Generator and 50 Amp setup

[mikell]

I looked but didn't find an answer. I built a cord for the generator that uses both sides of the 240 to power my 50 amp circut. Today i found a generator adapter but it only uses 1 leg of the circut to power the 50 amp. I'll be getting less power as I see it. I believe the 240 35 amps on each leg wopuld be better than 70 on one from the generator and the cord?? I'm CONFUSED!!

[SAABDOCTOR]

ok stop! your camperruns on 120 volts not 240. if you look at your electrical pannel. you will see two main breakers one 20 amp one 30 amp one is for the a/c the other is for the rest of the camper. so 3000 watt generator will be able to run your unit with a/c just not a/c and a clothes dryer. you would need a adaptor to go from your 50amp cord to a 30 plug to go into the generator.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by SAABDOCTOR

ok stop! your camperruns on 120 volts not 240. if you look at your electrical pannel. you will see two main breakers one 20 amp one 30 amp one is for the a/c the other is for the rest of the camper. so 3000 watt generator will be able to run your unit with a/c just not a/c and a clothes dryer. you would need a adaptor to go from your 50amp cord to a 30 plug to go into the generator.

OK stop!

The 50 amp rv outlet is by NEMA definition 50 amp 125/250.. So yes... it "runs" on 240.... Most RVs dont have any 240V appliances... But an RV 50 amp pedestal could support it.

I have no clue what you're describing in your "one 20 amp and one 30 amp".... This is totally non standard to me.

Every 50 amp RV I've ever seen has a 50 amp double pole breaker in the main distribution panel.

Some 50 amp RV distribution panels (like the WFCO in my Avalanche) has the 50 amp main in the center. Each leg feeding 1/2 the panel to the left, or 1/2 the panel to the right. In this configuration it is using a 125/250 supply, but not configured to supply 240V to any RV appliance because of WFCO's config.

Some 50 amp RV distribution panels (like the Iota in my last RV) has a 50 amp main at the end (top if you turn it sideways) like a traditional home. Every other breaker down the entire line is powered by the alternate leg of the 50 amp 125/250 supply... This one would indeed support a 240V appliance.

SAAB guy, I would be interested to see a pic of the configuration you describe.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by mikell

I looked but didn't find an answer. I built a cord for the generator that uses both sides of the 240 to power my 50 amp circut. Today i found a generator adapter but it only uses 1 leg of the circut to power the 50 amp. I'll be getting less power as I see it. I believe the 240 35 amps on each leg wopuld be better than 70 on one from the generator and the cord?? I'm CONFUSED!!

If you have a choice on wiring your adaptor, then 35 from leg A and 35 from leg B is more desirable than one leg of your generator providing 70 amps (provided your generator can do that much) merged to suppor both legs on your RV panel.

70 amps on one leg would be quite the large generator...

Think of it this way... the typical Onan 5500 that many RVs have isn't 5500 watts of power @ 110V across one leg....

It's 2250 watts @ 110 on one leg and 1150 watts @ 110 on the other leg.

A 23 amp breaker for 1 leg and a 23 amp breaker for the other leg.

For the way most generators are marketed, to draw 70 amps on 1 leg, you'd likely be looking at a 17,500 watt generator... 140 amp generator - 70 per side.

[SAD]

Or to ask a different question on the 70 amp per leg thing... Did you find a generator that is 8750 watts? And it only supports outlets for 110V?

[mikell]

This is the generator

http://www.generatorfactoryoutlet.co...500SR.asp?rt=2

The adapter with schematic
http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RVMT3050.html

The adapter seems to draw from 1 leg??

[SAD]

Originally Posted by mikell

This is the generator

http://www.generatorfactoryoutlet.co...500SR.asp?rt=2

The adapter with schematic
http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RVMT3050.html

The adapter seems to draw from 1 leg??

Ok.. I looked at your generator.

Based upon a quick scan, it looks like you get to choose between 125/250 ~or~ 125.

