inverted generator power

[Slow ride]

Hello, I recently purchased a 2001 Kountry Star DP. When running the generator I noticed the remote control inverter panel does not show that the batteries are charging and the incoming AC power light is not on. The panel is completely dead when gernerator is running. All the 120v appliances work on generator power. The inverter remote panel works and all indicator lights work on shore power. I've checked all the fuses and circuit breakers I know of and none of them are tripped/blown. What else should I look at or look for. Preparing for a long dry camp trip and will be depending on generator to re charge batteries. Sorry for long post just trying to cover details and provide as much info to obtain the much needed assistance. TIA
Eric

[FlyingDiver]

Does your rig have an automatic transfer switch? If not, how do you connect the generator when running?

joe

[Slow ride]

It does have an auto transfer switch which seems to be working. When I turn on generator all the 120v aplliances work (microwave, TV, etc). Should I have to plug something into and outlet?

[FlyingDiver]

Is it possible the inverter was added after the coach was built? It's possible it was wired into the shore power feed before the transfer switch, instead of after it. I think you'll need to trace the AC input wiring from the inverter/converter back to the shore power connection.

joe

[GaryKD]

Hi Slow ride,
I do not know if your coach charges the coach batteries from the generator. For now, let us assume charging the batteries from the generator is true. If you are okay working with a meter, you'll need to do some checking to see where the power is being lost.

1. Go to the battery charger (usually the converter or a combined inverter/converter) and see if it is getting 120 VAC from the generator. If no, go the the transfer switch and check the outbound VAC on both legs. Then you'll need to determine where the VAC is being lost between the transfer switch and the converter. The converter can be found in several different places. Many times it is in the electrical bay with the shore power cord.

2. If the converter has incoming 120 VAC, check the output for 13.5 VDC. If the VDC is there then the problem is between the converter and the coach batteries. If there is incoming VAC and no outbound VDC the converter is bad.

[Slow ride]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm working on them now in hopes to find the cure.
Thanks again,
Eric

[wa8yxm]

There are several possibilities.

1: If your rig is a 50 amp rig, it may be the inverter is on one leg and the working outlets are either 1: Powered by the inverter or 2: on the other leg. I know when my inverter was installed they put both air conditioners on the OTHER leg.

If that is the case and the breaker that feeds the inverter is tripped (happened to me just last week) the inverter will not get any AC, though other outlets will work if they are on the other leg.

Option 2 is the generator is very "Dirty" output waveform wise, (This is common on small contractor's jobs but NOT common on say ONAN or GENRAC or other made for RV 5,000 watt plus generators) and the inverter is rejecting the power. Figuring that out requies a voltage test at the inverter's AC-INPUT line or terminls.. MEASURE CAREFULLY, DANGEROUS POWER PRESENT, INJURY POSSIBLE.