to send charge voltage to them. I'm surprised it takes so long to energize but that may be how newer systems are supposed to work. Has nothing to do with the automatic transfer switch. As far as your question, my guess is you'll get the click and higher voltage whether plugged into shore or not.
__________________
03 Itasca Sunova, Workhorse P32 with the 8.1 and 4L85-E
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 09:07 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Florida panhandle
Posts: 1,305
|
hot switching “may” be bad for the relay contacts in the ATS or the power protection circuit if you have one. I would turn high amp usage devices (like AC, electric heat, electric hot water) off before attempting to hot switch.
or, just follow Brett’s advice to be safe
https://www.pickeringtest.com/en-us/...itching-relays
__________________
2018 Adventurer 19RD 19’ 11”
Ford E350 V10 Cutaway Chassis Class C
#10050 GVWR, #18500 GCWR Smoke that!
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 10:19 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,081
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mudfrog
I would shut down most everything, especially high draw items like a/c and water heater. Some electronics might not like the bump either. The transfer switch may be designed to handle a high amp load transfer but I figure it still helps to save arcing and pitting of the ATS contact(s).
|
Many say that, but the relay that actually turns on the compressor is tiny compared to any ATS. It switches that compressor on and off for years.
|
|
|
07-03-2023, 11:35 PM
|
#14
|
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,296
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfe10
Assume you have an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch).
If so, it SHOULD be OK to start the generator while on shore power, as the ATS's job is to only allow one source of 120 VAC at a time.
But, the world is not always perfect, so "best practices" is to unplug before starting the generator.
More on "best practices": Turn off all high amp loads before disconnecting from shore power. Start the generator and let it warm up for a few minutes. Turn on loads in your RV. Turn loads off before shutting down the generator to allow it to cool down. Turn it off and replug into shore power.
|
Brett has given the best answer......Everyone can read how an ATS is SUPPOSED to work, but an older one, possibly on its last leg can glitch and not switch properly. Why take the chance? It's not something you do so often that it's inconvenient to just disconnect shore power and play it safe.
.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
|
|
|
 |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|