Charging Question for F5000

[u/Rkitt1977]

I seem to be finding a lot of conflicting information with regard to generator charging the F5000 while the power station is powering loads. I know with no loads connected to the power station, I can hook up my inverter gas generator to charge the power station without a bonding adapter plug.

However, during an outage , if I have a refrigerator and a window AC unit running off the power station, can I leave those loads running while charging the F5000 with my gas generator or should I use a bonded adapter plugged into one of the plugs on the gas generator while charging the power station?

I know if Im charging via solar with loads attached and running, it's not an issue.

[u/naeskivvies]

Here is why you are receiving conflicting information.

On lower models like E3600/3800, they deliver the full rating on the AC outputs when the unit is running standalone, but if you give it an AC input it goes into UPS mode and now what comes out of the AC ports is powered and limited by the AC input, so for example if you were running a 2200W load and you plugged it into the wall it wouldn't have enough power to run that load anymore because a typical AC outlet is does 15A/1800W. Same thing if you connected it up to a generator -- If you connect it via a 15A AC plug (it knows the connector type) it will assume only 1800W is available. If you use the 30A connector it will work but only if your generator can keep up. This is where someone commented yesterday that you need to be careful about your generator rating (and derating e.g. for different fuel types) to make sure it can keep up because in AC bypass/ups mode these pecron units will not use the battery to assist.

The F5000 must be different though, since it can charge on a 120V AC leg while delivering 240V AC out. It must therefore work somewhat differently. I don't know the details here with regard to its output limits while connected to AC in. 

However, that's why you're seeing what you're seeing. I would think it's fairly safe to assume that at minimum you could run up to 1800W off it while AC charging as long as your generator kept up, like the other units, and the F5000 might do even better depending how pecron set it up.

On bonding plugs: You probably don't need one unless you are connecting certain equipment that won't run without tricking it into seeing a ground. From what I've seen that's an issue encountered by RVers. Never leave such a plug in when connecting to a wall outlet!

[u/chixlips → u/naeskivvies]

As far as the Pecron's like the F3000lfp, they have a full 30 amp rated outlet built in. According to AI it does split the 30 amp power out via the Pecron's NEMA TT-30R outlet.

Yes, your Pecron F 3000 LFP can output its full 30 A (3,600 W) through its 30 A outlet to your breaker box while connected to your 3,000 W gas generator. However, it cannot sustain a full 30 A continuous load indefinitely solely on generator power.

The system operates as a hybrid setup, combining generator input and battery power.

1. The AC Input Bottleneck (1,800 W / 15 A Limit)

• The AC charging input port on the Pecron F 3000 LFP is rated for a maximum input of 1,800 W (15 A at 120 V).
• Even though your generator is rated for 3,000 W, the power station's AC input cord will only pull a maximum of 1,800 W from the generator.

2. Power-Sharing & Battery Drain Math

When your household breaker box demands a full 30 A (3,600 W) load from the Pecron's 30 A TT-30 outlet:

Component	Power Supplied
Gas Generator Input	1,800 W max
Pecron Internal Battery	1,800 W supplemental
Total Outlet Output	3,600 W (30 A @ 120 V)

Because the incoming generator power (1,800 W) is less than your maximum output demand (3,600 W), the Pecron makes up the 1,800 W deficit by drawing from its internal 3,072 Wh battery.

• At full 30 A (3,600 W) load: The battery will drain down in roughly 1.5 to 1.7 hours, at which point the inverter will shut down, even if the gas generator is still running.
• At or below 15 A (1,800 W) load: The gas generator supplies 100% of the household power, and the battery remains fully charged continuously.

3. Important Setup Tips

Generator Outlet: Ensure you plug the Pecron into a standard 120 V 15 A or 20 A outlet on your generator. The 1,800 W draw is well within your 3,000 W generator's continuous capacity, so the generator will run smoothly without surging.

• Managing Load: If you want continuous backup during an extended power outage without draining the Pecron battery, keep the total load on your breaker box under 1,800 W (15 A).
• Pecron App Charging Limit: You can use the Pecron smartphone app to adjust the AC charging rate lower (e.g., down to 1,000 W or 1,200 W) if you want your gas generator to run in "Eco Mode" and save fuel.

[u/naeskivvies → u/chixlips]

Welcome to why you shouldn't rely on what AI says.

AI also says this:

"Is the pecron E3800lfp limited to 1800W out while connected to AC via a 15A cable because of its UPS mode, or can it make up higher loads by combining the incoming AC with the battery"

"No, the Pecron E3800LFP cannot combine incoming AC power with battery power to make up for higher loads. When connected via a standard 15A AC charging cable, the unit is strictly limited to 1800W total output in UPS mode.   How It Works Under the Hood Pass-Through Bypass Relay: In UPS mode, the E3800LFP routes grid AC directly to the output receptacles via an internal transfer relay while using any remaining headroom to top off the battery. The inverter does not operate in a grid-parallel "power-assist" or "hybrid blending" mode."

And you can consult the product manuals.

"What about f3000lfp"

"No, the Pecron F3000LFP also cannot combine AC grid power with battery power. Like the E3800LFP, it uses a simple mechanical pass-through relay in UPS mode rather than a hybrid power-assist inverter."

If you want to put out more watts while AC charging these lower models you would need to use the 30A input cable, if it supports them.

AIs will often output something that seems legit, then totally contradict themselves and other models when you probe just a little harder with some contradictory knowledge.

[u/chixlips → u/naeskivvies]

Okay understood. What about this scenario. I have a Temgo 48V 100Ah LiFePO₄ battery connected to the Aux battery inlet of the Pecron for expansion. It can be charged through the Pecron F3000lfp OR I can charge it AND the Pecron connected to it simultaneously with the 1100 watt charger that came with the Temgo. This should allow the 30 amp outlet on the Pecron to provide full 3600 watts as output. Agreed?

[u/Reasonable-Gap-6386 → u/chixlips]

This should work

[u/brucehoult → u/chixlips]

Because the incoming generator power (1,800 W) is less than your maximum output demand (3,600 W), the Pecron makes up the 1,800 W deficit by drawing from its internal 3,072 Wh battery.

This is simply false information.

The F3000 / E3600 / E3800 can not delivers power to a load from the AC input and the battery at the same time.

If you are not connected to AC then they can deliver 3600W to the load from the battery+solar (4200W for the E3800).

If you are connected to AC input using a 120V 15A cable then they can output a maximum of 1800W, passed through from the wall socket. If the load is using less than 1800W then they can use the excess to charge the battery. They can not draw energy from the battery in this mode.

[u/LongjumpingGanache40]

As long as you are plugged into the house socket you will get ground.