| Onan Wiring Question [message #220688] |
Sat, 31 August 2013 15:24  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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I took a look at the wires sticking out of the Onan and I can figure most of them out, the ones with the big terminals on them are obviously battery cables, the one with the multiple connector on the end goes to the remote start/stop switch.
Looking at http://www.bdub.net/wirediagrams/1975-120vac-living-area.pdf, the AC power stuff looks simple enough.
The drawing shows two AC power wires, one #6 white and one #6 black. And of course, I have three white wires, one larger than the other two, where I should have a black wire and a white wire of the same size.
Am I going to have to wait until I get the Onan running to check voltage to figure out which wire is which, or does somebody have a clue for me? If I had to guess, I would venture that the two smaller wires are the 120VAC leads and the bigger one is the neutral/ground. Am I close?
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| Re: Onan Wiring Question [message #220720 is a reply to message #220688] |
Sat, 31 August 2013 22:50  |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| A Hamilto wrote on Sat, 31 August 2013 13:24 |
... or does somebody have a clue for me? If I had to guess, I would venture that the two smaller wires are the 120VAC leads and the bigger one is the neutral/ground. Am I close?
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The Onan AC connections to the GM installed 50amp plug are the both "hots" to the output side of the circuit breaker on top of the generator. The ground AND neutral are connected together (this the only place these two are connected together) and connected to the other side of the generator output. If you do not understand, please get someone who does... this is important to get correct.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Onan Wiring Question [message #220721 is a reply to message #220720] |
Sat, 31 August 2013 23:19 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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| Mike Miller wrote on Sat, 31 August 2013 22:50 |
The Onan AC connections to the GM installed 50amp plug are the both "hots" to the output side of the circuit breaker on top of the generator. The ground AND neutral are connected together (this the only place these two are connected together) and connected to the other side of the generator output. If you do not understand, please get someone who does... this is important to get correct.
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At the end of the multi-conductor cable extending from the Onan, I have THREE wires, all white, and one larger gauge than the others. Not TWO as is shown on the diagram, and as you describe. Looking at this photo, there are three splice connections in the path between the Onan and the 50A receptacle. I am pretty sure my compartment looked like this at one time.
http://www.palmbeachgmc.com/images/onan0196.jpg
I was hoping someone knew enough about it for me to make those three connections without reverse engineering what is going on at the Onan end.
If nobody has seen this before, no big deal. I was just hoping someone that knows could save me some time and trouble.
If no one can hazard a good guess, I will putz around the Onan and figure it out.
I know enough about electrical stuff that nobody is going to get hurt by electricity - I will get that part right. There is a much greater probability that, between the storage box and the compartment, the Onan will fall and break someone's foot or something...
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| Re: Onan Wiring Question [message #220742 is a reply to message #220688] |
Sun, 01 September 2013 10:15 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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You should sort it first with an Ohm meter for continuity before you get it running. Hot (black usually) goes from breaker to the 50a female 14-50R and should go to hot X leg and jump to Y with 6" or so loop of same wire. Neutral (white other flat pin) and ground green round pin are tied at the generator as mentioned already. So both X and Y are same wave form when on generator. When in shore power X and Y are on different phases so there is 240v between X and Y, but all circuits in the GMC are X to N or Y to N so only 120V are utilized. Once running the receptacle should meter 120V X to N and G, and 120V Y to N and G. Metering X to Y should be zero though at 120V from N.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Onan Wiring Question [message #220757 is a reply to message #220742] |
Sun, 01 September 2013 14:35 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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| JohnL455 wrote on Sun, 01 September 2013 10:15 |
You should sort it first with an Ohm meter for continuity before you get it running. Hot (black usually) goes from breaker to the 50a female 14-50R and should go to hot X leg and jump to Y with 6" or so loop of same wire. Neutral (white other flat pin) and ground green round pin are tied at the generator as mentioned already. So both X and Y are same wave form when on generator. When in shore power X and Y are on different phases so there is 240v between X and Y, but all circuits in the GMC are X to N or Y to N so only 120V are utilized. Once running the receptacle should meter 120V X to N and G, and 120V Y to N and G. Metering X to Y should be zero though at 120V from N.
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That's sort of the plan. I will work out where the white wires currently connect inside the Onan and then wire the hot one(s) to the black wire to the 50A receptacle, and the neutral/ground wire(s) to the white wire to the 50A receptacle. Inside the 50A receptacle, the black will be jumpered to both hot leads and the white will be jumpered to both the neutral and ground, as shown on the schematic.
Based on the schematic, I only need a two-conductor wire from the junction box at the bottom of the Onan compartment to the 50A receptacle. The photo above shows three wires, but since I am buying the wire, I can do what I want.
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| Re: Onan Wiring Question [message #220770 is a reply to message #220688] |
Sun, 01 September 2013 16:29 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Technically it would be better to run black, white and green back to the Onan and bond it there. Orherwise the ground will be carrying current and there may be a few volts there from series resistance. Neutral is supposed to carry current and ground as a safety.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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