INFO: I am looking for 50A power -which used Winnebagos/Itasca's have it?

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by DriVer

Hikerdogs, I am in possession of an OEM installed, Onan Gold 7,000 watt gasoline powered generator since model year 2003 on my Winnebago Adventurer Model 38G.

I stand corrected and also a bit surprised. Just last month we were looking into replacing our 01 Adventurer with a 2011 model. We looked at a few in Forest City and picked up a couple brochures. One of the things we were interested in was a different generator. The 5500 model we have now was in need of expensive repairs with only 160 hours on the clock. It's been maintained religiously and run according to the information published by Onan. We were hoping that there were other choices since this one hasn't lived up to expectations.

All the information available (including the stickers on the new coaches) indicated the ONLY generator available in the Adventurer was the Onan Marquis Gold 5,500 watt model. There are no other models listed as optional.

As it turned out we couldn't find a floor plan we liked. That coupled with the generator issue lead us to stick some cash into the old one in hopes that it'll last until they make something we like to replace it.

[mrschwarz]

Originally Posted by Nuge

Why do they call it a 50 Amp outlet if it's actually 100 Amp?? Perhaps it should be called 2 phase 50 Amp??

There is no such thing as 2 phase, that I am aware of. It's a single phase 50-amp 240 volt plug with a center neutral. At 240 volts, you have 50 amps. That's why it's called that. In an RV or industrial/residential setting, they are always wired the same.

If a 30-amp receptacle is wired for residential use, like a dryer or stove, it is 30 amps of 240 volts. The is no center neutral so you can't get 120 volts from it. If it is wired for RV use, it is 30 amps of 120 volts only.

The big difference, other than current, is the 50 amp connector has 4 conductors (hot, hot, neutral, ground) and the 30 amp only has 3 (hot, neutral, ground).

Does this explanation help?

[bluepill]

Originally Posted by lemosley01

Thanks for the info.

Campingman - I've been watching Ebay closely as well as the ad services, but haven't found 2006-2007s in that range. In the auctions, some start at 50K, but they go up from there. I'm also trying to limit my range to around 1000 miles from home (Charlotte, NC).

Do you have any advice to pass on?

FWIW, we just stayed at a KOA in Statesville. Right next to them is a dealer called "Repo's Unlimited". You can find it with Google.

I know nothing about them, but it's close to you.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by mrschwarz

There is no such thing as 2 phase, that I am aware of. It's a single phase 50-amp 240 volt plug with a center neutral. At 240 volts, you have 50 amps. That's why it's called that. In an RV or industrial/residential setting, they are always wired the same.

If a 30-amp receptacle is wired for residential use, like a dryer or stove, it is 30 amps of 240 volts. The is no center neutral so you can't get 120 volts from it. If it is wired for RV use, it is 30 amps of 120 volts only.

The big difference, other than current, is the 50 amp connector has 4 conductors (hot, hot, neutral, ground) and the 30 amp only has 3 (hot, neutral, ground).

Does this explanation help?

Actually the original generators at Niagra Falls were 2 phase.

2 Phase Power Systems and Two-Phase Electric Solutions

There are still a few places (I believe Philadelphia and possibly Boston) that have some older 2 phase generating systems. This subject has come up a few times on industrial bulletin boards. Some machine shops and industrial production shops have had to face the unique situation of having to modify equipment because the power available in their area is 2 phase only.

[bluepill]

Phase confusion can arise in center-tap transformer applications.

This excerpt from Wikipedia gives a good explanation of Standard 240 volt AC.


Since there are two live conductors in the system, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "two-phase". The two live or "hot" conductors waveforms are offset by a half-cycle, or 180 degrees offset, when measured against the neutral wire. To avoid confusion with split-phase motor start applications, it is appropriate to call this power distribution system a 3-wire, single-phase, mid-point neutral system.

[mrschwarz]

Good one. Didn't know about 2-phase.

[Nuge]

Originally Posted by bluepill

It is appropriate to call this power distribution system a 3-wire, single-phase, mid-point neutral system.

THAT'S a mouth full!! What ever happened to KISS?? Maybe split-phase? At least it SHOULD be identified by it's current capacity - 100 Amp...

[mrschwarz]

It's only 100 amps of 120 volts. It's 50 amps of 240, which is how the circuit is wired.