Road Runners
Tampa Bay, Florida
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Joined: 12/19/2001
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If you do not have a power transfer switch or your transfer switch is faulty you will damage electric motors if you get two power sources that are out of phase. I would not recommend you using your generator while your plugged in unless you know for sure that you have a power transfer switch and that is working properly.
'05' F-250 Power Stroke
'00' 30' Cameo Fifth Wheel
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juzplanekrazy
Huntington Beach Ca.
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Joined: 02/18/2006
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Road Runners is correct. "IF" you do in fact have a Transfer Switch, and it is working like it should. You can fire up that generator any time you want.
I actually have two transfer switchs. I installed a second one to protect my Inverter from back feed encase my wife or I forgot to turn it off and fired up the genny while out boondocking. The main transfer switch works between shore or the genny, and the secondary is for the inverter.
I would say to get a hold of a "Good" Jayco dealer that knows what he's talking about and ask them if your model does have a Transfer Switch. If so, Your Good to Go.
The only reason to have a transfer switch is for this very reason.
* This post was
edited 07/09/08 02:20pm by juzplanekrazy *
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jlvtx1800
Buffalo
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Joined: 07/19/2007
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juzplanekrazy,
I am doing one better than finding a good Jayco dealer...I called Jayco and a tech will call back between 24 and 48 hours with an answer. I will post what they say...thanks everyone for their input.
- 2008 Ram Laramie MC 4x4 SRW 3500 CTD 6.7L 6 speed manual
- 2008 Jayco Eagle 345 BHS
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captain037
Montgomery, AL
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Thats funny jlvtx1800....I just did the same thing.
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jlvtx1800
Buffalo
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I receive a call back (I win  ) from Jayco already! I explained the situation and he assured me that the transfer switch will take care of it. It will switch from shore power to generator power if it is available, and switch back when the generator turns off.
To everyone who asked about why I was getting so little power: They will not all be rigs. I am working a motorcycle festival as staff and the staff area has the kind of hook up mentioned above. Some of the other staff are living out of tents...all the way up to a full sized tractor just shoved in the corner. They have not had a problem with it in the past (this will be my first time there), but they do pop breakers now and again. I wanted to have as many options as possible because I am not sure if the info that I am receiving as far as power goes is being under of over rated.
Thanks again for all of the posts.
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djevans
Tennessee
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Joined: 03/24/2002
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captain037 wrote:With my Jayco I have been told not to run the generator and be hooked to shore power at the same time. The dealer told me this.
Ask for and check (or cause to have checked) the wiring diagram. I wouldn't rely on anyone at the dealer to give you accurate information. I have never seen "any" damage on or to any vehicle from a generator starting, transferring, (taking over the load) and transferring back with a properly wired transfer switch.
I used to install them for "mission critical" applications. We had UPS's temporarily "take the load on" during AC failures, the generators would then auto start, warm up, and then transfer the load to the generator. When power is restored, we would time the generator to hold on to the load for a few minutes to make sure the incoming AC power was once again stable, then transfer back. It's a very defined process. Many RV's today do just this. (ONAN auto start system - power fails, start generator and transfer - power restored, can transfer back to the pedestal after a preset delay)
The transfer relay is a set of contacts that simply touch one way or the other. It's designed so that, even if the contacts "seize" in one direction, the relay will not "make" (apply) both sources simultaneously hot.
I'm not going to get in to it here, but yes, there are generators that "can" be made to come on in sync with line current.
Do all RV's have ATS's? No...
Do those with ATS's favor the generator? There probably are some that don't, but, I haven't seen a single RV, wired from the factory, with an ATS that doesn't give the load to the generator if it's running.
Following a generator session, can a GFI trip? Yes... Is this an indication of damage or potential damage? Not likely... Could be a number of things including the wrong type GFI or an especially sensitive one.
By all means, "CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND ASK" if you have the slightest doubt. Ask about your specific vehicle. The dealer may or may not have the slightest clue.
If the manufacturer is out of business or won't send the electrical prints, have or cause to have a diagram made of the "as built." Because you might have to disassemble some parts of the RV, an electrician may or may not be the best person for this job, although any good master electrician could do this easily if he could access the parts and was "so motivated."
Don . . . near 36.171N 086.784W, TN near here
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captain037
Montgomery, AL
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Jayco just called me back and like jlvtx1800 I was told no problem with doing it. He said that there is no way it can get power from both even if the transfeer switch goes bad. Said it would just be stuck on one or the other... not both.
Djevans , you are right on the money.
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kennethwooster
Perryton Tx USA
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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My generator was dealer installed, but they installed the necessary switch we can start the generator, and this will switch off the shore power. Soon as the generator is off the shore power will switch back. This switch cost a little money but is well worth it.
kenneth wooster- farmer
wife Diana-adult probation officer
365BSQS Quad slide 2007 Quantum
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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I know you said a light or two but you have batteries that will do that. As for the refrigerator you could open the cover outside and plug an extension cord into the fridge plug so you don't have to worry about any issues.
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jason_rving
North Georgia
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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YC 1 wrote:I know you said a light or two but you have batteries that will do that. As for the refrigerator you could open the cover outside and plug an extension cord into the fridge plug so you don't have to worry about any issues.
I was going to say the same thing. Also you can do this with the electric water heater if the gauge of your ext. cord is at least 12.
Jason and family
2004 Cedar Creek 31LBHBS
2004 2500HD Silverado CC LT LLY Duramax/Allison 4x4
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