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Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
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Author:  Nate [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Random question here but pretty confident a few on here would have the answer..

So I am wiring up a small floating camp, the breaker panel will only have (2) 20amp breakers. I have 2 generators, one has a L5-30 (120) plug and the larger generator has a L14-30 (120/240).

My plan is to install a L14-30 inlet power box and wire it to my breaker panel. However I also want the option to power the camp with the smaller generator that has the L5-30 plug. I plan on getting an adapter so this will plug into the L14-30 power inlet box.

So here's my question. Will I have to change the way the breaker box is wired when switching between the two or will it not make any difference and supply both 20 amp breakers no problem?

Thanks
Author:  Brady [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
The breakers on inside will protect from over load. And i sure the genset has a breaker to protect out put if it is to much. Are both the plug ins on each genset the same?
Author:  postalpaul [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Volts is volts
Amps is amps

If gen a is running 120v at 30 amps
And gen b is running the same your good

Can't switch 120/240
Author:  postalpaul [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Double bubble
Author:  p5388 [ Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
A standard breaker box is set up to accept a 240v input (2- 120v lines), in order to accept your 120v power source from the little genset, you will need both of your breakers on the same "leg" in the breaker box, otherwise you are going to have power to 1 breaker, but not the other when using the smaller genset (you will have to make both breakers feed from the same source). This also means your 20A breakers in the box will actually be protecting a potential 40A total load for the 2 breakers.

You can overcome the "leg" problem with the addition of a 3rd breaker, but it starts to become a little complicated...
Author:  Nate [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Author:  Nate [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Or would it make more sense to just install a single 30A breaker so it will run off both gensets with no concern over the leg issues..?
Author:  schauv01 [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
I'd have a friend that's an electrician to come look

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Author:  p5388 [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
This is the most explanatory diagram I could find:
Inside-Main-Breaker-Box-800.jpg

On a standard breaker box, you have (2) 120V main lines (240V total) - each 1 is a "leg" or phase. In order for the breaker box to be able to produce an OUTPUT breaker of 240V these "legs" have to be staggered inside the breaker box on what is called the bus bar. Since they are staggered, if you have (2) 120v breakers side by side, you are actually using (1) of each of the bus bars (or legs).

So, if you are going to use your 120V genset the breakers will need to feed from the same "leg" in the breaker box - 120V is only a single wire. You can put 2 breakers in the panel on the same leg (bus bar) to run your load, but you will not be getting the full potential from your 240V genset.

Going with a 30A single breaker defeats the protection of the circuit breaker in the panel, as you will trip your little genset before the breaker in the panel trips.

In order to use the 240V genset to it's potential, as well as being able to use the 120V genset, you will need 3 breakers in the panel (and you are going to need to make sure the 120V genset plug is wired to power up bus bar A) - Call these breakers #1, #2, & #3 - Breaker #1 (bus bar A) will feed what ever load in the camp you are putting on it, breakers #2 (bus bar B) & #3 (bus bar A) will be dedicated for the 2nd load. Breaker #2 will feed the other load in the camp, but you are going to need to put a jumper wire from the OUTPUT of breaker #2 to the OUTPUT of breaker #3 as well. When you use the 240V genset, breakers #1 & #2 will be ON (#3 [bus bar A] will be turned OFF), when using the 120V genset, breakers #1 and #3 will be ON (#2 [bus bar B] will be turned OFF)
Author:  Over the LINE [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
I have all 110 in my camp. I also run a small generator in the winter. I have a jumper cable made up with two standard three prong males to a single female twist lock 220. Powers both legs in my box but this only works if there is no option to accidentally run a 220 item. The reason my camp is all 110, even the water heater.
Author:  Nate [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Author:  Over the LINE [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
IMO way too much drinking goes on at camps to have the above setup that allows the two legs to be combined with the flip of a switch. I assume your 110 generator has in addition to the twist lock you describe, standard three prong grounded female connections. What I describe is simple and as long as you have no 220 loads basically foolproof.
Author:  p5388 [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
Author:  Nate [ Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring/Electrical Generator Question
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