Generators

[lynlou14760]

Gtoguys post about batteries brought to mind something that I read the other day. The wayI understood the article you shouldn't hook a 50amp up to a 30amp generator. (Iknow you'd have to get an adapter.) I thought that it would be okay, but you wouldn't be able to run the air conditioner - which really isn't much a problem in W.N.Y.!!



Your thoughts, ladies and gentlemen?

[cowboy_71]

...I thought it would be ok, isn't that why they sell the 30 to 50 amp adapter...and vice versa,we have a 50 to 30 amp adapter...

[fhenn]

What no AC I can not believe that that is all most unamerican

[Cobra909]

Well, to my simple mind...no, you won't be able to run BOTH air conditioners, but I see no reason that you couldn't run one of them. Did the article possibly state that you shouldn't do it because some may forget and try to run both A/Cs at the same time?

[lynlou14760]

I'll find the article and post the link, or just repeat what it says. About the air conditioner...we left home this afternoon in 36 degree weather. We drove into near white out conditions on I 90 just east of I 79. Once we headed south on 79 we drove out of it.

However...we're setting south of Edenboro, Pa with and inch of snow on top of my slideouts Oh well, now we can say we drove it it all, almost.

[fhenn]

Edenboro brings back some good memories. I use to have a customer there, House of Edendoro had a nice small college in town was a neat town, use to have a great motel as you came in off the interstate. well that was 1989 20 years ago wow. be careful have a good trip, should I reserve a spot at our flying J for you????

[CamperNJ]

It depends what you are calling a 30 amp generator. Is it 30 amps at 115 VAC, or 30 amps at 230 VAC? My 6.5 KW gives me 30 amps at 230 VAC. Which is also 30 amps on each 115 VAC leg. If the AC units are on different legs, no problem running both.

Most people don't realize that a 50 amp service is 230 volts.

[lynlou14760]

Originally Posted by CamperNJ

Most people don't realize that a 50 amp service is 230 volts.

and, Imust admit that I am one of them!

[CamperNJ]

A 50 amp service on an RV is identical to a house. The only thing different is the house is capable of larger loads. (amps) There are 3 wires. One of them is called the neutral, and the other two are the hot legs. Measure from leg to leg, and you get a nominal 230 VAC. Measure from any one leg to neutral, and you get a nominal 115 VAC.



If your generator has 230 VAC output, wire the neutral to the neutral of the trailer, and each hot leg to the proper terminal on the 50 amp plug. And of course, do not forget to hook up the ground.



If the air conditioners are on separate legs and your generator is at least 3KW, you can probably run both. It will be close. If you have a 6KW, which I have, no problem.