Shore Power Cords

oltrunt · October 30, 2014, 04:29:50 PM

I have the same hook up as Paso One. I've tried every power combination I can think of including having shore, genny and inverter on at the same time--no feed back, no cross talk no nothing since the male pigtail coming from the breaker box can only be plugged into one source at a time. I've made sure that the respective grounds and neutrals each return to their point of origin to safeguard against "hot skin". I suppose that someone who had eaten a big enough bowl of stupid for breakfast might find a way to hook up 3 pigtails--one for him and one each for two buddy's rigs or try to figure out a way to get 240 volts out of a 120 volt system. Hmm, I wonder how that would work out, phasing being what it is?

TomC · October 30, 2014, 10:20:41 PM

That system of plugs is truly the simplest way of going. But, it also looks like this is accessed from outside. And it is always raining, and storming when the power pole goes off. I know I wouldn't want to be outside in the rain changing the plug from one socket to the next.

Just to give another idea-I have three circuit breaker boxes. 1st is for either shore power or generator. This leads to the second circuit breaker box that has all circuits that are not run by the inverter plus the 30amp circuit feeding through the inverter to the 3rd breaker box that is for inverter run items only. The advantage to this system is that it is inside the bus (mounted above the left front wheel well). And also, if I'm plugged into a 20amp plug, I can turn off the 30amp circuit to the inverter and have both inverter power and power pole power at the same time. It is so easy to operate, please look into upgrading to simple flip circuit breakers. I've been using this system for 20 years and like it so much, I'm repeating the exact system on my truck. Good Luck, TomC

eagle19952 · October 31, 2014, 06:31:20 AM

what ever happened to simple transfer switches ?

Oonrahnjay · October 31, 2014, 06:44:26 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on October 31, 2014, 06:31:20 AMwhat ever happened to simple transfer switches ?

I have a simple auto transfer switch. It was reasonably priced but not cheap. It has worked perfectly (with the Outback 2000/watt 12V inverter) every time I've needed to switch between shore, generator or inverter power. Three of the 4-pin sockets would be about $70 at places near me, the 4 pin plug another $15, so add a bit for cable between them and the plug-in system runs to nearly $90 in parts.
I greatly respect the KISS system, and the plug-in system is the simplest, but I also like the auto function of my setup -- and it doesn't seem too complicated or unreliable. (Of course, it also automatically switches the bonding of grounds and neutrals properly, too.)
Another "do it your way" thing, I guess. Both seem to work OK.

But here's another way to look at it. It's 3:30 AM and 30º outside with a couple of space heaters on and the power on the pole goes off --

1) I run downstairs, push the generator glow-plug button then "Start" - in 7 seconds, I have power.
2) I run down stairs, find a flashlight, open the eleck-trickle cabinet, check out which sockets, pull the plug (pull it once, pull it again, look to see if there's anything jamming it, pull it again, wiggle it a bit and then give it a big pull) and get it lined up with the correct socket, push it in, and then go to the generator start. Power in

seconds, with juggle factor?
Yeah, I like KISS but there's something to be said for quick, easy and automatic.

eagle19952 · October 31, 2014, 06:51:26 AM

it definitely works well in the rain

Oonrahnjay · October 31, 2014, 06:59:46 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on October 31, 2014, 06:51:26 AMit definitely works well in the rain

Yeah, I wouldn't even consider running outside in the rain/sleet at 3AM and 30º outside to change over a plug. If I were using the plug-in system, it would deff be in the eleck-trickle cabinet inside the bus! I'm not knocking the plug-in system, just saying I see advantages to the auto switch.

TomC · October 31, 2014, 09:11:04 AM

Bruce add auto-start to your generator then you don't have to worry about the power pole going out. Good Luck, TomC

oltrunt · October 31, 2014, 09:45:36 AM

TonC, I like the system you devised and I agree that it would be a PITA to have to go outdoors to switch power sources. That's why I installed the recepts in the power control panel inside the bus. The panel occupies an area just inside the entry door which would otherwise have been of little use. With a tiny bus like mine, maximum use of minimum facilities is the name of the game.

This is a "during construction" shot of the power control panel. From it I can select shore, genny or inverter as well as start and stop the genny. The panel is located directly (though separately) above the battery bank thereby eliminating long, power sucking connections.

Paso One · October 31, 2014, 12:56:48 PM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on October 31, 2014, 06:59:46 AM
Yeah, I wouldn't even consider running outside in the rain/sleet at 3AM and 30º outside to change over a plug. If I were using the plug-in system, it would deff be in the eleck-trickle cabinet inside the bus! I'm not knocking the plug-in system, just saying I see advantages to the auto switch.

I have a access panel from the inside so I don't have to leave the bus to switch plugs. Of coarse the picture you can't see the panel.

I too wouldn't go outside to switch plugs but I can

Scott & Heather · October 31, 2014, 03:02:05 PM

You guys are soft. My favorite part of going outside in the winter to fire up the genny (pull start) and switch plugs manually (luggage bay) is after breaking the ice jamming it closed, you rest your hand on the stainless edge of the bay so you can lean in and switch plugs and your hand sticks to the metal....yep, tongue on fencepost syndrome

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Clumsy fingers may contribute to mistakes.

oltrunt · October 31, 2014, 04:08:29 PM

Ha, Ha, Ha! That does sort of put it all into perspective

digesterman · October 31, 2014, 06:30:03 PM

Go with all auto switching, auto gen start, only way to go. Let the bus take care of itself, allowing it to decide which power source is available and to use it.

Oonrahnjay · October 31, 2014, 09:27:40 PM

Quote from: Scott Bennett on October 31, 2014, 03:02:05 PMYou guys are soft. My favorite part of going outside in the winter to fire up the genny (pull start) and switch plugs manually (luggage bay) is after breaking the ice jamming it closed, you rest your hand on the stainless edge of the bay so you can lean in and switch plugs and your hand sticks to the metal....yep, tongue on fencepost syndrome

Starting the second week of January, forward my mail to St. Croix US Virgin Islands (record low temperature, 61 degrees) until spring. Just reading this made me want to go sit in the hot tub.