Generator/shore power

[GWoods]

2010 Lexington with something I have never seen. No place on coach to plug in shore power cord. Just start generator, wait for short time and relay(?) connects generator to coach. My question is: is it safe to run the generator while connected to shore power? The generator needs work that will involve several start/stops and I would like to keep the coach plugged in.

When this unit was on the lot it was plugged into shore power. I wanted to check out the generator. I tried to plug the power cord into the coach like I have done with 2 class C, 1 Class A, 1 5th wheel and 1 tow behind. Plus two of my children's trailers. This coach has no place to plug in. The generator is started, wait for a minute and the generator automatically connects.

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by GWoods

2010 Lexington with something I have never seen. No place on coach to plug in shore power cord. Just start generator, wait for short time and relay(?) connects generator to coach. My question is: is it safe to run the generator while connected to shore power? The generator needs work that will involve several start/stops and I would like to keep the coach plugged in.

Your post is not clear. What does this mean? "No place on coach to plug in shore power cord"

Next you ask is it safe to run generator when shore power is connected. Either there is a shore power cord or there is not.

Assuming there is a shore power cord, it is usually safe to plug in and also run the generator at the same time. This is not certain as some owners modify their systems.

There should be an automatic transfer switch (ATS) that switches between generator and shore power. The ATS only allows one AC power source to connect at one time. The ATS may be generator priority or shore power priority, but only one will be connected.

That said, switching between shore and generator while under load causes contact wear inside the ATS. Some ATS's withstand this better than others. Frequently switching from one power source to another while under load is almost always going to lead to future ATS failure.

Some ATS's have a built in delay. It will disconnect one system and pause before engaging the other or it will pause before disconnecting the generator and connecting shore power. Switching under load is still likely to be an issue.

Get the manual for make and model of your ATS and read operating instructions. The manual may require turning shore power off before starting the generator. The reverse may also be true.

[Kenny Loney]

You have the Automatic Transfer Switch. They were not the most common option on earlier c-class MHs. Depending on how its wired priority, pedestal power (shore cord) or generator power (internal RV wiring) for priority.
Yes it is safe to use as it only picks one source and the other is disconnected, internally automatically. If the shore power cord is unplugged and running on generator power, the prongs connections on the shore power cord will be dead, safe to touch.

I've always considered mine to be a manual switch, pull plug from pedestal and plug into generator powered receptacle in MH.

Ken

[Redsand]

I agree. Mine has a receptacle in the shore power cord compartment which is powered only by the generator. I assume this design was used to eliminate the need for a transfer switch. Simple safe and bullet proof. Not sure exactly what the OP is asking

[THenne1713]

YES, Quite SAFE to RUN GEN while plugged in; and ATS design defaults to GEN Power when available.

[twinboat]

Your power cord and generator output go to an automatic transfer switch
That switch takes shore power and transfers it to the RV circuit breaker panel.

If you start the generator, the automatic transfer switch we'll wait 30 seconds or so for the generator to stabilize its power and then switch to generator power . It has priority over shore power and disconnects that.

Shut off the generator and it defaults back to shore power.

Since it's automatic, you don't need to do any unplugging or manual switching.