30 AMP OPS

[Pete Masterson]

John,

Thanks... My non-coach life has revolved around delicate computer
equipment, so I'm leery of switching power when devices are drawing
much (or any) current. At one point in my career, I 'supervised' a
computer that was so twitchy that just running a finger over the
breaker serving its circuit would cause it to go berserk -- since the
company's maintenance electricians had a habit of running their
fingers along the breakers to find one that was tripped, I had to
label "my" breaker with a "danger -- do not touch" label to avoid
unexpected shut downs.

It's good to know that the 'bird is rigged to consider the generator
as primary power source --- but for my own paranoia, I'll probably
still pull the breaker on the shore power before lighting the
generator just the same. Nice to know that there is likely safety
protocols that will prevent damage should I forget...

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA




On Aug 13, 2006, at 6:02 AM, John Suter wrote:

> Hi Pete,
>
> I wanted to address the following for you:
>
>> when I've been in a park with 30 amp power, I've
>> unplugged and turned
>> on the generator to use the cook top -- figured I'd
>> blow the 30 amp
>> circuit otherwise.
>
> Generally speaking, most Birds are electrically
> designed so the generator is the primary source of
> power. Therefore, after the generator is started and
> completes its warm-up and test cycles (and, for Birds
> so equipped, the additional tests by the generator
> controller (WestHaver GenCon)), the shore power
> connection is internally disconnected by the transfer
> switch (in some Birds you can hear the transfer switch
> humming in the kitchen sink area, or hear it
> snap/clunk when switching) in favor of the generator
> power source. When the generator is shut down, the
> power source automatically reverts to shore power, (or
> inverter, if no shore power is available). Therefore,
> in the future, you needn't disconnect at the pedestal
> to start/stop the generator; although, it is always a
> good idea not to switch among power sources while
> drawing heavy amperages to avoid burning/pitting the
> electrical contacts. Manual transfer switch Birds, as
> well. Best to reduce the load first (shut off A/C's,
> microwave oven, etc.) - If your coach has 12V
> electronic gear, such as in-motion sat, and DOES NOT
> have a separate 12V power supply (which we've
> recommended adding ad-nauseum here on the Forum), I'd
> also strongly recommend shutting those sensitive
> electronics down momentarily while switching power
> sources.
>
> John Suter



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