- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 5 years, 9 months ago by
CLOC-Admin.
CLOC-Admin.- Topic
CLOC-AdminHi, I was wondering if anyone has added a built in onan generator to a trailer with no generator prep. If so did you do it yourself or have it done?Posted: 12:25 PM – Nov 05, 2013I added a Champion generator to my 36fws but it did have the gen prep. I do not use the prep inside the trl to start, turn off, etc. because my gen is not electric start. Inside the front compartment is a electric metal box that was wired directly into my system. I put the gen in the frt compartment, and ran a cable from the gen (plugged into front of gen) to the electric box and it was done (sort of) . By using this hookup the auto switchover, that was part of the prep package, will auto switch between a regular input like a trl park and the gen thusly protecting your trl from two different input sources.Another way is to just snake your 30/50amp cord up to the front compartment and plugging that into the gen for your power.
I bolted my gen down and cut a hole in the floor for the exhaust to exit over to the door side of the rig.
Posted: 12:26 PM – Nov 05, 2013PS: I am really surprised your trl was not gen prepped????Posted: 9:56 PM – Nov 05, 2013pugpugI like your idea of snaking a power cord from the rear to the front of the trailer. You gave me ideas how I could a complete install myself:
1. Tie into where the power comes into the back of the trailer and install a two-way switch. I could use this manual switch to go from generator power then when I get to the campground flip the switch and go to shore power.
2. run a 50 amp power cord tucked along the frame from the back to the front of the trailer.
3. onan offers a wireless remote start option.
4. Now the hard part, trying to sell this project to my wife
Posted: 7:11 AM – Nov 06, 2013Eric,There isn’t much room bacd where the shore power enters the 5er. However, if you remove the rear black wall of the main storage (lots of small square head screws) you will see the heavy cable coming from the back then up into the main circuit breaker. My circuit breakers are in my bathroom..taping into the line here will be a lot easier and save a lot of wire too. One note about just taping into the line with a cutoff switch-no harm done if your generator accidentally feeds shore power when shore is unplugged, but a lot of bad things can happen if you forget to disconnect and feed shore power into the generator, even when the generator is off. This is why transfer switches are used.
Yes you can use the manual disconnects like used for large home central heat pumps and air conditioners – they disconnect both hot leads and the common, but not the ground. Not sure about the onan, but most generators are primarily 110, not 220. This is also true for inverters. Thus, unless a generator or inverter is large enough to run all appliances simultaneously, a sub panel of circuits is installed for items that will have access to the generator or inverter source. Without that subpanel, you can create your own brownouts or worse while running your generator or inverter. If you “never” forget, you can simply turn off the breakers you don’t want supplied by the generator/inverter (hot water heater, one or both a/c etc.).
What you do not want to have is a location that allows both hot leads (red and black) to be tied together when you plug in shore power.
An onan is convenient, but is also pretty heavy, and pretty expensive. There are a lot of lighter options out there if you aren’t after running both a/c’s.
B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.