RoadPheasant Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I have a 2019 Elite with solar which I use almost exclusively for boondocking. The solar usually keeps up with my minimum power requirements, but on the last trip I needed additional battery charging during cold and overcast weather. I discovered that my generator was not providing any charge. Generator is a new Honda 2200i. Tested it by running a portable hair dryer and it revs to power the appliance. Tested the power cord and it is functioning perfectly. Shore power (at home) charges the batteries efficiently. But still nothing when connected to the generator. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators mossemi Posted December 4, 2019 Moderators Share Posted December 4, 2019 Do you have a neutral bonding plug plugged into your generator? If not, the surge suppressor with block the incoming current. See the following post for more information. http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/generator-use-with-hard-wired-surge-protector/ Mike 1 Mike and Krunch Lutz, FL 2017 LEII #193 “the dog house” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overland Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) So does the generator provide power to your 120 outlets when it’s running, with the inverter off? Like Mike said, it could be a grounding issue. The test would be if the surge protector shuts the generator off from the 120 as well as the charger. Edited December 4, 2019 by Overland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewK Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 If you haven't done so already, I would check the AC breaker to the far left, on your power center under the dinette and make sure it is not tripped. It controls the charger/controller. Also, If you have two 30 amp shore power connections on your trailer, try the other one. Perhaps you transfer switch is not working. 1 Andrew 2019 Legacy Elite II 2018 BMW x5 35d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Judy Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Your Honda probably needs a neutral to ground bonding plug. Then the built in surge protector will let in the juice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadPheasant Posted December 4, 2019 Author Share Posted December 4, 2019 Thanks to mossemi, Overland, AndrewK and Ken_Judy for the quick and specific replies. Will follow-up on the suggestions tomorrow and let you know if the issue is resolved. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Davies Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) You can temporarily bypass your surge suppressor (slide the small switch on the unit itself) to see if the generator connects. If it does and runs normally, then you definitely need the grounding plug. This should not be done normally since it eliminates all the protection features . John Davies Spokane WA Edited December 4, 2019 by John E Davies 1 SOLD 07/23 "Mouse": 2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraniteStaters Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I was able to build one of these quite easily. I had the end of a 12/2 cable that had a 3 pronged plug that worked perfectly. There was a discussion at the rally about doing this by someone who sat at the same table and it revolved around whether this is a good idea or not. The contention was that by doing this workaround it was somehow defeating a protection. The theory was if it was okay to do this, wouldn't Honda offer one. I didn't do the research when we came back from the rally, but did test that all worked well with my Honda i2000u inverter/generator. David Caswell and Paula Saltmarsh Hull 509 "The Swallow" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadPheasant Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 “Rolled my own” neutral bonding plug as per suggestions and (presto!) problem solved. Thanks to the helpful members who offered their advice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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