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jmsokol View Drop Down
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Posts: 89 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Generator Problem...
    Posted: 17 Jun 2014 at 2:47am
Originally posted by Cap-n-Cray

A wall plug is called a duplex outlet or duplex receptacle...

Yes, pro-sound guys call them Edison outlets and plugs in America since that's the man who invented them. But you electricians and engineers also know they're officially called NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 connectors. Smile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector
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Posts: 121 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2014 at 1:15am
A wall plug is called a duplex outlet or duplex receptacle...
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2014 at 1:12am
Just want to say thanks for the contributions here. Learning a lot and appreciate the posters willing to share their knowledge. 
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2014 at 12:38am
Aha, said the blind man. I got it. So off to the hardware store for an openable plug and will put in the jumper and plug it into one of the Edison plugs. Never knew they were called that. Safe Travels.
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:58pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob

Thank you both. I don't seem to have any sensitive electronic gear on the road with me I haven't ever used the surge suppressor with the generator. I certainly have when powering from a pedestal at a campground. Other than very sensitive electronics, is it necessary to use the surge suppressor with the generator? Should I fabricate a G-N bond even though everything seems to work properly now? Safe Travels.


A modern inverter generator arguably probably doesn't need a surge protector.  I'm sure there a scenarios were it might be a good idea with such a generator, but the thing is, if you permanently install a surge protector for those times when you're using no telling what kind of shore power, you're stuck with having it inline when you're using the generator.  It's simple and cheap to do the G-N bonding plug.

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Posts: 89 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob

Thank you both. I don't seem to have any sensitive electronic gear on the road with me I haven't ever used the surge suppressor with the generator. I certainly have when powering from a pedestal at a campground. Other than very sensitive electronics, is it necessary to use the surge suppressor with the generator? Should I fabricate a G-N bond even though everything seems to work properly now? Safe Travels.

I personally think it's best that all 120-volt AC systems have a G-N bond. So if your shore power connection DOES supply it, and your portable generator DOESN'T supply it, then YOU should supply it with an external G-N bonding plug. Just a reminder, this does NOT plug into an outlet inside of your RV. It must only be plugged into a spare Edison outlet on your Generator.

FYI: All generators that are built-into larger RVs already have the G-N bonding function supplied by the transfer switch. Since you don't have a generator transfer switch in your "Pods" then this takes the place of one.  
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:18pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob

Thank you both. I don't seem to have any sensitive electronic gear on the road with me so I haven't ever used the surge suppressor with the generator. I certainly have when powering from a pedestal at a campground. Other than very sensitive electronics, is it necessary to use the surge suppressor with the generator? Should I fabricate a G-N bond even though everything seems to work properly now? Safe Travels.
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Joined: 26 Sep 2011
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:17pm
Thank you both. I don't seem to have any sensitive electronic gear on the road with me I haven't ever used the surge suppressor with the generator. I certainly have when powering from a pedestal at a campground. Other than very sensitive electronics, is it necessary to use the surge suppressor with the generator? Should I fabricate a G-N bond even though everything seems to work properly now? Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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Posts: 89 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:04pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob

You have all dazzled me with your footwork. Let me see if I understand. I have powered our Pod with the Honda 2KW genset without a surge protector in the circuit. Works fine. Am I doing something that is dangerous? Safe Travels.

Not a problem at all and not dangerous. However, there may be some other modern electronics that "want" the ground and neutral to be bonded. Of course, the most obvious ones are a voltage/surge suppressors such as the very fine Progressive Industries products. There's also a few pieces of pro-audio gear that don't like it and will error or misbehave. And without a G-N bond you can't use a 3-light tester to confirm if your internal RV wiring is OK.

BTW: I'm going to be discussing generator G-N bonding when I'm a guest on the RVtravel webcast this Saturday at 12 Noon EST. Click this link a few minutes before it starts and you'll be able to post your questions to me directly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrPP_gN4JGo

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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2014 at 8:03pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob

You have all dazzled me with your footwork. Let me see if I understand. I have powered our Pod with the Honda 2KW genset without a surge protector in the circuit. Works fine. Am I doing something that is dangerous? Safe Travels.

You should check to see if it has a neutral-ground bond, and if not, build the device shown above.  Also check with the VoltAlert device to be sure you don't have a safety issue, each time you hook up.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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