No Electric in Coach

[Kaskadebh]

We are having issue with the electrical power in our Newmar Dutch Star.

If we are plugged into electrical power we have no electric in the coach; however, using the generator we have power. Being a fairly new person or actually one that doesn't do much traveling in the RV have no idea what the problem could be.

I might add we have checked the circuit box in both the garage and the coach as well as the fuses.

Can anyone give me some suggestions.

Gene

[twinboat]

You need to see if you have a surge guard device on the MH.

If you do, the voltage in the park may be low, not allowing damaging voltage into the MH.

Have you tried another sites outlet ?
You may want to ask the park attendant to check the volts.

[Frutza]

Do your a.c. units work on shore power? If they do look at your inverter breakers, if not, look at the points on the transfer switch relays. DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE TRANSFER SWITCH WHILE PLUGED IN OR GENNY RUNNING

[Bob_C]

Possibly the transfer switch isn't swith'n also...

[nothermark]

Most likely the transfer switch is not switching. Check the connections and that you have power getting to the input side of the switch as it can also be the power cord or a surge protector if there is one. Most common problem seem to be transfer switch.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by nothermark

Most likely the transfer switch is not switching. Check the connections and that you have power getting to the input side of the switch as it can also be the power cord or a surge protector if there is one. Most common problem seem to be transfer switch.

Agree^^.


Full AC power from the generator and no AC power when plugged in requires tracing back along the circuits. First stop is the transfer switch, as indicated. Power to the coach passes through the transfer switch from either the generator or shore line. In your case, it is passing through from the generator, but not from the shore line, so the transfer switch is your first suspect in tracing back the circuit (inverter is good as you have AC when generator is running.)


Before proceeding, be sure the power cord is unplugged from shore power, and the generator is OFF.


Remove the cover of the transfer switch and look closely at the inside wiring. You should be able to tell where the power cord connects, where the generator feed connects, and where the load to the panel connects. IF YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY THE WIRES, CALL AN ELECTRICIAN. IF YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH TESTING 120 VOLT AC, CALL AN ELECTRICIAN.


Use a volt meter and with the power cord now plugged in, check the voltage at the power cord connections inside the transfer switch. If you have full voltage, you know the cord is good and the power source is good. If voltage is low/non-existent, the problem is before the transfer switch--either the cord, surge protector (if equipped), or the power source.


If voltage is good at at cord connection, test for voltage at the LOAD wires that feed the coach electrical panel. If no voltage there, the relay in the transfer switch did not shunt the shore power to the coach and you've located your problem.

[hohenwald48]

See post #2 before doing anything else. If the CG power is faulty the transfer switch will not switch to shore power but will remain on generator. Shore power could have reverse polarity, low voltage, high voltage, open ground, open neutral or something else that the power monitor system doesn't like.

My trouble shooting motto is "always check the easy stuff first". Don't start diving into the coach wiring if it's not necessary.

You don't indicate what year your DS is but I'd be real surprised if it doesn't have a system to monitor shore power for errors.

[beaverfever]

make sure your shore power cord is plugged in to the motor home and be sure the power is turned on at the post.

[WoodyS]

Originally Posted by Kaskadebh

I might add we have checked the circuit box in both the garage and the coach as well as the fuses.

Whoa! You checked the circuit box in the garage? So you're not in a RV park, but at home?

Do you have a 50 amp circuit with RV socket in your garage? Or are you using adapters so you can plug the RV's 50 amp plug into a household 20 amp socket?

If you're not plugged into a real 50 amp or 30 amp circuit, I'm not sure the coach's electrical system will turn on.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Possibly the transfer switch isn't swith'n also...

yup. when you plug into shore power you should hear the txfr switch make a clunking sound. sometimes a light tap on the switch with a rubber mallet will unstick it. otherwise unplug, remove the cover and you'll likely find one or more loose, burned or corroded connections. if you're not comfortable doung that you'll need professional service.

[Jeff426]

I would say the Transfer Switch is bad, we had a similar situation occur.
All the best

Jeff and Lynn

[CoachC]

Originally Posted by Kaskadebh

We are having issue with the electrical power in our Newmar Dutch Star.

If we are plugged into electrical power we have no electric in the coach; however, using the generator we have power. Being a fairly new person or actually one that doesn't do much traveling in the RV have no idea what the problem could be.

I might add we have checked the circuit box in both the garage and the coach as well as the fuses.

Can anyone give me some suggestions.

Gene

Hello Gene,
Is your shore power source 20, 30 or 50 AMP?
If 20A with GFCI you might try a reset of the GFCI. If using a very long extension a refrigerator or other appliance starting up can kick that 20A GFCI off. Even initial hook up could set it off. If you are on 30 or 50 that would not be the issue. Investigate the transfer switch as previously suggested.

Best of luck and safe travels!

[ddowntown]

I agree, had the same issue, it was the transfer switch. I used a current indicator pen to find where I was loosing the connection. I traced it to the transfer switch. If you remove all power you can snap off the plastic cover and test the switch by pushing the blue posts in. If they move freely on both switches, you likely need to look further. I think you will find that you can not push in the switch on the one that controls the shore power. Surge Guard replaced the transfer switch, however I upgraded to a higher level of switch, unfortunately Newmar chose to use the most inexpensive transfer switch available from Surge Guard.

[Kaskadebh]

Originally Posted by CoachC

Hello Gene,
Is your shore power source 20, 30 or 50 AMP?
If 20A with GFCI you might try a reset of the GFCI. If using a very long extension a refrigerator or other appliance starting up can kick that 20A GFCI off. Even initial hook up could set it off. If you are on 30 or 50 that would not be the issue. Investigate the transfer switch as previously suggested.

Best of luck and safe travels!

Shore power source is a 50 amp. Thanks for your response.

Gene and David