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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Switching from shore power to generator
Post Info TOPIC: Switching from shore power to generator
chattercamper


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Switching from shore power to generator
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We are somewhat new to RV'ing, and in the past I always turned the power off at the breaker, unplugged, waited 3-5 min, and then started the generator. Is this necessary, or can I start the generator first and then unplug? Is there a "correct" way to do this? Thanks in advance for your help.



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Bill Adams


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If going in that direction I always start the generator, wait for the transfer to take place and then unplug. However, going the other was (from generator to shore) I always shut down A/C (nothing else) and let the genset cool for a minute or 2 (I already have the shore power plugged in and turned on as the transfer switch prioritizes to the generator) and then power down the genset. Shore power will kick in and I turn whatever I need back on again. I never turn off a breaker before any kind of power swap (be that good or bad).

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jkrobbins


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If you have a automatic transfer switch, like Bill mentioned above then it doesn't really matter. If it is a manual transfer switch it still doesn't really matter. If you do not have a transfer switch then you never want your RV connected to shore power while the generator is running.

John

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chattercamper


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So the transfer switch will always give priority to the generator? Thanks for the replies.

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Bill Adams


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So the transfer switch will always give priority to the generator?
Yes, with an automatic transfer switch, if the generator is running it will be powering the coach.

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Bill Adams
Jack Mayer


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The transfer switch can be wired either way - and I have seen them "shore power prefered". But typically it is as Bill said - generator preferred.

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