Shore power and portable generator

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by w.h.o, Mar 1, 2016.

  1. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Heard a story someone was using a portable generator to plug into the shore power on the truck. Would be useful on reset otr but wonder if it's possible?

    I have a Yamaha laying around but max at 13.3 amps, while I'm seeing shore power cord up to 50amp. My inverter works fine, just truck battery slowly turns off every plug after 8 hours and have to turn the truck on to recharge. Don't have opi idle plus idling kinda ruining my bonus

    What yall think?
     
    Dominick253 Thanks this.
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  3. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    What you looking to run with generator? I use a generator ..Honda 2000. Mostly use it on resets for extended time wasting on computer ...
     
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  4. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    I use a Yamaha EF2000 as a "shore power" source on my truck. It runs the oil pan heater and also charges the batteries via the Xantrex inverter/charger I have. Don't use it all the time, but it is handy. It resides in it's own enclosed box on the frame rail that has removable cutouts so the generator can run inside the box safe from weather and sticky fingers. The shore power input plug may show a rated 50 amps, as it is rated for that high, but 50 amps is not required. My Xantrex is 50 amp rated charging. If your shore power plug is standard 120v plug, your generator will work. A true 50 amp plug is one of those 4 prong, twist type plugs with very heavy gauge wiring you find on 10K watt and higher generators.
     
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  5. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    It'll work just fine, you'll just be limited to what the generator can handle. IMO, if your inverter lasts 8 hours before you have to start the truck, 13.3 amps is plenty for you.

    Doing some in my head math, 13 amps at 120 volts is about 1500 watts. To get 1500 watts from 12 volts, you'd be pulling 130 amps from the batteries. That's not including the efficiency loss through the inverter. If you add up everything that you'll be using at the same time and it comes to less than what you're generator is rated for continuously (not peak), you're OK. Peak is only its surge rating, like if you had a fridge, it will briefly pull more amps when it starts up.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2016
    w.h.o and Dominick253 Thank this.
  6. Rix43

    Rix43 Light Load Member

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    Did you try? If so, how did it work out?
     
  7. paradoxnine

    paradoxnine Bobtail Member

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    Oct 30, 2015
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    I think what you want is a victron multi plus inverter charger to replace the stock inverter, the victron will automatically change and float the batteries at 14.2 volts and pass through power to the interior plugs when plugged in to the generator.
    Also it's able to configure the battery type and size of the bank.
    And the shore power current limiter to avoid tripping the generator.
     
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