Installation of a generator in an RV can range from; throwing it and a fuel can in the back of the truck, to major modifications to a storage area and the primary wiring in the coach.
Portable generators usually travel in the back of the truck or in a storage area. After arriving at the campsite, you place the generator near the shore cord, chain lock it in place, fuel it, plug it in, run it and enjoy (or protect yourself from the neighbors if it’s noisy).
Some people like to permanently mount their portables either in a storage compartment (on a slide out tray hopefully) or mount it on the outside of the coach, say on the front hitch or the rear bumper. Security should be a prerequisite along with mounting to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the coach. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you – dead. If not dead, it will cause a headache that will make you wish you were dead. I strongly recommend that you get a carbon monoxide detector if you have an RV generator. You might also want to investigate a product call a Gen-Turi. It mounts to the side of the RV and vents exhaust gases above the roof.
Built in units are placed in a specially modified storage compartment and connected to a source of fuel, battery power and the coach electrical system. Some manufacturers are building gensets that mount totally on the rear bumper and look like a tool box installation. If you are going to build one into the coach, get some friends that know carpentry, plumbing, wiring and acoustical insulation, you’re going to need them. The simplest electrical connection method is to wire the generator to a receptacle in the shore cord compartment. When you want to use the generator, unplug the shore cord from the campground power and plug it into the receptacle, start the generator and enjoy. We’re going to talk about Automatic Transfer Switches in part 9 so hold off on the installation until then.
Generator Jim