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02-09-2014, 09:45 AM
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#21
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,012
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Ok, it all makes sense now. I've only had rv generators and one Honda that had the 120/240 switch. Thanks for the education, an old dog learned a new trick today.
__________________
Clif and Millie
Ozzie (half a dog tall & 2 dogs long)
Mabank, TX
2009 Ford Lariat F350 SRW CC Diesel
2013 Cruiser CF305SK Patriot Edition
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02-09-2014, 10:48 AM
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#22
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
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I am glad I could help. I learned by making this mistake, then had to figure out what was wrong. If I can save 1 person from making the same mistake, it was worth it :-)
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Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
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02-09-2014, 09:14 PM
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#23
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ohio
Posts: 16
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generator
this is a true statement.. you have to buy a generator that has an rv switch built into it or 2 with a paralleling cable or a very high watt gen. you have to buy a rv to generator plug adaptor. this is Designed to connect a generator with a L14-30 locking receptacle to an RV 30A cord. what the switch does is apply all generator power through 1 leg of the L14-30 receptacle. several generators have this option. that is why you here about people buying 2 gens with a paralleling cable to get enough power. visit this page as an example of a gen with this option. http://www.ebay.com/itm/DuroMax-Elit...item5d4231ff85
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02-10-2014, 09:39 AM
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#24
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,012
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Very educational. I currently have the Yamaha EF4500 and it does fine. I never considered that some might not have all advertised power available at 120v.
__________________
Clif and Millie
Ozzie (half a dog tall & 2 dogs long)
Mabank, TX
2009 Ford Lariat F350 SRW CC Diesel
2013 Cruiser CF305SK Patriot Edition
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02-10-2014, 03:38 PM
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#25
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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Is there a plug adapter that takes the 4 prong 240 outlet to an RV 3 prong receptacle?
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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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02-10-2014, 03:42 PM
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#26
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
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yes, they make them. I have one
http://www.sears.com/search=conntek%...2030%20amp%204
This type of adapter just terminates 1 leg of power and uses the other for the rv30 plug. (hence you get half a generator) This is exactly what I'm talking about
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
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02-10-2014, 05:47 PM
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#27
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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This should get you a full 30 amps from your locking 4 pin plug.
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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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02-10-2014, 05:51 PM
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#28
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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I made one of these. This will cut it in half. It will take your 4 prong 240 to 2 120s at 15 amps each.
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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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02-10-2014, 06:27 PM
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#29
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
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Tim- neither one of those plugs will give you the full 30 amps. the first one just terminates 1 leg and the second uses both legs 1 for each plug. as I have stated before, the switch must be done at the generator, either with an actual switch or an RV30 socket built into the generator wired from both generator coils running in parallel.
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
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02-10-2014, 06:49 PM
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#30
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cw3jason
Tim- neither one of those plugs will give you the full 30 amps. the first one just terminates 1 leg and the second uses both legs 1 for each plug. as I have stated before, the switch must be done at the generator, either with an actual switch or an RV30 socket built into the generator wired from both generator coils running in parallel.
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The first one, in the description, says it will give a full 30 amps from plug.
I am not saying you are wrong. I have been planning on getting an adapter. If I can't get a full 30 amps, I don't really see the need.
Anyone have one of these that they can check with a voltmeter?
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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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02-10-2014, 07:07 PM
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#31
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
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I do have one. Not the exact same brand, but similar. I think I bought mine at home depot. I have taken a multi meter to it and only 1 leg rings thru. it does not combine the two.
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Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
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02-10-2014, 07:24 PM
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#32
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ohio
Posts: 16
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hi tim d the first plug will work (it is a L14-30 to rv plug adaptor) but ONLY if your generator is set up with a RV switch that parallels both legs giving you 30 amps. these generators use the L14-30 receptacle which is a 4 prong 220v receptacle and provides the full 30 amps to 1 of the hot legs when the switch is turned on..PLEASE look and read this ebay listing for a generator that does this http://www.ebay.com/itm/DuroMax-Elit...item5d4231ff85 . it is hard to visualize I find being able to see it helps you understand . also Wal-Mart has the rv to generator plug adaptor for about $16.there are other options... 2 gens with a parallel cable, a larger gen with a dedicated 30a twist lock receptacle probably 5000 or larger will have this. from JR IBEW683 electrical union
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02-10-2014, 07:32 PM
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#33
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ohio
Posts: 16
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02-10-2014, 07:36 PM
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#34
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ohio
Posts: 16
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hope this helps tim d. sorry walmart.com has the adaptor (just search rv gen adaptor $16)
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02-12-2014, 08:54 PM
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#35
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location:
Posts: 20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavisK
I use a Champion 3500/4000W generator (not inverter), which does fine to power A/C, microwave, etc. It puts out 30 amps @ 120V on a single circuit. It has a 30 amp RV outlet. It is also very fuel efficient. They are available from Amazon for under $300. They're also available at Tractor Supply, Advance Auto, Cabela's and BJs.
