I don't know if this has been discussed before, but I've decided to post this for anyone that doesn't know about the importance of GROUNDING of portable generators. I'm not talking about the LP generators that come factory equipped with your RV because I don't know since I've never looked at the wiring diagrams of the internal wiring of those, and don't know if they come with external 120 or 240 Vac receptacle outlets.
Now, on with the ALERT. Today I received my new 2KW portable generator (Honeywell Model HW2000i), and while reading the owners manual, it stresses the importance of grounding the generator. It has an external grounding terminal, and goes on to say the the 120 Vac receptacle, if tested, will not show as grounded and that the neutral conductor is not connected to ground. My Lance owners manual clearly states that when operating the camper on 120 Vac that it must be plugged into a grounded 120 Vac receptacle outlet. If not, you may damage the components that operate on 120 volts, such as the A/C, TV, and microwave, and may be exposed to electrical shock or electrocution Also, the on-board 120 volt receptacles will not be grounded. This is a big safety hazard! So, when using the portable generator out in the boonies where there is no 120 volt (or 240 volt if that is what you utilize) grounded receptacle available, you MUST connect the grounding terminal on the generator to an earth ground (grounding electrode). What this means, is that you must carry along an appropriate length of green insulated wire as a grounding electrode conductor (check your generator owners manual for proper wire size) with a means to attache it to the generator grounding terminal, such as a forked or ring type lug crimped on one end, and a suitable type clamp on the other end to attach to a grounding electrode, and a rod or pipe of suitable length as a grounding electrode to drive into the ground. If you have an electrician friend, I'm sure that they can set you up with this.
Now I have a question for other RV'ers using portable generators...how many of you do this?
I think it would also be prudent to purchase a plug-in receptacle tester to verify that any AC electrical source that you may plug into at a campground or RV park is in fact properly grounded. They're not expensive. Without assuring that the AC source is grounded, you may be taking a big Shock/Electrocution risk, not to mention voiding any warranty on your RV or on-board appliances.
Regards & safe RVing.
Joners
1996 Chevy K1500 4X4 Short Box, 5.7L Vortec, E rated tires, Lance Model 820 with Cabover Struts, Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags, KYB MonoMax Shocks, Torklift Stable Loads, Happijac Truck Camper Tiedowns and Turnbuckles, Honeywell HW2000i Generator.
to properly ground you must drive a rod into the ground, most places I camp it would be impossible to drive a copper rod down 5 or 6 ft to be grounded. So I don't worry about it at all
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
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Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
To the O/P you need to know why the ground is important.. Once you know that you will understand why you need not ground the generator
Now: Let me try to describe this
Our house system the neutral *IS* grounded, so is the park system. So imagine you have a hot-wire to case short.. And the switch is open so the path to ground is absent (2 wire plug or not grounded outlet) where is that current going to go.. THROUGH YOU TO GROUND that's where
Now if we have a proper 3-wire ground the hot shorts to the case. CLICK the breaker shuts off
Ok, let's use a NON GROUNDED generator
Now the hot wire is shorted to case, the neutral is NOT grounded so ground, suddenly is 100% meaningless. Where is the current going to go
Hhere is the wireing diagram
Generator hot-------Cord--short to case/case--You--- nowhere at all
NO current flows cause there is NO RETURN PATH TO THE GENERATOR
And thus you are safe
Now let's ground the generator
And let's add a neutral-ground short on the generator end
ANd let's break off that 3rd prong again
And we are back at scenaro #1, Hot--Case---You--Ground--Current
So you are better off not grounding
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
I have never heard of anyone having issues in this regard. However I have heard (from our neighbor who works for the state (California of course) and trains inspectors for the enforcement of such nonsense here, that this is now becoming a new mandate. It started (according to him) with large commercial generators and they (as usual here) got carried away and made it applicable to ALL generators. He caught hell here about it (including from his brother-in-law) but he claims he's just the messenger. As far as I am concerned he's a "hotline" to those idiots who created the new "mandate".
Bill
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