We are somewhat new to RV'ing, and in the past I always turned the power off at the breaker, unplugged, waited 3-5 min, and then started the generator. Is this necessary, or can I start the generator first and then unplug? Is there a "correct" way to do this? Thanks in advance for your help.
Bill Adams said
04:18 PM Jul 21, 2011
If going in that direction I always start the generator, wait for the transfer to take place and then unplug. However, going the other was (from generator to shore) I always shut down A/C (nothing else) and let the genset cool for a minute or 2 (I already have the shore power plugged in and turned on as the transfer switch prioritizes to the generator) and then power down the genset. Shore power will kick in and I turn whatever I need back on again. I never turn off a breaker before any kind of power swap (be that good or bad).
jkrobbins said
09:04 PM Jul 21, 2011
If you have a automatic transfer switch, like Bill mentioned above then it doesn't really matter. If it is a manual transfer switch it still doesn't really matter. If you do not have a transfer switch then you never want your RV connected to shore power while the generator is running.
John
chattercamper said
04:21 AM Jul 22, 2011
So the transfer switch will always give priority to the generator? Thanks for the replies.
Bill Adams said
05:22 AM Jul 22, 2011
So the transfer switch will always give priority to the generator? Yes, with an automatic transfer switch, if the generator is running it will be powering the coach.
Jack Mayer said
09:44 AM Jul 22, 2011
The transfer switch can be wired either way - and I have seen them "shore power prefered". But typically it is as Bill said - generator preferred.
We are somewhat new to RV'ing, and in the past I always turned the power off at the breaker, unplugged, waited 3-5 min, and then started the generator. Is this necessary, or can I start the generator first and then unplug? Is there a "correct" way to do this? Thanks in advance for your help.
John
Yes, with an automatic transfer switch, if the generator is running it will be powering the coach.