Generator and AC Power System

General Information

The unit is wired for 110/220 VAC power, like a house. Like a Recreational Vehicle, it has a transfer switch to select AC power from the generator or commercial AC power. The individual appliances run on 110VAC, none of the appliances require 220VAC. The power requirements of this unit are large, and cannot be supported by an ordinary 15 amp outlet.

The generator is a 7500 Watt diesel unit, located in an outside compartment on the left side of the truck behind the front wheel. It draws diesel fuel from the same tank that the truck engine does.

You may need to run the generator while driving to keep food cold in the refrigerators. While the generator will not need to be run 24 hours a day, it will need to be run enough to keep the refrigerators cold, the hot water hot, and the batteries charged.

Plugging the unit into the wall
There is a heavy power cable in the outside left rear compartment. This uses a special 50 amp, 110/220VAC plug, like those used by larger RVs, NEMA 14-50. If the unit is plugged into the wall, the transfer switch will automatically select commercial power, and there is no reason to run the generator. In the field, it is unlikely that you will have access to appropriate power wiring or plugs, so you will need to run the generator to power the refrigerators and other appliances. Note that there is an adaptor box in case it is necessary to run the truck using an external generator.
AC Plug

Generator Oil

The oil for the generator should be checked regularly, including during long-term operations. Open the generator compartment and use the dipstick.
The generator oil should be changed every 250 hours or every 6 months, whichever comes first.

Starting the generator
If the generator is cold, you will need to preheat the glow plugs in the engine before the generator will start. In order to do this, open the generator compartment on the left side of the truck behind the front wheel, depress the glow plug button for 30 seconds, and then push the start button on the same control panel that has the glow plug button.
If the generator is warm, you will not need to preheat the glow plugs, and you can push the start button on the dash or the start button on the generator itself.

The transfer switch will gradually turn on the AC power to the unit, to prevent electrical surges, over the first two minutes of operation.

Note the generator 110VAC circuit breaker next to the preheat button. If it is tripped the generator will run, but no 110VAC will be provided.

Generator panel

Stopping the generator
In order to avoid damage due to electrical surges, turn off the generator only by pushing the red button on the generator control panel on the truck dashboard. This starts a two minute sequence, in which power is shut down in phases, and finally the generator will turn off. This process is controlled by the transfer switch in the left rear outside compartment. Generator Control on Dash

What runs on 110VAC?
The following appliances or equipment require 110VAC.
    Hot Water Heater
    Refrigerators (two)
    Light in front of kitchen (one)
    Fan on ceiling (one)
    Convection ovens (two). (Also requires propane).
    Outside lights (two switches, each controls two lights).
   Battery charger for kitchen batteries.
110 Volt VAC light and fan switches
Light and Fan switches
on right side of truck above counter.

Circuit Breakers
The unit has circuit breakers in the left rear outside compartment, similar to those found in most houses. These are labeled to show which breaker controls which appliance. These can be reset by turning off and then back on. If the breaker trips off repeatedly, do not use the appliance, and report the problem so that it can be fixed. 110 VAC circuit breakers

Electrical Outlets.

The unit has standard 15 amp 110 VAC electrical outlets inside and outside.

110 VAC Troubleshooting

The unit has a small nite light as an AC power indicator. If the night light is not on when the generator is running or it is plugged into the wall, the unit may not be receiving 110 VAC. (However, remember that it takes a couple of minutes from when the generator starts to when all the AC power is turned on). Check the circuit breaker on the generator (if running), check that the unit is correctly plugged in (if plugged in), and check the other circuit breakers in the left rear outside compartment.

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RAF 7/28/06