Installing a shore power receptacle and switch

[consciousctrl]

Hello all!
First post on the Skoolie forum, and I'm trying to install a shore power option to my skoolie. We already have an 8kw generator plumbed into the engine and a circuit box that allows the generator to power both AC units (separate 120v breakers) and the AC power outlets in the bus (4 total breakers, one for each Air unit, one for the front half outlets, one for the back half outlets).

Currently there is a 3 way switch between the generator and bus batteries that needs to be turned on in order to start up the generator or the bus. This was installed previously in order to save the alternator charge when the bus sits for a while, as far as I understand.

I'm no electrician, for the record lol. But I'm fairly handy

I'd like to install a 50amp receptacle to power the circuit panel when staying somewhere with hookups, and I was told that the best thing to do would be to break the line from the generator to the circuit panel and install a 3 way switch so I can choose between generator and shore power to feed the circuit panel.
I was looking for advice on what I need specifically to buy for the 50amp inlet, and the switch, and any other advice / potential errors/ things I need to keep in mind when setting up the wiring.
There are 50amp inlets that come with boxes on amazon but they seem to be for attaching to the side of your house when the RV/ bus is parked?

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Rucker]

The way I'd do it is to re-route the output of the generator power from your circuit panel to one inlet of a 50 amp automatic transfer switch, and wire a 50 amp RV inlet receptacle and feed that into the other inlet of the transfer switch.

The output of the transfer switch becomes the input into your circuit panel.

You'll also need to confirm your generator's neutral/ground bonding capability-search google for "8000 watt generator neutral bonding" to become educated and avoid electrocution.

 

[nikitis]

Yeah we just had a recent thread on this very subject. Only one neutral-ground bond location in your live system at a time. If your generator handles that then good, if not, you'll need to modify it.

Shore power handles it for you so no worries there.

If it's Solar power only, the inverter needs to handle so you need to verify the inverter you have does this.

 

[More2See-SKO]

Hello all!
First post on the Skoolie forum, and I'm trying to install a shore power option to my skoolie. We already have an 8kw generator plumbed into the engine and a circuit box that allows the generator to power both AC units (separate 120v breakers) and the AC power outlets in the bus (4 total breakers, one for each Air unit, one for the front half outlets, one for the back half outlets).

Currently there is a 3 way switch between the generator and bus batteries that needs to be turned on in order to start up the generator or the bus. This was installed previously in order to save the alternator charge when the bus sits for a while, as far as I understand.

I'm no electrician, for the record lol. But I'm fairly handy

I'd like to install a 50amp receptacle to power the circuit panel when staying somewhere with hookups, and I was told that the best thing to do would be to break the line from the generator to the circuit panel and install a 3 way switch so I can choose between generator and shore power to feed the circuit panel.
I was looking for advice on what I need specifically to buy for the 50amp inlet, and the switch, and any other advice / potential errors/ things I need to keep in mind when setting up the wiring.
There are 50amp inlets that come with boxes on amazon but they seem to be for attaching to the side of your house when the RV/ bus is parked?

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated

You would need a

50 AMP Twist Lock RV Shore Power Inlet 125V/250V with 3 Stainless Steel Pins and Screws RV Shore Power Inlet with Weatherproof Boot Kit,NEMA SS2-50P,ETL Listed,Black​

or alike for you input into the bus. Your power cord from would connect to the inlet. You can buy transfer switches to switch from either shore power to generator and or solar. If you are shopping inverters for solar then Victron products ( there are others) can handle the switch over and turn the generator on and off. Bonding as mentioned becomes an issue so make sure all the grounding is done correctly. Your fine equipment will appreciate if down the road.

A manual transfer switch

RV Transfer Switch, 50 Amp Automatic Transfer Switch for RV Speedboats Home Standby 120/240 Volt PD52 Power​

can be installed where the generator power is prioritized and disconnected when shore power is present. The easiest and cheapest way is to simply plug the generator plug into your new power inlet which is wired directly to your fuse box when using. Nothing fancy or automatic but maintains all the bonding requirements and reduces the possibility of two power sources colliding.

 

[Carrier6]

Is your generator permanently mounted on the bus or do you just plug it into the 3 way switch?