Generator Question

We have a 3000 watt generator and I have a question on its hook up. When I hook up the Cat to a campground power pole I always switch the 30 amp breaker off, hook up the power cord and switch the breaker on. Those with generators, do you use the same procedure when hooking up the generators. I suppose I could switch the main breaker off, start the generator and then trip breaker on. Any suggestions

I start The generator first, Plug the power cord in and then switch the breaker on to the generator.
Shutting down: switch breaker off to the generator, unplug the power cord and then cut off generator.

I use the breaker built into the generator.

I probably should do that, but I don't. I just turn on the generator and then plug in the power cord. I don't bother with the breaker at campgrounds either, I guess I'm tempting fate.

Richard Mondavi wrote:I probably should do that, but I don't. I just turn on the generator and then plug in the power cord. I don't bother with the breaker at campgrounds either, I guess I'm tempting fate.

Same here.

f150k wrote:We have a 3000 watt generator and I have a question on its hook up. When I hook up the Cat to a campground power pole I always switch the 30 amp breaker off, hook up the power cord and switch the breaker on. Those with generators, do you use the same procedure when hooking up the generators. I suppose I could switch the main breaker off, start the generator and then trip breaker on. Any suggestions

A little off base but a question. How does the 3000 watt generator do? Is it heavy enough to power A/C, and everything else. I've been looking at a 3000 watt generac at Lowe's. It comes with a 30amp outlet built in.

I have a champion brand 3500/4000 watt generator and it has the RV plug. It 's noise level is 68 db at 21 ft. I use it deer season for about 10-14 nights. It is in a three sided lean to directing some of the noise level away from camp, but being in a RV, that is really no problem. It is kept about 50 feet from the RV. No one in camp complains about any noise. We run four RV's on it then. It will run the 15000 air with out a problem. Have not had to use it for that as no park I've been to has lost power. I usually carry it on a tray on the rear of 5vr. I bought it because I couldn't afford the Honda. It was well worth the $279.00 at Cabella's. I have had it two seasons and no problems with the unit.

Slowtruck, we have not used our generator yet, the cat is still in a snow bank. I have been told that I should be able to run the AC just have to watch the volt meter. We do not use our AC much so that was not as big a concern for us. If we ever get out of this snow I will report back on the generator preformed.

Can I ask why you should turn off the breaker before plugging in the trailer when plugging into a generator or power pole? I sure don't do this at home so why would it be any different anywhere else?

You don't have to. I do it because I would rather plug into a dead outlet and then turn it on as opposed to plugging into a live outlet. I don't do this at home either, but at home I'm not standing outside, bending over to an outlet that I can't see very well and somtimes standing on wet ground.

If I choose to plug the trailer in before starting the generator, I want the generator to come up to speed and warm up just a little before I flip the breaker (not really a problem in my unit because the Surge Guard has a 2 min delay before connecting).

Bottom line: You can have it your way! This is just the way I do it.

I don't mess with the breaker. My generator has a 60sec delay before the auto transfer switch transfers power so the engine can have a chance to stabilize.

Jetskier, What kind of Generator do you have that has a 60sec. delay on it. Tim

timflood wrote:Jetskier, What kind of Generator do you have that has a 60sec. delay on it. Tim

The delay is not in his generator, it is in his transfer switch. Normally, you will only have a transfer switch when you have a permanently installed generator.

I have a Surge Guard installed that has a 2 min delay.

What Scott said. See my signature.