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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 11:28:49 AM

Title: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 11:28:49 AM: I am not a very knowledgeable person when it comes to the topic of electricity and how it works. I am going to try a generator out with my RV. I do not want to fry anything. I am looking at the DuroMax XP4850EH. I found out about this particular on this site. It has a switch to select 120v or 120/240v. What side do I use with the RV. The RV is to only be use with 120v, right? So, if I purchase a pig tail/dogbone, to adapt the 30amp round to the 30amp RV, can I run the generator in the 120/240 position, or over on the 120v side. Also, If I run it in the 120/240v, is it possible the dogbone would be wired to only allow 120v so that it would not matter if I was one either setting on the generator? Hope this is written up right, as I may just not even know what the heck I'm trying to ask... :chuckle:
I am asking about the generator in the photo...
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: Timberstalker on January 03, 2017, 11:46:55 AM: Your dogbone adaptor SHOULD only send 120v to the trailer, by ignoring the other leg of current from the Generator (240V).
Just double check the verbiage on the packaging, when you get the Dogbone adaptor.

Read this link, it's not perfect but it gets the point across.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=33285.0

Run your generator on 120v, to be safe.
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: timberghost72 on January 03, 2017, 12:47:22 PM: Just plug your RV into the 120volt/20amp receptacle that is on the front next to the 30A plug in. A simple adapter for your rv cord is only a few bucks. I doubt you'll be needing more than 20 amps unless you're running a hair dryer with the microwave on watching TV with the furnace on high :chuckle:.

Adapter here https://www.amazon.com/NU-SET-Adapter-Plug-Male-Female/dp/B00FYDAOVI/ref=sr_1_13?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1483476323&sr=1-13&keywords=rv+adapter+plug
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 12:56:46 PM: Ok to run the A/C on the 20amp?
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: cbond3318 on January 03, 2017, 01:10:32 PM: Quote from: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 12:56:46 PM
Ok to run the A/C on the 20amp?

Yes, 1 AC unit on 20 amp is fine, you may want to calculate your amp draw to determine what other items can or cannot be run while the AC is running.
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 01:41:26 PM: Very good info....running the 30 amp plug on the 120v setting would allow for more appliances to be used at the same time?
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: cbond3318 on January 03, 2017, 01:56:20 PM: Quote from: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 01:41:26 PM
Very good info....running the 30 amp plug on the 120v setting would allow for more appliances to be used at the same time?

You will only have use of amperage available. If a 20 amp service, you have 20 amp, if a 30 amp service you have 30 amp available. For instance, my 5th wheel is currently plugged into a 30 amp service. My fridge draws about 5amps, I am running 2 1500 watt space heaters that draw about 11 amps. If I try an run the convection oven (13 amps), my amp draw exceeds the 30 available and the breaker trips...

Disclaimer ! I'm no expert either, this being my first RV and learning on the fly , and as usual, learning the hard way! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Educate Me On using this Generator with my RV
Post by: timberghost72 on January 03, 2017, 04:41:15 PM: Quote from: C-Money on January 03, 2017, 12:56:46 PM
Ok to run the A/C on the 20amp?

Yes.
Keep in mind there are some campgrounds that only have the 120v/20a plug in so you will need an adapter anyways if you do that kind of camping. Otherwise your RV will be fine running your electrical on the gen 20A circuit.