Docking at Home

[frankos72]

Looking to dock my new 5er at home to do some overnight testing. Can I use this generator to do the Job?

If so, what kind of adapters might I need?

 

According to this site, it has a 240/20amp connection and 4 120-20 amp connections. It's cold so we won't be running the AC, just fridge, radio, tv, heater, and fireplace.... mabye the water pump to see how it works.

 

While I'm pretty sure I can find the proper adapter to get it hooked up, what about the power... it's not an inverter generator so is it even safe to hook to the Trailer?

[frankos72]

Reading... and more reading... I found this thread.

 

Looks like I can dock at home (with no AC) with a quality extension cord and a 15A Male to 50A Female Dogbone adapter.

 

Is this correct? Sound too good to be true.

[wildmandmc]

well i tried something like that. hooked up to rv., just for refrig. extension cord got pretty hot. I'm pretty sure not a good thing to be doing.

[HamRad]

We keep our 5er at our house. We keep it plugged into a 50 amp connection all the time. Your rig should have at least one battery often referred to as the "house battery". Our rig has two. When fully charged they will supply all your electrical needs for at least one night. Primarily lights and heat via the furnace. You will, of course, need to manage your usage closely.

 

We also have a small generator/inverter (Honda 2000) that we use to charge batteries and run the rig during the day as needed. You should be able to use the generator pictured. Don't use the 240 stuff --- That would be a good way to fry your electrical system and just about everything.

 

By the way before we installed the 50 amp circuit we ran our rig using a 10 gauge extension cord plugged into a 20 amp house circuit. It worked great. Good luck and enjoy your new rig. Dennis

[Al F]

Reading... and more reading... I found this thread.

 

Looks like I can dock at home (with no AC) with a quality extension cord and a 15A Male to 50A Female Dogbone adapter.

 

Is this correct? Sound too good to be true.

Yes, BUT! Just be sure you don't exceed 15-20 amps while you are plugged into the 20amp outlet in the generator.

 

You mentioned a heater and a fireplace. As long as the "heater" you are referring to is the propane furnace in the trailer you can run the fireplace. I am assuming the fireplace is the electric one which puts out about 1500 BTU's of heat and when operating it pulls about 1200-1500 watts of power.

 

What you can't do is operate a little 1500watt electric heater you plug into the wall and the fireplace at the same time.

 

Also don't plug into the 240 volt plug. Your trailer ONLY uses 120V power.

[remoandiris]

Reading... and more reading... I found this thread.

 

Looks like I can dock at home (with no AC) with a quality extension cord and a 15A Male to 50A Female Dogbone adapter.

 

Is this correct? Sound too good to be true.

 

Is your coach a 50 Amp unit? If so, you will also want a 50A female to 30A male. That is for the rare times you're staying at a 30A park. There are times that 30A sites are all that is available.

 

When preparing for a trip, my coach is parked in front of the house for a day or 2. I have a 100' extension cord plugged in for the fridge and sometimes 1 air con going, too. I have a residential fridge.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

Don't forget things like the converter which is on when the RV is plugged in.

[frankos72]

 

 

Yes, BUT! Just be sure you don't exceed 15-20 amps while you are plugged into the 20amp outlet in the generator.

 

good deal. I have a heavy duty extension cord that I keep at 12 guage maybe. Then I have a ridicolous one at my shop that has got to be 10 or bigger.

 

 

You mentioned a heater and a fireplace. As long as the "heater" you are referring to is the propane furnace in the trailer you can run the fireplace. I am assuming the fireplace is the electric one which puts out about 1500 BTU's of heat and when operating it pulls about 1200-1500 watts of power.

 

What you can't do is operate a little 1500watt electric heater you plug into the wall and the fireplace at the same time.

 

 

Yes, the heater is a LP Furnace, the fireplace does have a built in space heater. I'll find out what it draws. I will monitor my loads closely. No need for a gen if I'm just hooking to 120 20amp. House is plenty close for that.

 

Thanks Yall!

[Kirk W]

I notice that your generator set is one of the lower priced,contractor type of gen-set and as such it won't have the best controls. Things like power saws and the like are not too particular about "noise" on the power line but many electronic devices are so if you should use it for the RV, just be aware that you may discover some new problems with anything which uses solid state control circuitry.

 

I'd suggest that you use the power from the house and the propane furnace, minimizing any use of electric heaters. If you have one that has multiple heat settings, as in low/high or low/medium/high, then the low setting will be a small enough current draw to use an extension cord, if that cord is heavy duty and has large wire size in it. When you use any extension cord, it is important to check the cord and the outlet both to make sure that they do not over heat and so melt. More than one fire has been caused by use of extension cords.

[Smitty77_7]

It's sure a great way to learn your rig:)! Yes to 12G Extension. IMO, try your electric fire place too. Turn it off if you use the microwave, but otherwise suspect that a 20A would support you without problem. 15A could be taxed with the electric fire place on.

 

Learn where your rigs circuit breakers are, as well as GFI outlets. Many 50A rigs, have a L and R leg. If the fireplace is on one of those legs, try to minimize the load on that side. (You may find a dedicated circuit to the fireplace(?))

 

Have fun,

Smitty