Salvage inverter question

[buswarrior]

A gallon per hour for the generator?

How big a generator? Entertainer coaches are famous for running overly big generators, but to get that kind of consumption, I'd be thinking it needs to be loaded heavy, pretty much to the max.

And you aren't doing that, so maybe the generator isn't costing what you think it is?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Van]

Could grab a cheap portable Gen and set it on the ground outside and have fun

[eddiepotts]

I really feel sorry for the people next to me. But I have slept in everything from a tent to my Prevost out there for the last ten years so it is my turn to make some noise. The rumble of a good engine puts me right to sleep. I don't think I have seen one race without a nap during the middle of it. It may have something to do with the hangover lol.

BW I think your right. I need a couple of flashlights and an Iphone for internet. If she complains it's cold then she needs to move closer. I think I will do some more studying and come up with something I need instead of having to start over later. I just hate not even being able to get a 2500w portable generator to run cheaper. My generator is a 21kw Kabota. It may not be costing me as much as I think. Just going off what I have read here. I seen some marine guages that measures fuel usage for twin engines. I may need to get one.

Van, Yhats what I would like to do. I even have one. It only had 2 110v outlets on it. How do I get me 50amp plug in it.

[Van]

Depending on the kw of the portable, my guess each outlet would be 15-20 amp max. Hook up to your 50 amp system couldn't help there, I'll let those who have been there advise you cause this is uncharted territory for me adapters maybe? . By the way, a gallon of fuel an hour for a genny sounds pretty steep. What kind of Gen do you have on board, also might look into a portable propane heater like our Big Buddy heater does work well to take the chill out, but not for the entire coach. Don't they have 50 amp at the race way? Las vegas motor speedway even has 100 amp for the high dollar big boys. Oh some 12 volt lighting in key locations about the bus could run pretty much all night with little drain in the juice department, just ask boxcarOkie and your savings... more BEER for the races.

[buswarrior]

get a set of dogbones, cheater plugs, with your 50 amp on one end, and then a combination of pieces that get you down to 30 amp for campgrounds, and a regular 15 amp for plain plugs. Hardcore, get a 20 amp one too.

I have one of those circular twist plugs on my 3k inverter Yamaha that lets me access all the power. I made up a cord with the circular plug on one end, and a stove plug box on the other for the 50 amp cord.

Powering through a Trace 4024, it will run two roof airs. Don't know for how long under what extremes, but it functions and the batteries get a little dribble of charge while doing it.

And, you can carry on a polite conversation standing over the top of it while it does it.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[eddiepotts]

Van, TMS does not have power in the infield. I think they have a lot outside the track that has it but I would not give up my spot inside for it. And I think it is high dollar for them anyway. I don't hunt so this is my deer lease. I am starting to think hunting would be cheaper. I am a mechanical inspector for Shell Oil company so when I see what these cars can do mechanically it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It's not who wins for me it is all about the cars. Nobody knows what it is until they are standing against the fence when 43 cars come by at 200mph. It is loud but it does get your heat pumping. 

BW, So I can make a 4 wire 50a pigtail to plug into the plugs on a small generator? I know it would just trip the breaker if I overload it. I just want to know that when it gets to the TV it will all be safe power for it. If someone could give me a diagram of how to wire the pigtail that would be great.

[buswarrior]

Yes, you can... perhaps the assistance of some experienced hands to check the coach would be in order?

Depending on whether you have 240 volt loads on board, and how the rest of it is wired, you might have trouble.

All things being appropriate....

If the little generator is wired for 240, you faithfully connect all 4 wires to the appropriate connections and all should be good.

If the generator is wired for 120, you tie both the hots together in the three wire plug, providing 120V to each side of the panel. No 240v loads will work, but you MUST know that everything in the coach is wired correctly, that you haven't got wires reversed, neutral/ground issues are correct and any other wild things that let loads appear to "work" but may be dangerous, especially if you start adapting things.

Dangerous means fire/electrocution hazard at worst, and non-functioning due to tripping breakers at best.

happy coaching!
buswarrior