How to connect the power from a house and a generator to a caravan

tenpro · Newbie

How to connect the power from a house and a generator to a caravan

madaboutled · Guru

Firstly welcome,

Connect the female end of your 15 amp lead to your caravan inlet socket, then the male end to the Ampfibian, you'll need to open it that where the product instructions help, then connect the Ampfibian male plug to your house powerpoint.

As for the generator, most gennys have 15 amp sockets if it doesn't then the Ampfibian will come in handy here too.

-- Edited by madaboutled on Saturday 31st of December 2016 02:54:15 PM

madaboutled · Guru

Instructions for the Ampfibian RV Plus can be found HERE

Also googled your Stanley ST3200i generator and spec show it has 2 15a sockets. Some here say not to connect a genny direct to a caravan, I'm not arguing that point but putting the Ampfibian in-line MIGHT provide some extra protection.

Hope that helps

TheHeaths · Guru

Peter,

I don't know why you felt the other place wasn't helpful. The first 6 or 7 responses assured you that you had the correct equipment, and the way to connect your van.

I am uncertain what different information you think you may get here.

1) From the house - Plug Amphibian into 10 amp outlet in house. Plug your 15 amp lead into the other side of the Amphibian in the 15 amp outlet. Plug the other end into your van and turn on the outlet in the house. The 240 volt is connected.

2) From the generator - plug the 15 amp cord into generator, other end into van, start generator and your 240 volt is connected.

What else do you want to know?

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Saturday 31st of December 2016 05:42:57 PM

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Saturday 31st of December 2016 05:43:36 PM

Delta18 · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
Peter,

I don't know why you felt the other place wasn't helpful. The first 6 or 7 responses assured you that you had the correct equipment, and the way to connect your van.

I am uncertain what different information you think you may get here.

1) From the house - Plug Amphibian into 10 amp outlet in house. Plug your 15 amp lead into the other side of the Amphibian in the 15 amp outlet. Plug the other end into your van and turn on the outlet in the house. The 240 volt is connected.

2) From the generator - plug the 15 amp cord into generator, other end into van, start generator and your 240 volt is connected.
What else do you want to know?

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Saturday 31st of December 2016 05:42:57 PM

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Saturday 31st of December 2016 05:43:36 PM

He didn't bother to acknowledge the help he was given there and probably won't here either.

Then he'll go to another site, ask the same silly question and bag out this site.

macka17 · Guru

I've got one of those "Amphibian" things in garage if somebody wants one.
Came with this van.

My Genny goes straight into either van OR House through link plug.
240v Inverter.

And it's fine (legally. as far as I know) putting a 10a cable into a 15a Van socket.
Just remember how much you going to draw. Turn on.
and you'll be fine.
People have been doing it for over 50 yrs that I know of.
If not. The trip will advise you as missus screams down the stairs.

Chuckle. Don't ask me how I know that...

First time I did it (yrs ago)
I forgot and turned Air cond on with Microwave. And a few others.

Click...

Hylife · Guru

It is definitely ILLEGAL to connect a generator to ANY fixed wiring!.
That means both your house and your caravan are NOT permitted to have a generator connected to them.
I know some folks do this but it is definitely a legal and safety no-no.
You may only connect the device that requires power directly to the generator using non-fixed wiring.

Special wiring is required that electrically isolates the fixed wiring's normal input, when you connect a generator to its own specially designed input, that supplies only to specific lower powered devices, in such a way that the generator cannot be overloaded.

EG,
You are NOT permitted to plug in an extension cable from the generator output to your caravan input to power things such as aircon units etc via the caravan's fixed wiring.
The aircon must be disconnected from the van's fixed wiring and using an extension cable is to be plugged directly into the generator.

-- Edited by Hylife on Saturday 31st of December 2016 08:42:36 PM

Phillipn · Guru

We had this fitted to our house for supply to the house from the generator when their is a black out.

Power lead connected to the fitting [ like on a caravan] only operates lights and power points. Hot water, stove and oven and septic treatment plant are not connected.

Operate one light, fridge and TV.

aussie_paul · Guru

Hi Phillipn, I intend to do the same to our house, as here in Victoria we will have blackouts like SA when Hazelwood is closed. disbelief

Aussie Paul. smile

aussie_paul · Guru

Hylife wrote:
It is definitely ILLEGAL to connect a generator to ANY fixed wiring!.
That means both your house and your caravan are NOT permitted to have a generator connected to them.
I know some folks do this but it is definitely a legal and safety no-no.
You may only connect the device that requires power directly to the generator using non-fixed wiring.

