Generator Shore Power Cord

[stevensuf]

Got myself a little 2kw suitcase generator, can i just hook the shore power cable into or should neutral and ground should be joined in the power cable?

[AnchorageGuy]

The Honda generator, which we have, will show a faint reverse polarity light when running your shore panel from your power cord, which can be plugged directly into the generator. If the light bothers you, cut off and ol extension cord, jump the neutral and ground, and plug it into the other outlet. The light will go out. But with the light on it does no harm. We and many, many others have been using the Hondas for years and just ignore the light. Chuck

[stevensuf]

cheers for that

[zeehag]

never had a problem with mine but then my electrical issues were not with proper grounds inm y boat...might wanna check that issue.

[AnchorageGuy]

Has nothing to do with the grounds in the boat. Just a minor issue with these generators. Chuck

[zeehag]

funny, mine never did that what you describe at all. is now 7 yrs old and still going. doesnt charge with 12 v cord but is perfect every where else. only had to unstick the valves one time so far.......

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

Has nothing to do with the grounds in the boat. Just a minor issue with these generators. Chuck

I think it does. Ground and neutral should be linked at the generator but NOT when running on shore power. The Honda's don't do that.

[mjwarner]

I have a Honda 2000 that we used extensively in the past. We have never had a reverse polarity light come on, dim or otherwise when we used it. We always plugged the shore cord into it to power the boat. Hmmmm.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

I think it does. Ground and neutral should be linked at the generator but NOT when running on shore power. The Honda's don't do that.

Which is what I said. Zeehag indicated that the boats ground needs to be checked. Chuck

[zeehag]

mine never did reverse polarity either inside my boat nor in machine named honda and i8 had mine 6 or 7 yrs--i fergit how long. and i have used it in 2 different boats, both my own.

[AnchorageGuy]

The Honda generator does not tie the neutral wire to the ground wire, so the neutral floats. The reverse polarity indicator lights up when you get a significant voltage difference between the neutral and the ground. You can make an extension plug with a jumper between the ground (green) and the neutral (white) wires, and the light will go out or you can jump the neutral and ground internally in the genset.This happens in about 90% of the cases. You may not see the light on because it is so faint. Your reverse polarity light might not be working. You might not have a reverse polarity light. You might be part of the 10% that does not have this problem. But anyone considering using one for the first time should be aware of it. We have it on our current trawler and it showed up on our Mariner 40 Ketch. Just about every cruiser we have met that uses one has had the issue. Chuck

[bill good]

I believe joining neutral to earth at the supply (generator) is to ensure earth leakage devices work. So if you want that protection then you have to join them. But that lead is only good for when you are using the generator & cannot be used as a shore lead.

regards Bill

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by bill good

I believe joining neutral to earth at the supply (generator) is to ensure earth leakage devices work. So if you want that protection then you have to join them. But that lead is only good for when you are using the generator & cannot be used as a shore lead.
regards Bill

Indeed!

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

You can make an extension plug with a jumper between the ground (green) and the neutral (white) wires, and the light will go out or you can jump the neutral and ground internally in the genset.

Jumping the neutral and ground in the genset is a better idea, as it avoids the possibility of pressing a modified shore power cable into service at an inappropriate time.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Jumping the neutral and ground in the genset is a better idea, as it avoids the possibility of pressing a modified shore power cable into service at an inappropriate time.

Very true. Our 2000 has a 30 amp twist outlet and a 20 amp three prong next to it. With these units, many of our friends use the modified three prong plug since the shore power cord is a separate outlet and can not be confused. My preference is the internal connection, but we actually don't use either. We have used a 1,000 for about 7 years will no ill affects so we are not concerned with the 2,000. Also the generator is not really used a lot. Chuck