2003 Journey - Transfer Switch Problem

[p00ches]

Started my generator (7.5 Onan Quiet Diesel) so we run the A/C on the way home, as we do in hot weather. This time the A/C wouldn't start, and none of the other coach loads were working. The dash air worked great going home. Plugged into my 30 amp receptacle at home, and the coach A/C and everything else was OK.

Tried unplugging at home, starting the Genset, and still no power to the coach. I bought the rig used and have no literature on the transfer switch.

Has anyone else had this problem, and could it be something simple that I'm missing. I'm new to motor homing, but have 30 years trailering, and have worked on 480 volt power equipment, including transfer switches, so I feel I might be able to fix this if had some help.

Any help would be appreciated.

Doug - 2003 Journey DL 36GD, 330 Cat.

[cardiffman]

Have you checked the breakers on the genset? I had an occasion with a genset where the breaker looked like it was not tripped, but was, in fact defective. New breaker fixed it.

Also on my Adventurer, I sometimes have to plug back into shore power and disconnect again to get proper power distribution. I think the my transfer switch is temperamental. Good luck.

[Angler3041]

My problem exactly. I started out fine when leaving Fl. now I'm in Lake George with same problem. When plugged in everything is fine , but nothing on the EMS panel when Gen is running. I have reset gen breakers. I was going to wait till I'm home but where do you check Gen output ? It's cool enough here it isn't a problem for traveling.

[movin-on]

It's better to check the genny input at the transfer switch, that way you can also check the output...Follow your shore power cord into the rig..It is connected to the transfer switch...Take off the cover and you should see 3 sets of wires....Generator in...Shore power in...out to main breaker panel...With the genny running check the genny "in" voltage and "out" to breaker panel voltage...That will give you an indication of what's happening...Sometimes the relays in the transfer switch get stuck and giving it a whack with a rubber mallet will wake it up...Be careful...Hope this helps

[jdefant]

Just to add to "movin-on"'s comments,

The shore power may go into a Power Conditioning Unit BEFORE it goes to the transfer switch so don't be confused.

Your wiring diagrams for the transfer switch can be found here: http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...ire_142005.pdf

Find the cable coming from the shore power. Measure the voltage (using a voltmeter set to AC volts) between the white wire and the red. You should see 120 volts (or something close to that) when the shore power is plugged in. Then measure between the white wire and the black wire. Again, you should see 120 volts. OK, so now you have determined that the shore power input is OK (of course you already know this.) Now look at the transfer switch and find the cable that goes to the breaker panel. Measure the voltage between the white wire and the red and the white wire and the black as you did before. Both should read around 120 volts.

Now, disconnect the shore power and start the generator. Look for the cable coming from the Gen set.
Same process as before. Measure between the white wire and red and the white wire and black on the gen set cable. If you see the 120 volts on each leg then the power coming from the gen set is OK. Measure the cable going to the breaker panel again (white and red wires and white and black wires). If you do not see any voltage then something is wrong with your transfer switch.

Good luck and
BE CAREFUL!

[p00ches]

Thanks everyone for the help. Sure enough it was the easy fix. I should have known to go out and check the genny breaker. It was tripped, probably from me cleaning the crud off the genny enclosure last week. It's been running the A/C now for about an hour.

Thanks also for the other tips on the transfer switch, which I might need later (hopefully not). Thanks also for this forum. It's helped me often.

.........Doug