If you choose 125/250V, you'd plug your RV into that twistlock on the right and have 20 amps per leg. See how that twist lock (on the gen) is 4 prong?

If you choose 125V you'd use the outlets on the right... the 30 amp twist lock on the right (3 prong)....

Unsure if you could use the 20 amp household AND the 30 amp 125V twist lock at the same time. Even if you could, your RV is not wired that way - assuming your objective is to be able to run two A/C at the same time when under generator power??

Oh and I see exactly what you're talking about when reviewing the link to the dog bone adaptor you provided. Thats screwy. I'm questioning if the drawing is correct for the product.

[Johnnyfry]

6.3 kW at 120V is 52 amps and it does not say if the unit is 120/240 configuration.
Judging from the socket configuration I would assume(ok,ok I know assumptions are bad!) that the 30 amp plug is wired for 120/240 and you would have to make a custom adapter to feed 25/25 amps from this socket alone to the standard 50/50 amp 120/240 volt standard trailer feed. This should give you 25 amps on each side of the panel.
By the way, did you note that this beast weighs 429 lbs! Other than that it sounds like a great unit.

John

[mikell]

Wasn't concerned about the weight it will be mounted in a custom notch in on the back of the truck with a small crane to remove if needed. I just wanted a diesel so it can use the trucks supply. With over 100 gallons on board I should be able to run for a while. We had a few big rigs in our place when the PGA tournament was here and they had diesels that you could barely hear

[SAABDOCTOR]

hi SAD i tried a pm that did not work. but in my thoughts my 2010 3750 has a 50 amp plug. the breakers mainone is 30 the other is 20 amps. i am startingto think maybe it was set up for 30 amps not 50. i do have the washer dryer prep but never will install one. i have never looked at anyone eales camper. so now i am asking what do you think? i do have 2 a/c units but so far have not had a problem. would be very interested in your input and also from steve and jahth. i based my thought on the way mine was set up.. but if that fellow wants 70 amps i got a 21kw diesel generator. just will need another truck to carry it hahaha.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by SAABDOCTOR

hi SAD i tried a pm that did not work. but in my thoughts my 2010 3750 has a 50 amp plug. the breakers mainone is 30 the other is 20 amps. i am startingto think maybe it was set up for 30 amps not 50. i do have the washer dryer prep but never will install one. i have never looked at anyone eales camper. so now i am asking what do you think? i do have 2 a/c units but so far have not had a problem. would be very interested in your input and also from steve and jahth. i based my thought on the way mine was set up.. but if that fellow wants 70 amps i got a 21kw diesel generator. just will need another truck to carry it hahaha.

~Sounds~ like yours was 30 amp and someone added another 20 amp circuit?? To accommodate a second a/c that wouldn't ordinarily have been available on a single 30?? Just a guess. Certainly seems non-standard.

My panel is a WFCO and looks exactly like Roberson4's...



as they posted in this thread -> http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7237

In the case of this type of panel, the two hots from the 125/250 50 amp come in to the center of the panel and feed the double 50 amp main.

Leg A powers all items to the left, and Leg B powers all items on the right. Based upon this configuration of panel, no 240V appliances are possible... But a full 100 amps of 110V is available (50x2).

BTW, I'm not a fan of PMs... If it's relevant to the discussion, I'd just assume it be posted in the thread! Keep everyone in the loop.

[mikell]

So do we all think the pigtail is wrong? the one I made is not like the diagram.

The generator should give about 20 amps on each leg. I haven't settled on a generator yet I still need one a new one building my railroad trestle and general emergencies. I wanted diesel because they seem to have the SILENT type that is much quieter. Need enough amps welder and who knows how many tools to build the trestle

[SAABDOCTOR]

SAD the trailer came that way no breakers were added when they put the second a/c on will give keystone a call and see what gives will let you know what happens. it's out of warranty so it will be on me oh well