tekkski



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Posted: 10/27/10 06:01pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator Let me get this out of the way: I have tried the search !!



I have not been able to find an explanation that I, a moron, can understand after two full days of searching the web. So here I go:



I understand that voltage (120 ac) x ( times ) amperage = wattage .



My question is, based on that 7000 watt generator @ 120v will put out 58.3 amps. My 5er has 50 amp service and one 50 amp cable coming out of it. I have dual ac's and want to buy a PORTABLE generator that will allow me to run both ac units. The problem that I am running into is that everything I look at has a 30 amp 120/240 twist lock plug but the generators are rated at 7000 watts. How does this make sense? Will I need to re-wire the plug ? Will it actually give me the 58 amps since I am only using the 1 leg of the plug and not both for the 240 volt? Please help and I know this has been explained 345345 million times but I just still don't get it :*(.



Long story short: Need generator for 50 amp service 5th wheel and am confused as to why a 7000 w generator only has a 30a 120/240v twist plug. PLZ HELP.





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Posted: 10/27/10 06:32pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator 30 amps on each leg of a 240 volt circuit = 7200 watts.



If you wire the twist lock plug for 240 volts, you will have 30 amps (30 x 120 volts = 3600 watts) available on each leg, which should run both AC units at the same time.



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Posted: 10/27/10 07:08pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator The problem lies in "peak" power. Most 7000 watt generators I looked up were only 5000 - 5500 continuous. Once you get into the bigger models (10,000 watt), they start rating them by the useable power and have the 120/240v 50a plug that you need.



Go to this page I found at random and scroll down. they have images of all the plug-ins on the machine. Your 50 amp RV service uses the NEMA# L14-50R



Hope this helps.



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Posted: 10/27/10 07:30pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator You're not going to find MANY folks dry camping and running two air conditioners.



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tekkski



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Posted: 10/27/10 07:50pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator I'm still fuzzy on this. Let's use an actual example. Lets say I bought this generator: Generator



Specs are below. It has a L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V. It's a 7kw generator with a surge rating of 8250 watts. So it should be easily able to pump out the 50 amps I need. And here is my question again: Why does it only have the 30 amp plug? (L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V)



Generac website (PDF): Spec Sheet



Amperage (amps) : 29.2 A

Assembled Depth (in.) : 33.5 in

Assembled Height (in.) : 27.5 in

Assembled Width (in.) : 26.5 in

Auto idle control : No

Automatic Voltage Regulation : Yes

Built-in inverter : No

CSA Listed : No

ETL Listed : No

Electrical Product Type : Distribution Load Center / Breaker Accessory

Engine Displacement (cc) : 410

Engine manufacturer : Generac

Fuel Gauge : Yes

Fuel tank capacity (gallons) : 8.0

Fuel type : Gasoline

Full load fuel consumption (gallons/hour) : 1.2

Horsepower (hp) : 0 hp

Item Weight : 190 lb

Low oil shutdown : Yes

Manufacturer Warranty : 2-year

Muffler : Yes

Number of circuits/outlets : 4

Operational volume (dB) : 0

Osha Required GFCI Outlets : Yes

Output Receptacles : four 120-volt outlets and single 120/240-volt 30 Amp twist lock outlet

Product Height (in.) : 27.5

Product Length (in.) : 26.5 in

Product Weight (lb.) : 190

Product Width (in.) : 33.5 in

Rated wattage continuous (watts) : 7000

Rated wattage peak (watts) : 8250

Run time at 50% load (hours/tank) : 11

UL Listed : 1-UL Listed

Voltage Rating : 120/240





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Posted: 10/27/10 07:54pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator tekkski wrote:



I'm still fuzzy on this. Let's use an actual example. Lets say I bought this generator:



Specs are below. It has a L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V. It's a 7kw generator with a surge rating of 8250 watts. So it should be easily able to pump out the 50 amps I need. And here is my question again: Why does it only have the 30 amp plug? (L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V)



