Your last generator Maintenance Run

[daugen]

RV's are pretty good about separating "shore power" and internal power, usually you have to throw a mechanical lever to block out one power leg or the other. Same with boats. I'd buy a cheap clamp meter that measures amperage draw and do some basic diagnostics.
However, having had similar issues on a boat in remote country marinas, I'd guess your park voltage was low. It happens all the time when the parks are full, and now it's winter in Florida and everyone is down there all lined up next to each other running their two to three a/c units full time.
I learned to carry a meter with me on my boat and rv and I checked campground power every time.

I've seen marina voltage drop under 100. Useless, burn up your a/c compressors. Several times I had to turn my generator back on at the dock, at least while my wife was cooking dinner. At home my Generac 22kw kicks out 117V. That's about what my Onan boat generator produced too.

It's when the voltage drops to 110 and below that your microwave is the first to complain. Been there, done this.
AC compressor motors heat up but your microwave gets weird, I think, well because it's a microwave machine...

I'd want to know powerpole voltage and amperage draw on the rv.
But Alan I'm guessing your Dad has the jammed packed campground blues.

 

[daugen]

There seems to be a bit of a range on what folks consider "normal" electricity voltage.
Should I get my Generac adjusted to put out higher voltage than 117VAC? How is that tweaked?

 

[RoyJackson]

Deleted

 

[3930dave]

Excellent points about voltage d.

Alan - just a general (obvious, but can't be stated too often) PSA - The tester I mentioned is pretty foolproof, and is hard to get into trouble with. Daugen has some great points about load and verifying voltage; some form of basic DMM is a useful test tool. None of us know your Dad - think carefully about him testing live AC in a more intimate matter. Those of us who do those tests sometimes become a little too casual in our thinking.... certain people should not be testing live AC.

One VP of marketing borrowed a Fluke meter from our lab group years ago. He returned it, with the insides basically turned to charcoal. That was likely higher voltage that 120vac..... still...... the point there is -> I have a lot of faith in the safety features built into a Fluke (pro quality) tool, but not so much in a $25 discount meter. I've used both levels of tools safely and successfully (so far ), but, mileage can vary.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

There seems to be a bit of a range on what folks consider "normal" electricity voltage.
Should I get my Generac adjusted to put out higher voltage than 117VAC? How is that tweaked?

grs likely knows......

I'd have to check exact range spec, but myself, I wouldn't worry about 117.

Rgds, D.

 

[grsthegreat]

grs likely knows......

I'd have to check exact range spec, but myself, I wouldn't worry about 117.

Rgds, D.

117 is fine. Public utilities can provide power for residential between 115 to 120 and its considered normal. You can adjust the generac evolution generators to provide a higher voltage thru the dealer menu options, but i wouldnt do it. 117 is just fine.

 

[ultrarunner]

I see it vary a lot... Tahoe was always low for many years... had to buy a Buck/Boost to raise voltage from 105 to get the TV to work back in the day.

At the hospital... voltage building wide is 122 to 123 volts.

 

[Alan W.]

Talked to dad again today. And I actually paid attention this time. He says he thinks now that its a problem with something in the switching from line power to gen. He says park power does fluctuate some but thats not the problem. He does maintenance for the park owner to have something to do. The microwave that went bad was actually bad. He did say that the gen would not produce power when the bad microwave was plugged in. As soon as it was unplugged it would produce power. Out of my realm.
Thanks to all for their input.

 

[goeduck]

There seems to be a bit of a range on what folks consider "normal" electricity voltage.
Should I get my Generac adjusted to put out higher voltage than 117VAC? How is that tweaked?

You might want to check your meter against your regular power to double check. If your regular power measures in that range on that meter, yes, you are good to go.

Not to split hairs, but I have seen meters that are not accurate.

 

[3930dave]

Talked to dad again today. And I actually paid attention this time. He says he thinks now that its a problem with something in the switching from line power to gen. He says park power does fluctuate some but thats not the problem. He does maintenance for the park owner to have something to do. The microwave that went bad was actually bad. He did say that the gen would not produce power when the bad microwave was plugged in. As soon as it was unplugged it would produce power. Out of my realm.
Thanks to all for their input.

RV's can be "fun" to diagnose. Compared to regular production cars/trucks, the wiring is bespoke (custom), and depending who has been in to it earlier, not even as it left the coach factory.

I try and start with the simple/common factors, and work up from there..... sounds like your Dad is isolating the problem :thumbsup:.

Rgds, D.