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Message |
Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member
Username: Mciv
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 70.69.188.254
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:33 am: | |
How do you wire a 4-wire genset(red, black, white and gnd.) 240v to a receptacle for a 120/30amp plug? (black, white, and gnd.) I plan to plug my main panel cord into either a receptacle for the genset or a receptacle for shore power. My system is 30amp/120v.
Thanks Iv. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member
Username: Drivingmisslazy
Post Number: 1985
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 75.108.79.214
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 8:07 am: | |
Easiest and best way is to re-connect the genset for 120 volt output only. Inside the gen connection box are typically four power leads. Probably now connected with 1 being one hot lead, 4 being one hot lead and 2 and 3 connected together for the neutral.
Reconnect with 1 and 3 connected together for the hot lead and 2 and 4connected together for the neutral/ground lead.
Richard |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 169
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 8:57 am: | |
Find the manual for your genset and it will give you the options in how to wire it for the voltage you want.
Do NOT just split the voltage (1 hot and Neutral) without checking the voltage output first because it may not be 120vac. |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 500
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 66.217.107.156
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 8:57 am: | |
Oops??
Red and black are "HOT", white and bare are ground; you
don't want to hook "hot" to "ground".
Without the manufacturer's schematics, or instructions, you
have little way to know exactly how to change the wiring inside
the genset, or how it will change the breaker action.
The safest way? Wire the genset to a 240vac socket, and use
a conventional 50 to 30 amp adapter..
The absolute best way, would be to convert your system to
a 50 amp service, use a 50 amp shoreline, and an adapter for
the 30 amp campsites... |
Chris Peters (Chris_85_rts)
Registered Member
Username: Chris_85_rts
Post Number: 48
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 66.194.150.45
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 9:41 am: | |
Okay, now you are getting conflicting information. John is right and Richard is right, but they are talking about two different things. Richard is talking about the wires from the winding of the generator head, which are typically labeled 1,2,3,4 and located inside the electrical panel of the genset. These wires would connect to the voltage regulator and to the Red/Black/White/Green(bare copper) wires that leave the genset.
Most high end gensets which can provide true 240V output can be rewired using the 1,2,3,4 leads in a different arrangement to provide 120V output only. This is what Richard was speaking about. You will need to consult the manual for the genset to get this right. This will be the best solution for using 120V service in your conversion.
The reason you don't want to use the genset in 240V mode and connect to only one side is a load imbalance problem which can cause voltage regulation issues. However, your genset manufacture may have designed for this, but again you will need to contact them for guidance.
Bottom line here is you don't want to guess with this connection. If you don't have a manual for the genset get one. If you don't understand wiring like this seek professional help. You could kill the genset or yourself. |
Iver (Mciv)
Registered Member
Username: Mciv
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 70.69.188.254
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 3:28 am: | |
Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will just rewire for 240. It might be a little time consuming to convert some circuits in the main panel but in the long run will probably be simpler.
Thanks, Iv. |