7000 onan genset question

flash · 08-27-2015, 10:02 PM

if your onan is wired direct into a breaker box on trailer,but you want to plug power from your shop into trailer to run lights and ac.is it as simple as wiring in a pigtail into breaker box for ext cord to plug into?and if you do this does it hurt the genset being shop power source would go back to genst even though it's not running.motorhomes have a long cord for trailer park hookups,but is there a switch that disconnects genset when you use it that way?

Sean Marconette · 08-28-2015, 01:38 PM

There is a transfer switch that is needed, it isolates the 2 power sources from each other. Or you could make it really simple by installing a transfer disconnect switch. It is a 2 position disconnect. 1 side would be your land line power and the other would be the generator. The breaker box would be the load side, so no matter which way the disconnect is positioned the 2 power sources would not buck each other which is bad. And the power devices would be protected by the breakers. This would be a manual transfer switch and the generator could run along with land power without bad things happening if the two were turned on at the same time. Hopefully this make sense.

Sean

Rich Biebel · 08-28-2015, 03:31 PM

My trailer generator's output is wired into a female receptacle box right next to the generator. A Twist lock 30 amp. My trailers breaker panel cord( male end) plugs into that generator receptacle. When I want to use a land line, I have an adapter cord that mates the trailer end to a std 120 plug.

No ATS or switch box needed.

I have a 4000 watt Onan in the trailer. Good for about 33 amps. I also have an external receptacle mounted on the tongue in a weather proof box that I plug my 24' motorhome into. Trailer generator powers both.

MH also has a 4000 watt Onan in it....I can use one or the other or both....MH does have an ATS...

Cords that plug into a box eliminates the ATS or manual switch box and works fine. Many motorhomes came setup just like that. There is no danger of having 2 power sources connected at the same time since only one can be plugged in....I like that arrangement and wired my trailer that way myself....

flash · 08-29-2015, 12:49 AM

thanks for the advice

08-27-2015, 10:02 PM	#1
flash Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 89 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	7000 onan genset question if your onan is wired direct into a breaker box on trailer,but you want to plug power from your shop into trailer to run lights and ac.is it as simple as wiring in a pigtail into breaker box for ext cord to plug into?and if you do this does it hurt the genset being shop power source would go back to genst even though it's not running.motorhomes have a long cord for trailer park hookups,but is there a switch that disconnects genset when you use it that way?

08-28-2015, 01:38 PM	#2
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 958 Likes: 617 Liked 165 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 7000 onan genset question There is a transfer switch that is needed, it isolates the 2 power sources from each other. Or you could make it really simple by installing a transfer disconnect switch. It is a 2 position disconnect. 1 side would be your land line power and the other would be the generator. The breaker box would be the load side, so no matter which way the disconnect is positioned the 2 power sources would not buck each other which is bad. And the power devices would be protected by the breakers. This would be a manual transfer switch and the generator could run along with land power without bad things happening if the two were turned on at the same time. Hopefully this make sense. Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

08-28-2015, 03:31 PM	#3
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: 7000 onan genset question My trailer generator's output is wired into a female receptacle box right next to the generator. A Twist lock 30 amp. My trailers breaker panel cord( male end) plugs into that generator receptacle. When I want to use a land line, I have an adapter cord that mates the trailer end to a std 120 plug. No ATS or switch box needed. I have a 4000 watt Onan in the trailer. Good for about 33 amps. I also have an external receptacle mounted on the tongue in a weather proof box that I plug my 24' motorhome into. Trailer generator powers both. MH also has a 4000 watt Onan in it....I can use one or the other or both....MH does have an ATS... Cords that plug into a box eliminates the ATS or manual switch box and works fine. Many motorhomes came setup just like that. There is no danger of having 2 power sources connected at the same time since only one can be plugged in....I like that arrangement and wired my trailer that way myself.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479

08-29-2015, 12:49 AM	#4
flash Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 89 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 7000 onan genset question thanks for the advice