Folks with onboard generators connecting a External one.

[wmgeorge]

Anybody who has a onboard genset not in use, had any issues just running off a Honda or other portable one?

 

[booster]

Anybody who has a onboard genset not in use, had any issues just running off a Honda or other portable one?

Be aware whatever you do that most portables do not have a neutral to ground bond for safety like the onboard has and shore power has. I don't know why they don't as pretty much all codes say that you must have, and only one, bond and it has to be at the power source. In an RV it means that shore power post is bonded, the onboard generator is bonded when connected and generating only, and an inverter has an auto bond when it is outputting AC power and must unbond when it is not if it also has an automatic transfer switch to it internally.

I think if you want to put it into the main power you would need an extra transfer switch at least.

Just using a cord to put the output into the van plug is going to leave you unbonded when generating with the Honda.

 

[wmgeorge]

But you will still get the 120 volt power from say the Honda or other using the standard shore power plug?

 

[booster]

But you will still get the 120 volt power from say the Honda or other using the standard shore power plug?

I am not following what you are asking. Do you want to use the Honda and shore power at the same time?

The general rule that I have heard is that you only want one power source on at a time and that source needs to be bonded. RVs handle that by having an automatic transfer switch for shore power or generator and the inverter/charger will have second one for that looks at the output of the first transfer switch. The exception would be the "support" style of inverter that will sync their frequencies to shore power so they can supplement the shore power for big surges and such, but they unbond when they do that I am pretty sure. I think that shore power needs to run through them to pull it off safely, but not certain on that.

 

[booster]

It would appear anybody using a portable should have one of these plugged into it.

Amazon.com

 

[wmgeorge]

I mean you can plug the shore power cord into a Honda or other and still get power to the RV, no not plugged into a campground or other power source just the external genset.
Well my external genset even has a ground terminal marked, so you could just bond it to the neutral at the generator if needed. I understand the furnace has spark ignition so it must be grounded.

 

[Hatteras Jim]

Depending on your ac (air conditioning) unit, a small honda (2000 or less) might not handle the start up current needed for it to run (unless you install a current limiting device on your AC). Not sure of the size genny you wish to run.

 

[Tissy-ClassB]

Once a year I go off off grid lol. So I have no access to refill propane and need the air conditioner. Plus 30c sometimes. So I have a small gas generator and I take a lot of gas with me. I don't know if this is right or wrong but I have not had any issues. I run the air on low so not to draw too much power. So far so good