This discussion is intended to share Ideas with newbee's and refresh others like myself on basic principles of electrical needs and methods of our conversions:intended use is the main consideration. Connected at a camp ground?or dry camping? I am a connected to 50 amp service at a camp ground person so I design my electrical 120V system to this available power level. Since I have designed my electrical needs to 50 amps I use a gen set that produces approx 50 amps instead of the 20kw type. It's all in your intended use! comments please. Bob
I am a lowest common denominator type, I often have to plan for 30 amp or lower service, or less, so I designed around that. 30 amp power cord, 3,000 watt generator, 3,000 watt inverter. I have no need at all for 100 amps of 120 VAC that you get with a 50 amp plug nor do I want, at this stage, to design in the permanently mounted generator that could deliver 8Kw or 10Kw. If I used my bus like a lot of you use your buses, I probably would do it differently than I have.
Brian
Robert, so you are planning on using your genset 100% while traveling down the road?
I just can't come to terms to have a genset running 24/7 when you can get some usable amps off the Series 60.
There are cheap inverters and one can get a good House battery bank for little monies.
Everyone has there own way to "find his own method"
I have a 50 amp system in my coach. I wanted to be able to easily run two roof airs plus other stuff. Two roof airs take every bit of 30 amps. I only installed an 8KW generator as 33 amps per leg is plenty for me. I've never overloaded the generator yet.
Ruthi and her husband generally never have plug in power. They run their generator pretty much 24x7. They decided a battery bank and a good inverter was more hassle and expense than running the generator. Their new bus has two generators so they have a backup if the main one fails.
Gen while running down road. It cost me approx $1.80 per hr to run so how many hrs would it take to put a equal amount of converters and batteries in? 7.5kw we spend around 200 hrs a year traveling road time-- and in certain temps don't run gen set except briefly every couple of hrs to cool refer. I did retain the drivers air and heat which was separate(compressor small auto type) from coach air and heat.Bob
Bob, I admire your sensible economics.
It doesn't get much simpler than that. A plug and a generator.
Time for a new religion?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I currently have a 10kw Powertech Diesel generator that is wired for straight 120vac. With all 120vac on the generator, there is no need to "balance" the loads between the two windings commonly found on a 120/240vac set up. Consequently, when I plug into a 50amp power pole, I only can use one leg of the 50 amp plug-so I am restricted to 6,000watts at a campsite. It has never been a problem-just have to stagger your electrical useage when at the power pole. I like it so much, my truck conversion with a Wrico 12kw is also wired for straight 120vac service. Good Luck, TomC
Robert, so how many places that you have been to that don't allow you to idle or run a generator?
I have traveled and pulled into a residential area and have been asked not to run the generator or "move"..
Not having to move the bus and running off house batteries is priceless.
actually never had the problem. Differant style of use I suppose. or really quiet Gen set. we do state, federal, corp of engineer, nat forest service, and private parks. any where from $8.50 a nite to $23. for hook ups.Have paid more but try to avoid those.$395 month in Fla plus Elect. usually about $80. Bob
Ours: Input 50 amp cable to Trace SW4024 inverter charger then to 120V AC breaker panel. Generator will produce 55 amps at 120VAC and that also goes through the Trace.
We also have a 750AH battery bank at 24VDC with 4 solar panels supplying it via an MX60 controller. I really like the quiet without the generator. We don;t skimp on usage at 150-200 AH/day. That's about 5 KWhr/day. In a hookup site about 9-11 KWhr/day due to electric hot water heater. Boondocking we use the Webasto to heat the hot water. Will run the generator if needed but minimal usage.
Bill