EG4 6000XP 120v AC grid connection to 120/240v L1 and L2 input

[Wildcard442]

So I have an EG4 6000XP, in my RV 5th wheel camper, wired into my 240v 50amp receiver. That 240v 50amp input (shore power) is connected to the inverter input and works great when I have 240v 50amp input / shore power.

However, I am looking for something when sometimes I only have 120v 15amp shore power.

According to the inverter specs, it needs:
NOMINAL AC (input) VOLTAGE 120/240VAC (L1/L2/N required)

So, I am assuming it just needs 2 legs of 120v and it does not need to be 240v split phase. I am guessing the phasing of L1 and L2 doesn't matter, otherwise they would say so? but who knows, they recently changed the document from saying 120v/240v input to saying it needs L1 and L2. I bought it because the documents said 120v input would work, but that is not true.

So I am trying to work out a way to plug in 120v shore power (without needing a charger / chargeverter,etc - I have one and will use it as a last resort, just looking for something to use the existing wiring I've done).

Would something like this work to give me 120v L1 and L2 like the specs say it needs:

This is my attempt to do a wiring diagram of splicing two plugs together, please bear with me :



I don't need much amperage, the solar does quite a bit of work, but having a little bit of AC / grid / shore power can help keep the batteries topped up. Again, I do have a battery charger, but I am looking for that utilizes the existing wiring I've done, rather than running new wiring again for the charger.

What do you all think?

Thanks!

 

[timselectric]

So, I am assuming it just needs 2 legs of 120v and it does not need to be 240v split phase.

Incorrect

I am guessing the phasing of L1 and L2 doesn't matter,

There is no phasing. Split-phase is single phase.

otherwise they would say so

They do

According to the inverter specs, it needs:
NOMINAL AC (input) VOLTAGE 120/240VAC (L1/L2/N required)

Would something like this work to give me 120v L1 and L2 like the specs say it needs

No
Because that's not what it says

What do you all think?

Sorry, but it won't work.

 

[Wildcard442]

Thanks for the feedback.

There is no phasing. Split-phase is single phase.

I'm pretty sure you're wrong about this. Split phase power incorporates a 180-degree phase shift between the two hot wires, while single phase power does not exhibit any phase shift

Let me know if my understanding of this is incorrect.

Where in the specs does it say it needs SPLIT PHASE? And if that is an undocumented requirement, let me know, because SPLIT PHASE is completely different than single phase. I think with single phase this could work, split phase is a whole other ball game and I'll just can the idea.

Thanks!

 

[timselectric]

Let me know if my understanding of this is incorrect.

It is
Split-phase is 240v single phase with a center tapped neutral.

Where in the specs does it say it needs SPLIT PHASE?

From your post

According to the inverter specs, it needs:
NOMINAL AC (input) VOLTAGE 120/240VAC (L1/L2/N required)

120/240vac is split-phase.

 

[robbob2112]

It is
Split-phase is 240v single phase with a center tapped neutral.

From your post

120/240vac is split-phase.

You should listen to Tim, he knows what he is talking about. Everything he has posted here is correct.

 

[PotusGobbleBottom]

There is no phasing. Split-phase is single phase.

 

[timselectric]

I wouldn't beat it, if it were to stay dead. lol

 

[Wildcard442]

It wouldn't come back if they had the documentation correct. Originally it only said it needed 120 - 240v input. Bought it under those pretenses and then they said it wouldn't work like that. I'm highly motivated to find a solution other than sorry you are SOL.

Sorry for the dumb question(s), but not sorry

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Wildcard442]

@EG4_Jared perhaps you could chime in? Thanks!

 

[timselectric]

It wouldn't come back if they had the documentation correct. Originally it only said it needed 120 - 240v input. Bought it under those pretenses and then they said it wouldn't work like that. I'm highly motivated to find a solution other than sorry you are SOL.

Sorry for the dumb question(s), but not sorry

Thanks for the feedback

The dead horse comment wasn't about the 6kxp.
It was about split-phase.
The misunderstanding is not your fault. There is too much misinformation about split-phase on the internet.

 

[timselectric]

Sorry for the dumb question(s),

Technically, all questions are "dumb" .
A question is a request for information that you don't have.

 

[PotusGobbleBottom]

EG4 Chargeverter to the rescue AGAIN. Look it up, it will help you do what you want indirectly.

 

[Quattrohead]

A 6000xp will not work with 120v input.
Gavin showed us on YouTube

 

[Wildcard442]

EG4 Chargeverter to the rescue AGAIN. Look it up, it will help you do what you want indirectly.

Yup, I've got the old charger, which would work. Less than ideal, but it might be what I end up going with.

A 6000xp will not work with 120v input.
Gavin showed us on YouTube

Do you have a link to that video?

 

[Wildcard442]

Technically, all questions are "dumb" .
A question is a request for information that you don't have.

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it

 

[Ottox]

He has other videos showing voltages from different grounding types (corner vs center I think is the term), but I think this video helps explain single phase pretty well.

 

[littleharbor2]

What about running an autotransformer between the 120vac source and the L1/L2 input?

 

[EG4_Jared]

@EG4_Jared perhaps you could chime in? Thanks!

I agree with Tim. A chargeverter would most likely be your best option here. However, having an autotransformer may work as well.

 

[MidwestBest]

im in the same boat but i knew it wouldnt work that is why i kept my refurbished eg4 3000W to use as a charger. just turn it on if i need to charge with my 120v gen and i didnt have to spend almost the same price on a chargeverter.. plan on putting it on a golf cart so it will charge it and double as back up power or power source in the field.

 

[timselectric]

Yes a transformer will work, but it's not as efficient as a charger.
Plus it's heavy and you have to find room for it. (With air flow for cooling)
It would step up the 120v to 240v and provide a center tapped neutral.
But keep in mind that the input current (amperage) will be twice as much as the output current. So if you feed it with 30a of 120v, you will only get 15a at 240v out of it. (Minus efficiency losses)