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I got the same one at BJ's on sale for $250. I don't dry camp but I figured if the day comes I'm traveling a distance I might need it one night. It's still in the box. My snowblower , lawnmower and home generator are all Honda's. I just couldn't justify buying 2 Honda 2000's knowing someday I may never use them.
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02-12-2014, 09:02 PM
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#36
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 1,715
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mb1953
I got the same one at BJ's on sale for $250. I don't dry camp but I figured if the day comes I'm traveling a distance I might need it one night. It's still in the box. My snowblower , lawnmower and home generator are all Honda's. I just couldn't justify buying 2 Honda 2000's knowing someday I may never use them.
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I also have a Honda 1000i and a 2000i. I like using one of them when we're watching TV or making coffee, anytime that I'm not going to run the A/C or microwave. They're also good for recharging the battery. They're so quiet and fuel efficient, especially the 1000i.
__________________
2013 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2023 Rockwood 2445WS
Buster, miniature Dachshund
2023: 9 trips, 48 nights in 12 states, 2 provinces, 8120 miles
2022: 3 trips, 18 nights in 4 states, 2352 miles
2019: 7 trips, 43 nights in 6 states, 5336 miles
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02-13-2014, 10:13 AM
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#37
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location:
Posts: 188
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I'm new to generators and not sure how they differ in supplying power to an RV versus any other device. I was off the mindset you plug it in and get up to the rated wattage/amps stated in the generator manual per length/gauge of cord used.
Is the big plug on the right of my generator the one you are saying allows it to provide full 30 amp to my TT without special plugs?
Thanks
RD66
__________________
'14 Sunset Trail 290QB
Towed by a '15 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi 4x4 CC
Equalizer 1200/12K (just because I still have it)
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02-13-2014, 03:21 PM
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#38
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 688
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadDog66
I'm new to generators and not sure how they differ in supplying power to an RV versus any other device. I was off the mindset you plug it in and get up to the rated wattage/amps stated in the generator manual per length/gauge of cord used.
Is the big plug on the right of my generator the one you are saying allows it to provide full 30 amp to my TT without special plugs?
Thanks
RD66
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The plug you reference is designed with 4 prongs. 1 ground, 1 neutral and 2 120v legs. to use this plug you will need an adapter as shown in previous post. Your RV if 30 amp service will only use 1 of the 2 120v legs. therefore you only get half the power and half the wattage the generator is putting out. please read my previous link to help explain this. If your RV has 50amp service you will need a different adapter, then half the generators power would go to one part of your electrical panel and the other leg would go to the other half of your panel. still not enough to fire up the AC as it still only operates on 1 of the two legs and can still only tap into half the generators total wattage, unless of course the generator is large enough to power the AC on half power, or the generator is made for RV's in which case it would be wired in such a way to provide full power at 120v. Again only specific generators can do this, most can not. Please read the link I posted
__________________
Jason & Wendy
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L PSD
2015 Keystone Montana 3711FL
B&W Patriot 16K Fifth Wheel Hitch
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02-13-2014, 05:48 PM
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#39
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: minnesota
Posts: 365
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"Clean" power
A big issue to also look at is if a genny can give you clean power all the time. I would run a saw, coffee maker, drill etc off any generator. But I would not run a tv,microwave,phone charger, computer etc on any genny that does not put out clean power such as done by the Hondas. I am sure others do also, but I wouldn't trust this with a cheap genny. Just my thoughts.
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2013S22BH/2015 f-150 ecoboost
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02-13-2014, 06:12 PM
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#40
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location:
Posts: 188
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Thanks for the explanation. Don't think my 3000/3750 watt genny will power the trailer A/C, fridge & lights at half power (1500/1875), but I can safely use it at the house for power outages.
I'm buying one of the 4-prong/two leg adaptor cords to split the 240 across the two legs for two 120/20A connections. Also getting a 3 receptacle extension to run off one leg for extra plugs. Sounds safer and less stress on the genny.
use for storm power outages .
__________________
'14 Sunset Trail 290QB
Towed by a '15 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi 4x4 CC
Equalizer 1200/12K (just because I still have it)
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