How to Convert to Generator in My RV
Recreational vehicles, or RVs, have a much greater range of use if equipped with an onboard method of producing energy sufficient to power their 120-volt appliances. Generators fulfill this purpose, but the decision to convert to generator power must balance budgetary concerns with unit size, noise pollution and safety. Consider also whether you will be able to lift the generator if it needs to be moved, whether you need an electric starter or can manage a manual pull-start and whether an electric fuel pump will be necessary to draw fuel from where it will be stored.
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Instructions
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Calculate the maximum wattage that will be demanded of your generator. Add together the wattage values embossed or printed on data plates fixed to all appliances you might use simultaneously; the capacity of the generator must be greater than that total. An air conditioner will be the greatest draw, but smaller appliances used simultaneously must also be considered. The air conditioner will use less power to run than when starting up. This is called spiking. The spike value, assumed to be 20 percent of its running consumption, must be factored into your calculation.
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Ensure the generator you are considering has a round, three-pin 30-amp outlet with an integral circuit breaker, alongside a number of 15-amp outlets that look and perform just like the duplex outlets in a home. Your RV's umbilical --- the cord that is plugged into the electrical supply post at a campground --- should be plugged into that round, three-pin 30-amp outlet and not wired directly into the generator. Use a TT-30P (male) plug on the end of the umbilical and insert this into the female outlet on the generator. This will still allow easy connection to shore power when it is available.
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Make sure the generator has an unobstructed vent for the exhaust, which in turn does not impinge upon an unobstructed air intake to the carburetor.
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Locate all flammable materials away from the generator. Unless the generator is manufacturer-equipped with a fuel tank built into its frame, never place the fuel tank in the same cargo bay or quiet box. Even if there is an integral fuel tank, store additional gas remotely.
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Install a carbon monoxide detector in the RV. Many carbon monoxide detectors plug into an outlet.
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Test your RV in your driveway overnight before you go camping. Run the RV appliances from the generator. Note how much run time you get for a fixed amount of fuel usage, and supply the RV accordingly. A new or well-maintained 3,000-watt generator may run for more than three hours on a gallon of gas.
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Tips & Warnings
If the predicted demand is high, consider buying two small inline generators instead of one large unit.
Ensure the generator is configured for RV use. They should comply with the most stringent campground requirements. Some campgrounds, usually those operated by state and federal entities, mandate a maximum decibel level and the presence of spark arresters.
RVs run on 120 volts. Some generators have both a 120-volt and a 220-volt outlet, the latter primarily for use with construction site equipment. Use only the 120-volt outlet to power your RV; 220 volts will destroy almost every appliance and can lead to fire.
Always take care to site cables where they cannot contact hot surfaces or create a trip hazard.
References
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- Photo Credit electricity image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
