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05-24-2023, 08:00 AM #11
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The Reflection frame is the issue - it is very weak. You will need to get it reinforced at the back to take the weight of what your trying to do. Inquire around at your local welding shops for help on how to reinforce everything. The receiver hitch is only welded to the cross member at one point and that is the weak point. The other weak point is where the receive assembly is bolted to the frame web on both sides - not much strength there. How do I know - I had at least 8 cracks develop in my frame over the suspension points and I am closely watching my rear spare tire carrier, receiver style.
2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar
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05-24-2023, 08:55 AM #12
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If I’m reading this correctly, you are missing the fact that it’s watts that count, not amps. (Watts = amps x volts). The Onan is giving you 4,500 watts, more than 10 times the power from the Victron. For the typical RV air conditioner you need about 12 amps at 120v, not counting starting current. That is 1,440 watts or more than 3 times what you can get from the Victron. It will help a bit but will not come close to powering an air conditioner.
I like the idea of running the generator in the truck bed if it can be done safely.Last edited by Tom Traveler; 05-24-2023 at 09:02 AM.
2021 Solitude 380FL-R
Ram 3500 MegaCab SB DRW
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05-24-2023, 11:37 AM #13
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Thanks for the reply @Tom Traveler. That's a very good point on the Wattage. I do like the idea of having the generator in the truck, and then installing the same plug in the front as what's located in the rear of the trailer. I'd then run the line to the same converter as the rear inlet.
However, I'd like to install a breaker between the front 50 amp plug and the converter. This way, if I'm using shore power on the rear of the trailer, I can open the breaker and avoid having a live power in the plug at the front of the 5th wheel. Any ideas on what type of breaker to install?Last edited by montana-todd; 05-24-2023 at 01:24 PM.
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05-24-2023, 01:00 PM #14
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That is a good catch. The receptacles on the RV will have "live" male prongs when using the other inlet plug. The same will be the case for the rear plug when you plug into the front with your truck bed genny. You could put a small breaker panel, with a 50 amp 2-pole breaker, by the front plug. You would still have a live rear plug when using the front plug, but that rear plug has a cap and you generally wouldn't be messing with it until you set up at a shore power site. Just make sure the generator is disconnected before you plug in shore power. This setup wouldn't comply with code, I don't think, because you wouldn't have a failsafe lockout. A goof up could be fatal.
Another option, the best one from a safety and simplicity standpoint, would be a 50 amp, 2 pole transfer switch. Both the front and rear plugs would feed the transfer switch and the output of the transfer switch would feed the converter. This is actually the common setup for a built-in generator.
They are not that expensive. https://a.co/d/dv7AmGR. This wouldn't cost much more than a breaker panel and might be an easier install. That's they way I would go.2021 Solitude 380FL-R
Ram 3500 MegaCab SB DRW
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05-24-2023, 01:39 PM #15
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The automatic transfer switch makes a lot of sense, I like that option. Thanks for this information! Our Momentum 350G had one, though I never had to deal with it. The generator had to run for about 30 seconds before it'd cut over to it for AC input.
Is there any brand that you'd recommend you've found superior to others when dealing with the vibrations of being in a travel trailer?
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05-24-2023, 05:18 PM #162021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
Two bathrooms, no waiting 155 fresh, 104 black, 104 grey 1860 watts solar.
800AH BattleBorn Batteries No campgrounds 100% boondocking
2020 Silverado High Country 3500 dually crewcab Duramax Allison
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05-24-2023, 09:41 PM #17
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05-27-2023, 02:45 PM #18
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05-27-2023, 07:51 PM #19
Your "generator in the truck" comment does give me an idea! Has anyone installed a second additional 50 amp plug into the front of their 5th wheel? I'm curious if I could add one, and then simply just leave the generator locked up in the truck bed and run it while we drive.
I installed a 30 amp plug in the front of our 2500RL. Ran a 10 gauge wire in conduit (was able to remove a few screws holding the coroplast up at both ends to feed conduit above coroplast) to a mechanical transfer switch mounted next to the electrical panel inside trailer. I can switch from front or rear plug as needed. On our desert lot I leave the generator in the pickup and plug it in when we come back to the trailer for the night. I don't have to worry about the generator disappearing while we are away. I run our Honda eu3000 in the canopy with the door opened up, it really cuts down on the engine noise. When the canopy is not on the truck I have ran the generator while driving and it works really good. Secure the cord really well. You could do the same with a 50 amp setup.2007 Ram 5.9 CTD 4x4 LB
2019 Imagine 2500RL
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05-27-2023, 08:32 PM #20
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Remember that a generator needs oxygen to run and produces carbon monoxide in the exhaust. This "breathing" involves far more than meets the eye. After an ice storm took out ALL electricity in the county I bought a generator and built a garage for it (well, garage, shop, and generator area). I had two two-foot-square openings in the generator area, so I thought I had plenty of airflow. Wrong! In 15 minutes the generator was out of oxygen and the generator area of the building was full of exhaust. In order to actually use the generator I had to drag it out onto the deck.
Back when we had that S&B and generator I thought about putting the generator in the truck and powering the a/c that way while driving. We ended up buying a motor home that had a generator designed to power the two air conditioners, so I kind of forgot about that idea until this thread came up.
The other thing to think about is that generators aren't exactly light. Will you have enough rear axle weight capacity to handle another couple hundred pounds in the bed? Yes, you could get a smaller one that will power only one a/c, but then it is easier for someone to take it for a walk.David Lininger, kb0zke
Rev. 2:10c
2022 Reflection 315RLTS, 2016 F350 CC SRW King Ranch
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