Hi
Im back again have searched google and can find no ref to using a gennie on a fixed wired caravan that makes it illegal.
that bought me to finking what about ice cream vans, mobile food vans, emergancy service opps rooms that need gennie power in the bush.

Maybe this is another urban/forum myth, this has got to me so when i get a chance i will ask some electric caravan repairers.

Regards Ge

Please i do not intend to upset any forum member or insult anyone. The truth is out there some where just have to find it.

Ge wrote:

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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.

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 thank you and a happy new year to you and yours too.

Vans are wired for 15 amp to permit the multitude of electrical appliances that are now fitted such as water heaters, airconditioners etc that draw much power while also allowing such things as a fridge freezer, battery charger, TV, Lights etc to also continue to be used.

There is a calculation that electricians use called "Maximum demand" and this is used to theoretically determine what the maximum power draw is likely to be based on what appliances are fitted.

With this is mind 15amps covers it pretty well (3600 watts) and that is why vans are wired for 15 amp leads and input sockets.

Generators

There are no restrictions on what size genny you use but a preference is always for an inverter style unit as they are the quietest and produce quality sine wave power.

There is a recommendation that you only use one earthed appliance at a time but if your van and wiring are in very good condition you can ignore this. Most gennies in the 2kVA range are current limited to around 7.7 amps anyway (or 1600 watts) so unless you are using a 3.6kVA genny you will not be able to run the aircon with anything else. Aircon off you can run most things in the van but likely not at the same time due to the genny not being able to produce sufficient power.

If you have any further questions please ask. I am happy to help where I can.

Frank

Phillipn

Because of the fact that you operate it manually there lies the problem if this is the way it should be done why do commercial installation use special control and interlocking equipment so that under no condition can the gen be connected to the grid manual control is not acceptable I do not know what state you are in but did this licensed contractor issue you with a compliance certificate I suspect not I would be interested to know if the 3 phase main switch is on and the gen circuit breaker is on is there voltage at the pins of the wall socket. I in no way have a concern how you choose to maintain your installation but after being in the electrical industry for over 50 years I feel I have a moral obligation to express my view in regard to an electrical installation if I believe it to be unsafe and you. Have posted an installation I am of the opinion is so

Peter

The 3 phase relates to the pix posted by Phillipn

marto1944 wrote:

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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

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Please have a GOOD look at the photo. When the switch is in the up position it is mains power only, in the centre all power is off, in the down position it is generator power only. " an accident waiting to happen, no way"

Are you sure that this thread is not just a hoax to see how many fish bite?

Jim, Jaws of life???

Consider this re the generator connection.

Both your house and your caravan's 230V AC are considered by the electrical authorities to be "Fixed Wiring".
The connection of a generator is considered to be prescribed electrical installation work requiring a certificate of electrical safety based on AS/NZS 3010:2005

Pfft .I better take my Onan genie out of my motorhome . !!

Izabarack wrote:

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sandsmere wrote:

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Here we go again!

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 It would be nice if people would just answer the original question.   Dribbling on about what is illegal or not spoils it for everyone.

Iza

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 Well if you don't like the way the tread is going don't keep comming back and reading it.

No wonder people get so confused with all this info whether it's right or wrong.
Get a 15 amp lead from Bunnings. Plug one end into the van. The other to the house. If you already have a 15amp setup in the house go for it.
If not, get one installed or use an anphibian? Spelt wrong, one of those orange things, to get the connection.
How is that hard???

 

Thank you so much for the expert information. I also ended up getting some more information from a caravan owning Bunnings staff member. I now know what to do. Much appreciated.

 

 

It is always useful to know about what one comments on before one comments on it.

 

-- Edited by Webmaster on Tuesday 3rd of January 2017 03:24:29 PM

Tool, electrical or cafeteria ??Lol

Ge wrote:

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Izabarack wrote:

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sandsmere wrote:

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Here we go again!

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 It would be nice if people would just answer the original question.   Dribbling on about what is illegal or not spoils it for everyone.

Iza

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 Well if you don't like the way the tread is going don't keep comming back and reading it.

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The h is between the g and the j.

-- Edited by sandsmere on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 07:37:28 AM