Generator Question
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14531
Printed Date: 30 Apr 2024 at 1:46pm
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Topic: Generator Question
Posted By: dasbryant
Subject: Generator Question
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2021 at 5:41pm
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We have a 2020 rPod that we'll be taking camping soon. I have a simple but very pertinent question. When boondocking, I believe that the proper sequence of events is to first unplug the power cord from the generator - then start the generator and let it warm up a bit - then plug the power cord into the generator. I've heard that leaving the power cord plugged into the generator and starting it can put a strain on the electrical system? If this is the case . . then my next question would be whether turning everything off inside the camper first, then starting the generator with the power cord plugged in would be OK? We have a remote-start generator and it would be great to start the generator from 75' away, letting it warm up a bit, then turning on the coffee pot and any other electrical appliances we would need.
Thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2021 at 10:33pm
If you turn off the main 30A breaker, that should do the trick. That does not have a remote, so you will need to go to the power panel to do that manually.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2021 at 10:57pm
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It may not be best practice, but as a practical matter, you don't have to start the generator at zero load. I would not recommend starting it with air conditioner and/or the coffee maker on, but you should be fine starting it with a few lights and the converter on.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: dasbryant
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2021 at 5:54am
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Thanks for the responses, guys.
The A/C definitely wouldn't be on, nor any other appliances. The only appliances that would be on would be one or two ceiling lights. My CPAP runs off the inverter, so I'd be sure to switch that off first. Hit the remote for the Generator, let it warm up for a few minutes, then start the coffee pot. Sounds like a plan . . .
Thanks again.
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Posted By: Hardwear Hank
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2021 at 8:00am
Some generators will over speed on start up until the engine governor retards the RPM to operating speed. During this short interval you run the risk of a short spike in voltage. This event is in some of the lower cost units, better unit control this start up spike electronically.
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Posted By: Gebaldwin1
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 1:51pm
When in doubt, refer to your owners manual. All will direct you to remove all electrical loads before starting . Pulling the plug is simple enough. Starting under load can result in damage to generator or equipment on the trailer.
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GMan
Lil' Bumpy - RPod 180
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 2:28pm
Originally posted by dasbryant
We have a 2020 rPod that we'll be taking camping soon. I have a simple but very pertinent question. When boondocking, I believe that the proper sequence of events is to first unplug the power cord from the generator - then start the generator and let it warm up a bit - then plug the power cord into the generator. I've heard that leaving the power cord plugged into the generator and starting it can put a strain on the electrical system? If this is the case . . then my next question would be whether turning everything off inside the camper first, then starting the generator with the power cord plugged in would be OK? We have a remote-start generator and it would be great to start the generator from 75' away, letting it warm up a bit, then turning on the coffee pot and any other electrical appliances we would need.
Thanks |
You have it right. It's the same as the generator we have at home. No load start. Be sure there's no appliances on and awaiting (again, just like at home) to cause an immediate surge (or worst spark as you plug in).
Your assumption and caution is correct!
Safe Travels!
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 3:09pm
What would work is if there were some way to connect a relay that would start with the load disconnected and then power on after it is on and stable. I don't know if such a device exists, but if so, that would be great.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 3:40pm
Originally posted by StephenH
What would work is if there were some way to connect a relay that would start with the load disconnected and then power on after it is on and stable. I don't know if such a device exists, but if so, that would be great. |
Capacitors! Want to build one? There amazing little things that do so much. a capacitor bank at proper amperage would allow hard draw to hit the mains, yet be softened until capacity has reached.
We've talked about this before as to what a 'soft-start/Easy-start' is! Basically a capacitor bank.
Ever wondered why a MPPT works when a cloud passes by? Ya, very cool little items..
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 3:59pm
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I would have to disagree that an EasyStart is a capacitor. It may contain one or more, but it also has a microprocessor as it learns the starting pattern of the compressor so it will work when on mains power or when it is using a generator. It has to be "trained."
I tried a hard-start capacitor, and sure enough, it made the AC hard to start. The EasyStart is worlds different. View the video on the Micro-Air site and you will see what I mean.
https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267 - https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 4:06pm
Originally posted by StephenH
I would have to disagree that an EasyStart is a capacitor. It may contain one or more, but it also has a microprocessor as it learns the starting pattern of the compressor so it will work when on mains power or when it is using a generator. It has to be "trained."
I tried a hard-start capacitor, and sure enough, it made the AC hard to start. The EasyStart is worlds different. View the video on the Micro-Air site and you will see what I mean.
https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267 - https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267
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I do wish you the best as you spend your $$$. I look at what the item does and work out the process.
Safe Travels!
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 6:05pm
The Easystart is for sure not just a hard start cap. It does a microprocessor controlled staged start of the a/c and reduces the startup current to about 1/3 vs a small decrease with a hard start cap.
Neither one has any effect after startup, so if the small decrease from the hard start cap is enough to get your genny to hang in there then use that, if not get an Easystart.
I don't like plugging in a hot load so I use StephenH's procedure and close the 30A breaker instead.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 6:13pm
Originally posted by Olddawgsrule
I do wish you the best as you spend your $$$. I look at what the item does and work out the process.
Safe Travels!
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If you have the training and ability to do so, then go for it. I lack both so I went with the Micro-Air EasyStart. It is money already spent and I consider it well spent as opposed to other things that I have purchased that were not worth the money.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 8:00pm
I installed an Easystart recently and it works great. It was easy to put in, easy to go through the learning curve, and works as promised. I tried to run our AC with our Champion 3400W duel fuel, using LP which yields 3100W, before installing the Easystart. It could start it, but it struggled. Now, it works very well. I notice that with the Easystart, the fan starts up and is running while there is a brief delay for the AC to gradually come on. Seems to be much easier on the compressor as well as the generator.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2021 at 10:24pm
+1 I have noticed the same thing.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 4:26am
The Easystart is designed to turn on the blower first. That takes your inverter generator out of low rpm "eco" mode before compressor startup. That way you have the benefit of less fuel consumption and quieter operation while the a/c is not running. It's probably not needed for a 3kw genny but a 2kw needs to be at full speed to startup the compressor.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 8:28am
I tried our 3400/3100W dual fuel, running on LP, with our AC and it struggled in the start up. It may make it through, but it's obviously hard on both the AC and the generator. With the Easystart, nothing is stressed in the start up. It may not be "needed," but it sure works better with it. If the generator was fueled with gasoline, it'd probably start much better, but who wants to deal with gasoline and the stink?
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 8:50am
Sorry LA, when I said "it's probably not needed for a 3kw" I meant the preliminary startup of the blower to take the genny out of eco mode, not the soft start sequence itself. That it certainly sounds like you need for your particular generator.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 9:35am
No worries. My point was that the Easystart works well and takes the strain off both pieces of equipment, kind like the Siemens Soft Start used to start hydraulic pumps in elevators. I'm glad I followed your recommendation. The motor doesn't start with a huge jolt, but nicely slides into operation, easing the stress on everything. As with people, less stress equals a longer service life.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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