Generator draw question

[DeltaRon]

2018 Classic 33 and Briggs & Stratton 3,000 Inverter generator. First time I’ve powered my new trailer with gen. thru dog boned 30 amp connection. With nothing running, except Inverter, propane, etc., the generator was pulled down to 47%. Is there that much running in the background? I was afraid to start the 13,500 btu AC. Anything I’m missing here?

[r carl]

Your batteries may have been getting charged.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Battery charger likely puts out 30A into the batteries and pulls 3 or 4 amps off of the 120V to get that done. The rest of the trailer (powered down) is well under 1A. So - was the fridge on? How about the water heater? Both can pull a bit of current. Water heater will probably go over 10A with the new system.

Assuming we're talking about the P3000, it's a 2600W generator. On that basis, 100% would be 21A. I have no idea how they do the indicator so there is an assumption there. 47% would come in at about 10A, so water heater + charger + fridge could easily get there. They also could hit the 47% point if the 100% mark is 3000W ( = 25A).

Yes, this does make you wonder just how a 30A trailer gets by on the power available. To some extent the answer is that not all 30A breakers trip right at 30A

Bob

[stromboli]

Check Alde and see if it is on

[DeltaRon]

Nothing was on unless the solar pulls amps. No alde, no frig, not even lights. Battery was in store position. Wonder if my generator is bad. It’s new and I was just running it to exercise it per directions. I was going to try and see if it would run my 13,500 AC but was concerned when I saw 47% draw.

[sgschwend]

I would test your reading and verify both the current and voltage supplied. Then isolate the currents by switching off circuit breakers.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by DeltaRon

Nothing was on unless the solar pulls amps. No alde, no frig, not even lights. Battery was in store position. Wonder if my generator is bad. It’s new and I was just running it to exercise it per directions. I was going to try and see if it would run my 13,500 AC but was concerned when I saw 47% draw.

Hi

Are you sure the magic indicator is showing load amps and not engine speed?

First step would be to unplug the trailer and see if it goes to zero ....

Bob