Special wiring is required that electrically isolates the fixed wiring's normal input, when you connect a generator to its own specially designed input, that supplies only to specific lower powered devices, in such a way that the generator cannot be overloaded.

EG,
You are NOT permitted to plug in an extension cable from the generator output to your caravan input to power things such as aircon units etc via the caravan's fixed wiring.
The aircon must be disconnected from the van's fixed wiring and using an extension cable is to be plugged directly into the generator.

-- Edited by Hylife on Saturday 31st of December 2016 08:42:36 PM

Gosh, I had no idea, everyone does it don't they??

Aussie Paul. smile

Pete49 · Senior Member

I had a sparky set up our place with a connector so I can use the genset in power outages. Its a 3 way switch that when the power is out my whole runs on it. It shuts of the solar and mains so need to check with neighbours to see if power is back. A small inconvenience to pay for full power.Once Vic closes down Hazelwood it will be crazy in these states

pete

montie · Guru

Tenpro,

I'm not sure what answer to your query you are after but the answer on here will be no different to the other forum.

Install a 15 amp outlet at your house or connect from your gen set.
Your Amphibian will convert your 10amp outlet to 15amp inlet.
This was all clearly explained to you.

Montie

Bruce and Bev · Guru

there are 100's of Nomads who plug their genie straight into their van (including me) and have done so for years. Love to hear how many RVs have gone up in smoke, the users fried or other nasty things.

Why would so many people carry a genie with them (and Honda sell 1000s of them each year to nomaders) if they didn't plug them straight into their van.......

madaboutled · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
there are 100's of Nomads who plug their genie straight into their van (including me) and have done so for years. Love to hear how many RVs have gone up in smoke, the users fried or other nasty things.

Why would so many people carry a genie with them (and Honda sell 1000s of them each year to nomaders) if they didn't plug them straight into their van.......

Cause we all like to do things that are naughty sometimes!.

Izabarack · Guru

Hylife wrote:
It is definitely ILLEGAL to connect a generator to ANY fixed wiring!.

EG,
You are NOT permitted to plug in an extension cable from the generator output to your caravan input to power things such as aircon units etc via the caravan's fixed wiring.

So, what exactly will I be charged with when I do this today? Who, as in what position of authority, will write out the charge when I power my van's aircon from the generator, today?>

Iza

macka17 · Guru

Pete.

I had that connector installed in by house box. $100 done and dusted.
BY QUALIFIED SPARKY. with label in box to suit. (In QLD)
He's installed hundreds up here in Cyclone country.

Also have two solar systems with Inverters. Solar water heater tubes on roof.
plus pool pumps. swim jets. heaters.

That little box is bulging.Not one hole left.

My genny often runs both my van and Jeff's. HAS run Both with Inverter Air cond.s too,
3.8kva plus boost\whatever at start. But you hear it.
Lovely grunting deep crackle.

I asked Sparky about it.
He said. Don't know much about van wiring. But A\C.
You'll soon know when it too much of a load.. The trips will cut out.
or genny will lug and then die.
Either way????.

Mad.
Wonder how many vans and Motorhomes have genny's built in from factory then?
More than one or two methink's.

And 90% of the houses ouside of town limits round here.
have genny's wired into houses on that sw from new.
Some on grid. some off

I think it reasonably safe. Done right.

macka17 · Guru

Iza.

"You are NOT permitted to plug in an extension cable from the generator output to your caravan input to power things such as aircon units etc via the caravan's fixed wiring. ""

The only thing that happens is

either the genny grunts itself to a standstill if it too small
and compressor clutch trips in.

OR It'll run the fans, but won't trip in the compressor.
I've had both over the yrs with different genny's.

This one runs fridge, van, Aircond, AND kettle at same time.

Tried Microwave too.
But wishful thinking.

sandsmere · Guru

Here we go again! confuse

madaboutled · Guru

Popcorn Anyone???

Ge · Senior Member

Still don't understand. I do not have a gennie butt assuming i have a gennie that has enough power to run my firidge,lights,aircon and ty/radio ect why can i not just have an 15 amp lead from gennie to van.

Also as what i have read here ( i could be corrected) my house outlet is 10 amps so i plug a 15 amp lead in from house to van ( doe's that mean my van is wired 240 volt/ 15amp),
why do i need one of these amfibian things after all i only have 10amp going into a 15 amp circuit so cant overload or get hot ?.

