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Old 01-08-2022, 02:31 PM   #1
Hazex4
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Brown Out when generator connected

I have a 2021 Montana 3120RL. When I connect to shore power whether 50 or 30 amp service my voltage reading is normal at 115-120. When I connect 15 amp house power I get good voltage readings. When we're dry camping the 3000W inverter shows good readings. I have 2 Honda 2000 generators, if I connect either of them individually I get 65volts and a Brown Out warning. I get the same bad reading if I connect them in parallel, this configuration gets me to 30amps. I borrowed my neighbors 4000W/30amp generator and got the same bad readings with Brown Out. There were no loads on any of the generators when connected. I took my Honda generators to the dealership and they both check 4.0. Anyone else have this problem?
 
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Old 01-08-2022, 03:23 PM   #2
mlh
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Do you have a transfer switch? If so that is the first place I would look.
I’ll bet these generators are putting out 124 volts. So I would rule out the generators.
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Old 01-08-2022, 03:54 PM   #3
Helpful Dad
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Brown Out on Generator

Are all of the generators, inverter generators (quiet)? Is there an onboard EMS, Surge suppressor? Could be a floating neutral issue.
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Old 01-08-2022, 05:05 PM   #4
Daryles
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For house electrical receptacles,
You get
Ground to hot 120vac
Ground to neutral 0vac
Neutral to hot 120vac.

I measured the same voltage on a 2000w Go Power Inverter that you did.
The hot side of the receptacle read 67vac.
The neutral side of the receptacle read 67vac.
Then I read between the hot and the neutral and got 124vac.
I checked my Champion 4000W inverter generator.
I got the same readings on the 20A receptacle AND the 30A RV receptacle.
BUT plugged into the rig, all the appliances work fine (except for the 1450W Whirlpool microwave).
All they need is the potential difference of 120vac to work.
NOTE: I do NOT have a bonding plug.
A bonding plug connects ground to neutral. You can buy one or make one if you need to have one.
I do not in my case.

I think I know what is going on in your situation, but to be sure,
Measure the receptacle output of the Honda generator.
Check
Ground to hot =
Ground to neutral =
Hot to neutral =

Do the same thing on your parallel kit with the generators connected and running.

An excellent group for RV electrical advice is the Facebook group
RVELECTRICITY.
Mike Sokol is one of the RV industries leading electrical technicians.
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Old 01-08-2022, 07:11 PM   #5
Hazex4
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Thanks for your responses! The first thing I checked was ground by truly driving a grounding stake into mother earth and attaching ground wire to gen, no changes. Next was transfer switch and it checked good. Both my Honda gens are inverter generators putting out clean AC. I had the dealership check floating neutral when I took them in and he said they were good. But now I'm suspect after reading Daryles post. His trouble shooting numbers look very familiar. I'll test the gen receptacles myself and the 30 amp parallel output. I hope it's that easy!! Thanks again
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Old 01-08-2022, 07:29 PM   #6
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I would suspect the dogbone you are using to connect the genny to the 50 amp cord coming into your rig.
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Old 01-08-2022, 09:00 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazex4 View Post
....I have 2 Honda 2000 generators, if I connect either of them individually I get 65volts and a Brown Out warning.....
What is a "Brown Out" warning and where does it come from. I am not familiar with such a thing.
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Old 01-08-2022, 10:57 PM   #8
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Ok,
I finally found the answer I was looking for.

This article best describes what you and I are experiencing.
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...nding-bonding/
The video is quit good too.

These articles repeat much of the same information. Some of them specifically mention the Honda 2000 generator and parallel kit.

https://www.rvtravel.com/?s=Bonding+plug+

https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...nding-rvt-976/

This one mentions the voltage readings on the receptacle of some Chinese generators (about half way down).
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...onding-basics/

This one also mentions the voltage readings on a generator receptacle
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...ing-part-deux/
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Old 01-10-2022, 11:47 AM   #9
Hazex4
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Thanks again Daryles, I'll digest these articles they look spot on!
For Carl, a Brown Out, at least in my scenario is when there's a reduction in standard voltage. I should be reading 115 to 120volts when AC power is connected. When I connect my generator I only get 65v which, of course, is a huge reduction and can cause damage. My display shows a Brown Out msg alerting to the condition. I'm learning all this the hard way!
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Old 01-10-2022, 12:51 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazex4 View Post
.....My display shows a Brown Out msg alerting to the condition....
Thanks! I think I understand the Brown Out concept it was the message. What device are you using that displays that message? Not something my VOMs do.
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Old 01-13-2022, 10:53 AM   #11
Hazex4
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The display is from Precision Circuits called a Power Control System Central Monitor Panel (PCS). Works pretty good managing all your power inputs.
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Old 01-13-2022, 11:36 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazex4 View Post
The display is from Precision Circuits called a Power Control System Central Monitor Panel (PCS). Works pretty good managing all your power inputs.
Thanks! I was unaware of this system. It is something I need to investigate further.
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Old 01-13-2022, 03:46 PM   #13
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Haxex4,
Do you have the Legacy and Super Solar upgrades?

The Super Solar is a unique system and has some great upgrades.

The brown-out error is solved by the bonding plug.
Ask me how I know... ��

Ron
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Old 01-16-2022, 01:43 PM   #14
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I agree it maybe the floating neutral issue. You need to bond the neutral of the generator to generator frame. Check some you tube videos for further information
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Old 01-16-2022, 02:02 PM   #15
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A simple test if it’s the bonded neutral issue (which Ron and I both know about) from experience. Take a plug, run a piece of 12 ga wire between the neutral and ground on the plug and insert into one of the outlets on the generator. You can purchase a bonded neutral plug or make your own. EMS systems find the open neutral and say it’s a fault. Let us know what you find as a solution.
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Old 01-27-2022, 05:59 AM   #16
DebNJim B
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles View Post
For house electrical receptacles,
You get
Ground to hot 120vac
Ground to neutral 0vac
Neutral to hot 120vac.

I measured the same voltage on a 2000w Go Power Inverter that you did.
The hot side of the receptacle read 67vac.
The neutral side of the receptacle read 67vac.
Then I read between the hot and the neutral and got 124vac.
I checked my Champion 4000W inverter generator.
I got the same readings on the 20A receptacle AND the 30A RV receptacle.
BUT plugged into the rig, all the appliances work fine (except for the 1450W Whirlpool microwave).
All they need is the potential difference of 120vac to work.
NOTE: I do NOT have a bonding plug.
A bonding plug connects ground to neutral. You can buy one or make one if you need to have one.
I do not in my case.

I think I know what is going on in your situation, but to be sure,
Measure the receptacle output of the Honda generator.
Check
Ground to hot =
Ground to neutral =
Hot to neutral =

Do the same thing on your parallel kit with the generators connected and running.

An excellent group for RV electrical advice is the Facebook group
RVELECTRICITY.
Mike Sokol is one of the RV industries leading electrical technicians.
Your 4000W gen should run a microwave. I had the same issue with my Champion 3400. All worked fine but the microwave overloaded it. Connected my EMS and it showed an open ground. Made a G-N plug and the problem went away.
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Old 01-27-2022, 06:34 AM   #17
mlh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DebNJim B View Post
Your 4000W gen should run a microwave. I had the same issue with my Champion 3400. All worked fine but the microwave overloaded it. Connected my EMS and it showed an open ground. Made a G-N plug and the problem went away.

Let me make sure I have this right. To make a G N plug you get a male plug and connect the ground to the neutral connector. And that is it.
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Old 01-27-2022, 08:56 AM   #18
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Good Article

https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...onding-basics/
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Old 01-27-2022, 10:42 AM   #19
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