How do you hookup generator(s) to AS with 50-amp service?

[DaytonaDan]

Just wondering.

How do you connect a 50-amp AS to a generator or two?

The 2017 Classic Owner's Manual electrical schematic shows no remote generator connection point.

There must be a way to get power to the A/C when not docked.

Just wondering .....

[tjdonahoe]

You can buy a 30 amp to 50 amp cord, they are smaller and easier to handle, got a blue one, all weather, off amazon....

[AWCHIEF]

Plug into your trailer AC inlet using a plug adaptor available at any RV store or wallyworld.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by DaytonaDan

Just wondering.

How do you connect a 50-amp AS to a generator or two?

The 2017 Classic Owner's Manual electrical schematic shows no remote generator connection point.

There must be a way to get power to the A/C when not docked.

Just wondering .....

I have the twin air conditioners and the 50a service.

As noted upthread, you have two obvious choices. One is that you can get a 50a-to-30a cord, that fits the Marinco inlet in your trailer, and ends in a standard 30a 125v cord. I have one. It's useful not only for generators but for the many situations where 50a service isn't available at the pedestal or we don't need it. The 30a cord is much lighter, cheaper, and easier to handle, compared to the 50a cord.

You can also get a 50a to 30a "dogbone" adapter.

Finally, if your generator has a twist lock connector you can make a custom cord specifically for the purpose, so you don't need adapters, and so you can size the cord to fit your situation.

[m.hony]

So-
There is no portable generator or connection big enough to get 50 amp service from a generator or pair of generators and run both a/c units?
The only option is to use 30 amp service and 1 a/c unit?
I'm sure the onboard generators in Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels will put out 50 amps and run both a/c units or maybe even 3 a/c units with a transfer switch.

[3dawgnight]

We have a 2016 Serenity with dual A/Cs (50 amp). We have 2 Honda 3000i Handi's which we connect using a parallel cord and then we use a 50/30 dogbone to connect to Airstream. We just used them and they worked great. We either had the 2 running all day long, or we used one in the evening and then used other appliances. No problem. We usually had to refill gas every 7-8 hours.

[Boogieshoes]

Originally Posted by Lauriej57

We have a 2016 Serenity with dual A/Cs (50 amp). We have 2 Honda 3000i Handi's which we connect using a parallel cord and then we use a 50/30 dogbone to connect to Airstream. We just used them and they worked great. We either had the 2 running all day long, or we used one in the evening and then used other appliances. No problem. We usually had to refill gas every 7-8 hours.

We also have dual A/Cs (2016 30); have focused on purchasing a pair of 2000w to place in tandem and run one A/C unit. Looking at larger gensets, such as the 3000i noted above, but even to 6kw gensets they list 30A outlets. How do you get the 30A from the dual 3000's to to 50A inlet on the AS?

Also, are we being silly expecting to run both A/C units while dry camping?

[LY007]

A 50 amp generator would be a darn big unit.

[m.hony]

I'm still thinking there is no way to haul around a generator big enough to run both a/c units on a 50 amp trailer.
Can someone confirm or deny?

[Al Boondy]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I'm still thinking there is no way to haul around a generator big enough to run both a/c units on a 50 amp trailer.
Can someone confirm or deny?

You would need around an 11kw generator to produce 50amp which wouldn't be very portable.

That said you shouldn't need that much for 2 ACs if you use them wisely.

[HiJoeSilver]

Theoretically you could do it with a 5000w generator, which wouldn't necessarily be huge, but you can't find one with a 50 amp plug until you get in the 7500w range. The smallest I could find measures about 27" lxwxh and weighs 213 lbs empty.

It does have wheels!!!

[BAB]

No issues using a Honda EU3000iHandi to run the 15,000BTU A/C. The Honda weighs around 70 lbs, has integral wheels and easy to put in the back of the truck. When I'm running the A/C, though, I obviously am not using other heavy electrical consumers -- like the microwave. I use a 30amp to 50amp dog bone. No issues.

[m.hony]

I would not think you could run both a/c units simultaneously.
Run either one or the other one at a time?


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[mojo]

See post #6

[m.hony]

Post 6 is asking the same question I am asking which has not yet been answered with a definite "no".
I can only assume the answer is no.


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[HiJoeSilver]

I saw a Y cable at a rv dealer today that had a 50 amp and 2 30 amp plugs. It was meant to combine 2 30 amp inputs to a single 50 amp output. Not sure it would parallel generators, plus they were 30 amp plugs to fit pedestal outlets and not the generator outlets. So more adapters for that.
If I get back there tomorrow I'll take a picture. Not sure how much it cost either.

"Also, are we being silly expecting to run both A/C units while dry camping?"
My thoughts exactly, might as well just go get full hookups because you're missing the point of boondocking running 2 big generators and having to add gas all the time. Although I could see running one for a little while at night to take the edge off before turning in.

[m.hony]

The purpose of that cable is to plug a 50 amp trailer into (2) 30 amp receptacles at an RV park that doesn't have enough 50 amp sites.


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[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

"Also, are we being silly expecting to run both A/C units while dry camping?"
My thoughts exactly, might as well just go get full hookups because you're missing the point of boondocking running 2 big generators and having to add gas all the time. Although I could see running one for a little while at night to take the edge off before turning in.

Yes.


Maggie

[3dawgnight]

This is the link for where we purchased our Honda 300i generators and the parallel kit.

http://www.maxtool.com/honda-super-q...-and-oil-alert

Then we use our 50 amp plug with a 50/30 dog bone. It works great. When the temperature was 90 degrees at night, we definitely needed the a/c. WE set one a/c to come on a few degrees lower than the other, so at times, only one was going. The gas usually lasted about 8 hours before having to refill.

[rdepas]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I'm still thinking there is no way to haul around a generator big enough to run both a/c units on a 50 amp trailer.
Can someone confirm or deny?

I use a Honda EU6500is and it can easily run both A/C units on our 2014 Classic. It has a 240/120 30A twist lock plug on it and I purchased an adapter off eBay that will convert that to a 50A RV receptacle.

Adapter is labeled: Generator Adapter Cord 4-Prong Twist Lock 30A L14-30 Male to RV 50A 14-50 Female

Think the key is to understand you don't truly have 50A power available so if you are trying to run both A/C units, the electric hot water heater, fridge, microwave, TVs,.....you may run into an issue. I'm fortunate that my generator has a meter on it that I can watch the number of watts being used so I can check when running multiple items.

I'll add that the 6500W genny can be a bit of a beast to get in the back of the truck, but it is pretty much a 2' cube so once in there, it doesn't take up much space and is no louder than the 2000W Honda.