Rehash: 120 volt or 240 volt for 12.5 KW generator

[belfert]

The generator would be set for 120 volt only when tying the two legs together.  I know enough not to tie 240 service service together.

[TomC]

On my bus I have a Powertech 10kw powering 3 13,500 roof tops and 2 elec water heaters. I have the generator wired straight 120v with two sets of three wires from the generator to the breaker box. Hence that also means I only use one leg of a land line for 50 amps-which when sitting isn't a problem. I like it so much, I wired my truck motorhome with Wrico 12kw the same way. It eliminates having to balance the load. On the Wrico, I had to change the hook up on the alternator and add a jumper on the regulator-actually not that big of a deal. Much easier and have never had a problem with just 50amp on land line. Good Luck, TomC

[buswarrior]

The good generators will have a schematic and directions under the lid, as to which L1, L2 L3 L4 to connect to where, depending on the desired outcome.

The generator head manufacturer doesn't want you to screw it up either...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[belfert]

This is supposed to be a good generator head made in Italy, but no diagram under the lid.  My friend was over Friday evening and expected to have the wiring diagram under the top.  The diagram is in the manual I got.

[richard5933]

This is supposed to be a good generator head made in Italy, but no diagram under the lid.  My friend was over Friday evening and expected to have the wiring diagram under the top.  The diagram is in the manual I got.

I had one of those from Wrico. The head was made by Mecc Alte and was really nice. Bolted it to my existing Perkins diesel and it made a sweet generator. The diagram was available on their website if I remember correctly. I have it somewhere if you can't find it.

[belfert]

I had one of those from Wrico. The head was made by Mecc Alte and was really nice. Bolted it to my existing Perkins diesel and it made a sweet generator. The diagram was available on their website if I remember correctly. I have it somewhere if you can't find it.

I was thinking the manufacturer was Mecc Alte, but I wasn't sure and didn't want to go out and look at the generator.  The wiring diagram is in the manual Wrico supplied.  I haven't had a reason to look at the Mecc Alte website.

Edit: I took a picture of my generator data plate and went to the Mecc Alte website.  Where do you find a manual or wiring diagrams on the site?  I looked up my serial number and it has all kinds of great dat, but no manual or wiring diagrams.  I tried looking up my model number too, but nothing there either.  The serial number lookup is cool as it shows the results of quality control testing for your specific unit and even the QC results for the voltage regulator.

[David Anderson]

Looks like the consensus is about 50/50 either way.  Dick Wright gave me the option of 240 or 2 120's when purchased, and I voted 240.  I've had my Wrico 13kw that way for 20 years without a hiccup.  I have a 50amp welder plug on the bus to plug in my Lincoln cracker box welder just in case.  It has been used a few times.  I used #6awg  THHN wires in mc flex conduit for wiring.  Neutral is #6awg also.  Ground is #10.

I do have ammeters on each leg to see the loads.  I bought current transformers for that circuit so the signal wires to from the transformer to the meters are #16awg.   Ammeters are next to the generator control pad within sight of the bus driver.  I am never more than 10 amps out of balance.  It's not hard to keep the loads closely balanced.

David

[Dave5Cs]

What kind of receptacle are they using? Two 50-amp?

Standard 100Amp 5 pin just like for porta-power boxes.

[richard5933]

Standard 100Amp 5 pin just like for porta-power boxes.

Are there commercial rigs using 100a power like this? I've looked at many high-end coaches at rallies and shows but never seen one with more than a standard 50-amp power setup. What type of rigs are going with 100-amp service?

[dtcerrato]

Are there commercial rigs using 100a power like this? I've looked at many high-end coaches at rallies and shows but never seen one with more than a standard 50-amp power setup. What type of rigs are going with 100-amp service?

Geeze! Talk about ENERGY HOGS...

[Dave5Cs]

Maybe ones with 4 and 5 Ac's. We saw them in Texas and OK at the poles and some say people hav big rigs now seem to look for them. Otherwise can't imagine who would use them.