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Going from shore power to generator. Oops?
The other day I took my bus out for an hours drive to exercise it and the sum of it parts. After about 15 minutes I remembered I didn’t start the generator and reached over and started it. I then reached up to turn on the air conditioner to put the generator under a load and the air didn’t come on. I then realized I still had the bus set to shore power, not generator power, so obviously the air wasn’t coming on.
My question is, did this mistake cause any harm? I didn’t notice anything, but is there some thing or things I should check? Do you guys have any tips that helps you remember something like this? My power switch is in a cabinet under the dinette so it’s not exactly in an obvious place.
Thanks guys,
Harry
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5 Replies
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The only thing I would add is to make sure the a/c and any other item that draws a lot of power is off before you transfer the power from shore to gen. Its just hard on the transfer switch when you have a load on the lines and change incoming power. The contacts inside will have a shorter life along with everything else in that box.
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That vintage does not have a transfer switch?
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Harry. No harm done. Twist your transfer switch, then remember to go your light switch panel (entry, or kitchen, or bedroom) and flip switch labeled A/C, to “ON”, then turn knob on cruise air panel and presto should be on the way to cooling and giving your generator something to do
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Hi Patrick, RE: “The only thing I would add is to make sure the a/c and any other item that draws a lot of power is off before you transfer the power from shore to gen.”
One of the first things I was told When I bought the coach was “turn off the power eaters before switching the transfer switch. It will spark if you don’t!
Hi Tom, RE: “That vintage does not have a transfer switch?”
Mine actually does have a transfer switch in a cabinet under the dinette seat.
Hi Jim, RE: “No harm done. Twist your transfer switch, then remember to go your light switch panel (entry, or kitchen, or bedroom) and flip switch labeled A/C, to “ON”, then turn knob on cruise air panel and presto should be on the way to cooling and giving your generator something to do.”
Yes indeed, I was always told to not just run the generator, it must be under a load!
Thank you one and all, I’m happy to know everything remains in one piece.
Harry
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OK, so it’s a manual transfer switch, no automatic like we mostly have.
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