Generac website (PDF):



Amperage (amps) : 29.2 A

Assembled Depth (in.) : 33.5 in

Assembled Height (in.) : 27.5 in

Assembled Width (in.) : 26.5 in

Auto idle control : No

Automatic Voltage Regulation : Yes

Built-in inverter : No

CSA Listed : No

ETL Listed : No

Electrical Product Type : Distribution Load Center / Breaker Accessory

Engine Displacement (cc) : 410

Engine manufacturer : Generac

Fuel Gauge : Yes

Fuel tank capacity (gallons) : 8.0

Fuel type : Gasoline

Full load fuel consumption (gallons/hour) : 1.2

Horsepower (hp) : 0 hp

Item Weight : 190 lb

Low oil shutdown : Yes

Manufacturer Warranty : 2-year

Muffler : Yes

Number of circuits/outlets : 4

Operational volume (dB) : 0

Osha Required GFCI Outlets : Yes

Output Receptacles : four 120-volt outlets and single 120/240-volt 30 Amp twist lock outlet

Product Height (in.) : 27.5

Product Length (in.) : 26.5 in

Product Weight (lb.) : 190

Product Width (in.) : 33.5 in

Rated wattage continuous (watts) : 7000

Rated wattage peak (watts) : 8250

Run time at 50% load (hours/tank) : 11

UL Listed : 1-UL Listed

Voltage Rating : 120/240 I'm still fuzzy on this. Let's use an actual example. Lets say I bought this generator: Generator Specs are below. It has a L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V. It's a 7kw generator with a surge rating of 8250 watts. So it should be easily able to pump out the 50 amps I need. And here is my question again: Why does it only have the 30 amp plug? (L14-30R Twist-Lock 120/240V)Generac website (PDF): Spec Sheet Amperage (amps) : 29.2 AAssembled Depth (in.) : 33.5 inAssembled Height (in.) : 27.5 inAssembled Width (in.) : 26.5 inAuto idle control : NoAutomatic Voltage Regulation : YesBuilt-in inverter : NoCSA Listed : NoETL Listed : NoElectrical Product Type : Distribution Load Center / Breaker AccessoryEngine Displacement (cc) : 410Engine manufacturer : GeneracFuel Gauge : YesFuel tank capacity (gallons) : 8.0Fuel type : GasolineFull load fuel consumption (gallons/hour) : 1.2Horsepower (hp) : 0 hpItem Weight : 190 lbLow oil shutdown : YesManufacturer Warranty : 2-yearMuffler : YesNumber of circuits/outlets : 4Operational volume (dB) : 0Osha Required GFCI Outlets : YesOutput Receptacles : four 120-volt outlets and single 120/240-volt 30 Amp twist lock outletProduct Height (in.) : 27.5Product Length (in.) : 26.5 inProduct Weight (lb.) : 190Product Width (in.) : 33.5 inRated wattage continuous (watts) : 7000Rated wattage peak (watts) : 8250Run time at 50% load (hours/tank) : 11UL Listed : 1-UL ListedVoltage Rating : 120/240



That 4 pole plug puts out 30A into two hot legs and you have to have an adapter to convert those to your 50A two hot leg power cord and then you will still be limited to 30A on each side of the 120V bus.



Larry



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FiverDragger



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Posted: 10/27/10 08:22pm Link | Print | Notify Moderator jmantee is correct. The 30 amp twist lock will give you 2 legs at 30 amps each. This will run most everthing in the rv. I have a 50 amp service and my park connection at home is a 30 amp 240 volt service. This gives me 7200 watts of useable power and everything runs fine. Now if you wanted to run a toaster, microwave, dryer, 2 airs, water heater, fridge and the convertor all full on at once you would have a overload problem. 2 airs on high once running will draw approx. 3,200 watts leaving you with 4000 left for everthing else.

Ron



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