Just purchased a 2022 Winnebago RV. It has an Onan 5500 generator and RV is a 50amp service. It also has an inverter that all electrical components go through, the way I understand it anyways. Our previous RV was an Onan and 30amp service, no inverter. We were able to run it off of our Honda 3000 inverter generator in the trailer with no problem when plugging into the 30amp side. I tried doing the same with new RV and it would not power up. I tried turning off the eco mode on the Honda to raise amps but still would not power. Running off the RV generator or plugged into the landline everything works fine. Any suggestions? Thanks

Are you trying to run the AC? On our MH there is an amperage output on the panel, if the amperage output is set too low it wont' work. RV AC'c need at least 30 amp to function and is there a transfer switch in he back near your inverter and shore power cord?

another ? Are you plugging the 30 amp RV cord directly into the Honda or using an ext. cord?

Yes, I intend to run the AC. Is it possible to change that setting? The transfer switch is automatic and located by the shore power cord. The inverter is located towards the front by the steps in the lower storage compartment. When I tried plugging into the Honda, it never activated the transfer switch, no power to the RV at all.

The RV is 50amp, I have a 50 to 30 adapter pigtail, no extension cord.

Well if your transfer switch doesn't make a click over sound ? I would check that out. Does it click over when you plug into shore power? This ? could be my bad and obvious, but the the RV 30amp cord have another female 30 amp plug in elec. cabinet?

Yes, everything works fine when using the RV generator or plugging into shore power. I have a 30amp receptacle at home to plug into. No other cord or hookup in RV except the 50amp cord.

So your 50 amp RV cord with a 30 amp adapter plugs in directly to Honda that you moved up close to RV

breaker is kicking off on Honda

Yes, RV cord to adapter to Honda. No the Honda breaker is not tripped.

I ran into that when we replaced 2016 RV with a 2023 unit. Both were 30 amp service but EMS panel would not see generator. Turned out the floating neutral on gen would not allow transfer switch. I had to put a regular plug in 120v outlet with neutral jumpered to ground in plug. Worked fine after that. You could be having same issue. Look rv ground plug.

If you can get one, try another adapter, I had one of the adapters not work at all, so bought a new cord with correct plugs and it worked fine.

A 50 amp rv plug has two hot wires, a neutral and a ground. A 30 amp RV plug has one hot wire, a neutral and a ground. The transfer switch may be looking for voltage on the two (50 amp) hot terminals in order to actuate. So if the 30 amp hot wire in your adapter is not jumped to both 50 amp hot terminals in your adapter, the transfer switch is only seeing power on one leg vs two and that may be why it's not actuating. You can check how your adapter is wired by doing a continuity bench test from the 30 amp plug to the 50 amp terminals so you can see what's connected to what.

I was under impression the 30 amp RV recepticle worked fine at house. Should work with any 30 amp on a RV ready generator. The sticking point was whether ground and neutral were binded at generator. Was easy to figure out. House power was bonded, generator was not. Some of the latest electronics will not switch transfer if no bomd between. I checked it, and by searching ground plug, found references on RV websites. I made my own, no more issue. Mine is 30 amp, rather run race trailer gen cause it uses less fuel.

quote:

Originally posted by Clay Tyler:
If you can get one, try another adapter, I had one of the adapters not work at all, so bought a new cord with correct plugs and it worked fine.

I use this adapter to plug into a 30amp receptacle at home. Everything works fine this way.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Z:
A 50 amp rv plug has two hot wires, a neutral and a ground. A 30 amp RV plug has one hot wire, a neutral and a ground. The transfer switch may be looking for voltage on the two (50 amp) hot terminals in order to actuate. So if the 30 amp hot wire in your adapter is not jumped to both 50 amp hot terminals in your adapter, the transfer switch is only seeing power on one leg vs two and that may be why it's not actuating. You can check how your adapter is wired by doing a continuity bench test from the 30 amp plug to the 50 amp terminals so you can see what's connected to what.

That makes sense but the RV powers up just fine using this same adapter at home on a 30amp receptacle. I will check the adapter though, Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by muggs:
I was under impression the 30 amp RV recepticle worked fine at house. Should work with any 30 amp on a RV ready generator. The sticking point was whether ground and neutral were binded at generator. Was easy to figure out. House power was bonded, generator was not. Some of the latest electronics will not switch transfer if no bomd between. I checked it, and by searching ground plug, found references on RV websites. I made my own, no more issue. Mine is 30 amp, rather run race trailer gen cause it uses less fuel.

Yes, it does. The bonding issue might be what's causing it. I also asked this question on an RV site and several mentioned it also. Thanks

For sure need a bonding plug. All sorts of info on google. Had to do the same with my 50 amp rv and 3000 inverter Honda

The inverter is lookin for a ground. To make this work on my American eagle, I had to hook the neutral and ground together in the adaptor that plugs into the generator. Once I did that, inverter allowed power to flow.

Exploredom on youtube has a video showing how it's done.

I ordered bonding plug. Should be here Thursday and will try this weekend. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.