As tou can see i have no electric knowegde or understanding so please no smart arse remarks.

Last maybe the original post was just trolling.

Sorry for the poor grammer and spelling but we all learn somthing new every day.

Regards Ge.

KFT · Guru

G'day Ge

you will not be able to plug a 15 amp lead into a 10 amp outlet. This is where you need the Ampfibian which plugs into a 10amp outlet and allows you to plug the 15amp lead to the caravan into the ampfibian.

frank

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The rules state that . But the main reason is to prevent two power sources mixing . Opposing wave signals can be 415v .. Either one or the other .. Btw Geni's run in fixed motorhomes . As said here we go again .. If your not Koalafied ? Don't do it !! Search there's been 100's of dead threads due to Sh!t fights over 240v connections .

Ge · Senior Member

Thanks Frank, the bloke down the road showed me his 15amp cord and I could see the different sized pins on the plug.

Frank I have seen your reply's to other threads and as they are always sensible without smugness I ask why is a van not wired in the same way as a house, 10amp 240 ect. Gets confusing to me. Maybe this should be put in the techie sect.

Thanks again Frank, kind regards to yourselve and your wife. Happy new year.

Ge · Senior Member

Just adding to my other post by reading other threads, I can only legally run one appliance at a time from a gennie.

That means if I'm in woop woop and the 12 volt dies I can only legally run one appliance at a time, so what's it to be the TV to watch the footy or the fridge to keep the beer cold " decisions decisions ".

I have noticed a lot of gennies have more than one power outlet but I'm assuming as the can be sold all over the planet different countries have different rules.

As I get older I want life to get simpler.

aussie_paul · Guru

KFT wrote:
G'day Ge

you will not be able to plug a 15 amp lead into a 10 amp outlet. This is where you need the Ampfibian which plugs into a 10amp outlet and allows you to plug the 15amp lead to the caravan into the ampfibian.

frank

Not until I filed the larger earth plug down to fit last week it wouldn't. lol biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 1st of January 2017 02:50:29 PM

marto1944 · Senior Member

Hylife, where did you get that you cannot connect a genny to fixed wiring well how do they get emergency supply in supermarkets banks etc when they have a power failure the emergency generator starts up when the power fails and supply certain equipment but this requires special control gear and interlocking mechanisms so both supplies cannot be connected at the same time ,so phillipn with your arrangement it has no interlocking mechanism just relies on the person switching off the main switch to me its an accident waiting to happen both supplies can be on at the same time

peter

aussie_paul · Guru

marto1944 wrote:
Hylife, where did you get that you cannot connect a genny to fixed wiring well how do they get emergency supply in supermarkets banks etc when they have a power failure the emergency generator starts up when the power fails and supply certain equipment but this requires special control gear and interlocking mechanisms so both supplies cannot be connected at the same time ,so phillipn with your arrangement it has no interlocking mechanism just relies on the person switching off the main switch to me its an accident waiting to happen both supplies can be on at the same time

peter

I think he means that you have to have the appropriate switches and wiring as per Phillipn.

Aussie Paul. smile

marto1944 · Senior Member

I had two different people in my reply and from what I can see with phillipn and his installation he has no interlocking mechanisms and relies on the person putting the switches in the correct position if that is the case its not something I would install in my place and I believe it is not legal

peter

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Usually done through relays . The trigger is fed by its power source . It drops out ? The triggers another relay or contractor to come on . BTW our motorhome has hard wired to genie and A/C . Toaster and just can all run at same time . Not the microwave though !! As with most rules there's other subsections where it can be done . We had PTO generator off our tractor when we have power outages on dairy farm . The main switch had to be off mechically before external power plug could be fitted . A fail safe way of connected a generator. Still had things to check though ! Mainly rotation .

Phillipn · Guru

aussie_paul wrote:
marto1944 wrote:
Hylife, where did you get that you cannot connect a genny to fixed wiring well how do they get emergency supply in supermarkets banks etc when they have a power failure the emergency generator starts up when the power fails and supply certain equipment but this requires special control gear and interlocking mechanisms so both supplies cannot be connected at the same time ,so phillipn with your arrangement it has no interlocking mechanism just relies on the person switching off the main switch to me its an accident waiting to happen both supplies can be on at the same time

peter
I think he means that you have to have the appropriate switches and wiring as per Phillipn.
Aussie Paul.

The system we have installed was done by a licenced electrician, their is no way power from the genie can be sent to the grid. the system is totally manual, their is no power to the power points and lights when the power supply comes on until the switch is changed by me.