How does your generator port work?

[wncrasher]

I've seen on some trailers a shore power port on the front of the trailer for attaching a remote (portable) generator.

How does this work? How is it wired? Are the two inlets wired together, or are they each wired to a transfer switch?

I'm assuming if you are plugging a generator into it, the other shore power plug is not hot if you were to open it's door. Or is it?

[lsbrodsky]

There is a transfer switch, prone to failure based on other threads here. If you plug into the forward outlet, the aft outlet is disconnected. When voltage is sensed again it the aft outlet, it switches back.
Larry

[BAB]

They are wired to a transfer switch. Only one port will operate at a time. If you read through Forum on electrical, you'll find that some folks have experienced problems with this transfer switch. Apparently, it is not the highest quality component and if it fails only one of the two input ports works. I haven't had this happen (yet).

[wncrasher]

So are there two transfer switches in your trailer? One for the exterior 30 amp ports, and another for shore power/inverter?

[lsbrodsky]

No, the inverter feeds separate outlets marked as inverter outlets so the inverter is never in the circuit with shore power fed outlets. There is only the one transfer switch for the generator and shore power inlets.
Larry

[Jammer]

A fact to consider is that this (mis-)feature is present only on trailers with 30a electrical systems. Ordering the 2nd air conditioner, with the attendant 50a shore power, deletes the transfer switch and the 2nd inlet.

It's unclear to me how having a second inlet 20' away from the usual one is of any benefit given that 20' of shore power cord is cheaper, lighter, more reliable, and just as easy to use.