Generator Outlets (4 Pin / 30 Amp)

[airforceret]

I have a 4000 watt generator (3200 watt continuous) with a 4 pin 30 Amp 120/240 Volt outlet. On my previous camper it was a no brainer running a 4 pin 30 amp from the generator with a 30 amp pigtail for the camper power cord (as it was only 30 amp).

The new camper has 50 amp service (but only 1 AC so not quite the power issue it could be).

They make a 4 pin 30 amp generator pigtail that will accept my 50 amp power cord plug, or would it be better to just use my 50 to 30 amp adapter and continue to use the 4 pin 30 amp generator pigtail that accepts a 30 amp power cord?

Thanks,

Roger...

[dcg9381]

I'd think you'd want the L14-30 (generator side) to 14-50R (rv side) adapter. Here is one:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-55422-PowerGrip-Standard-Generator/dp/B005BNZFQ0/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1443535771&sr=1-2&keywords=L14-30++14-50R+adapter

What I found when running 5000-6000 watt standard generators was that often the L14-30 (240V @ 30A plug) was actually overload protected at somewhere around 15 amps. This makes sense if you're actually pulling from both sides and don't want to overload a 5000-6000 watt generator, but when you've got a 30A trailer, you're only pulling from one side. It effectively meant that you could only use about 3600 watts. Literally it'd blow that circuit breaker if I ran anything other than a single AC.


Moving to a smaller generator (3200 watt, but only 120v - the Champion) that was overload protected at 25A @ 120V actually meant meant that I could get more useful power out of it. Yours is 3200 watt at 240V. You need to figure out how many amps the circuit breaker is on your 240V connection - it may be better to actually pull from one of the 120V sockets, depending on how it's setup.


Sorry if this is confusing.

What I'm saying is that unless your trailer balances the load well, you may run into the same thing, that a 5000-6000 watt generator doesn't provide the same power as a 3000-4000 watt generator that is wired for more amps...

[airforceret]

I understand. That's the adapter I was looking at to replace my current adapter so that I could plug the 50 amp power cord directly into the generator adapter.

I'll have to look when I get home to see what breaker is installed on both the 120v and 240v outlets.

For the most part we're just looking to use it as a backup power source when we land in overnight overflow parking and maybe a short boondock here or there for a night or two! :)

Thanks,

Roger

[dcg9381]

Good deal. It really got me when our 5500 watt generator would trip out while running the fridge and AC off the 240V locking adapter. We had to "upgrade" to a 3200 watt 120V generator which has the 30A RV outlet - it's quieter, uses less fuel, and works better.

If you're not running AC - what you've got should work fine. If you are running AC, you may have to "unload" the electrical to keep that single AC unit runnning.