generator for fifth wheel

[Ramtough]

Running generator in the rain

Do any of you guys know anything about running a generator in the rain? Does it affect or damage the generator? I would be carrying the generator in the back of my pickup. Anyone have any long term experience with running a generator outside for an extended period of time? Thanks.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Just be sure that the generator frame is bonded with ground straps to the truck (if hooked up), and the trailer frame.



Most quality generators have ample protection from rain water. Diesel generators are the best in this regard, no high voltage stuff to get wet and cause failures in the spark department.



Open frame generators are a no-no in wet weather. Get water on the brushes and commutators and something is going to fry. Either you or the gen set.

 

[tgrfan2]

You should be able to get the specs on your AC from the manufacturer. I did on my 97 Dutchmen. They said it took 41 amps to start and 14+ to run! The Honda would start it, but it was a dead load. If it was really hot (90+) I would not let the AC cycle. Interestingly the 3000 would start it better on econ mode. My theory was I got a little spike as the generator went to WOT. My fiver with a Carrier AC starts and runs much easier and will run AC, TV&Sat, and microwave all at once but I don't like to do it. It will cycle that AC unit without any problem on Econo mode.

I was at our Cummins dealer this week getting oil & filters and they had several Onan units discounted, but they wanted $2600 for an Onan 4000 when I bought my Honda.

 

[HBarlow]

I've read all the recent posts about selection of fixed or portable motor-generator sets for travel trailers. I have a noisy portable Generac which was acceptable for powering the ac unit and microwave in my previous Avion conventional TT but not very practical for the fifth wheel I recently purchased. I tried running the Generac in the pickup bed but heat buildup under the front overhang of the trailer forced me to shut it down. I'm considering either having a steel fabricator build a mount to hang the Generac in open air on the rear of the fifth wheel or purchasing another quiet generator or pair of generators that could be run in a confined space without the heat build up problem. The 4500 watt Generac is capable of starting the 15k ac unit in my fifth wheel when the temperature is in the upper 90s but I'm pretty sure a single 2000 watt or even a single 3000 watt Honda or Yamaha would not be.



I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade here but I'm wondering . . . is it actually as simple to run two Honda or Yamaha generators in parallel as some make it sound? All 110 volt ac generators produce 110 volt power alternating at 60 cycles per second meaning the voltage alternates from 110 volts in one polarity through zero to 110 volts in the opposite polarity 60 times per second. If two generators are connected in parallel what will synchronize the two so that their output voltage is in phase? If the two generators are operating out of phase, which they almost certainly will be, won't one or both be damaged?



Do we have a TDR electrical engineer or journeyman electrician who can either correct my misunderstanding or explain how this can be done without a problem?



Harvey

 

[John - K5AWO]

Parallel gen sets

. . . is it actually as simple to run two Honda or Yamaha generators in parallel as some make it sound? All 110 volt ac generators produce 110 volt power alternating at 60 cycles per second meaning the voltage alternates from 110 volts in one polarity through zero to 110 volts in the opposite polarity 60 times per second. If two generators are connected in parallel what will synchronize the two so that their output voltage is in phase? If the two generators are operating out of phase, which they almost certainly will be, won't one or both be damaged?

The Honda EU2000I and some other models are not actually running the output directly from the armature/stator windings. The power generated is delivered to an inverter that creates the actual output voltage which can be stabilized for frequency without concern for generator speed.



So the answer is a qualified "yes".



The inverter(s) can be synchronized to a companion gen set of the same make/model.



If you try to parallel two gen sets that are not specifically designed for parallel operation, there will sparks, smoke and a fire very quickly because they will not stay synchronized with each other.

 

[bombero]

Honda makes a "adapter" that you plug two 2000 into to get 4000w. Its a pricy little thing at about $300. It must be the Honda approved way of doing it.

 

[Lodi]

I use a Gererac 4000XL, and I can see the eyebrows raising now. I must admit the Honda is much quieter, but for the price diff I'll put up with a little noise. I have been using it for 8 yrs with no problems. There are several other members in my camping club that also use the Generac, only one person had a problem. If you have the money, get a Honda or the Onan, if your on a budget get a Generac.

 

[HBarlow]

Lodi:



I have the same Generac and, although I'd love to have a permanently installed Onan, hanging the Generac on the back of my 5er sure is a lot cheaper. As you said, it is noisy but I rarely visit state or national parks. Flying Js where I camp don't mind the noise of a Briggs and Stratton.



Harvey

 

[LHallmark]

Ok Guys..... Think about it... ... . How much generator do you need for your trailer?

(1)Check the main circuit breaker in the trailer for rating... ie 30 amp... or 50 amp..... Then use the formula Power(watts)= Current(amps) times Volts... On my 5th wheel thats 30amps X 120 volts= 3600 watts. Thats the absolute maximun that the trailer can draw. Any generator thats produces more than that will run everything in the trailer..... at least until the main breaker in the trailer trips.

(2) The newer generators with the inverter technology (especially Honda)... twin gen sets can be paralled without damaging the gen sets. The interconnect cable from Honda is expensive. Build your own for less than $50.

A search of this site will reveal a thread that has the details.

 

[HBarlow]

An electrician friend who is not a TDR member sent me an e-mail explaining what I didn't understand. According to him, Honda portable generator units actually produce direct current (DC) output voltage not alternating current (AC). That is why their output stage is an invertor. The invertor converts DC to AC at 120 volts. That also explains why they can be operated in parallel.



Harvey

 

[RMcCulloch]

Ok Guys..... Think about it... ... . How much generator do you need for your trailer?

(1)Check the main circuit breaker in the trailer for rating... ie 30 amp... or 50 amp..... Then use the formula Power(watts)= Current(amps) times Volts... On my 5th wheel thats 30amps X 120 volts= 3600 watts. Thats the absolute maximun that the trailer can draw. Any generator thats produces more than that will run everything in the trailer..... at least until the main breaker in the trailer trips.

In case you've forgotten, 30A is 120V while 50A is 240V (2 120V legs @ 50A each).



That would make 30A service 3,600 Watts and 50A service 12,000 Watts at maximum draw.



Care to guess why I have a 7KW Onan installed in the front of my trailer?

 

[tgrfan2]

mberry, I checked three years ago and found three good reasons. Expensive, louder, and odor. You could add heavier than most gassers for a fourth.