Transfer switch or Inverter???

[cajunjohn]

Hi Guys,
Recently we purchased a 1999 FDS, and are still working out the 'kinks'. This weekend, we had a problem in the middle of the night...we were connected to 50 amp shore power and running both A/C's (In Louisiana in July, we have no choice!), and all of a sudden, in the middle of the night, the rear A/C stopped working. Front A/C was enough to get through the night, but in the morning, we noticed that the microwave had no power either. We disconnected the 50 amp shore power and attempted to use genset. Genset started fine, but A/C's would not function. Turned off genset and reconnected to 50 amp shore power and both A/C's started working! Once we cooled off, disconnected from shore power and without a problem started up the genset and both A/C's. Something's screwy, but not sure if it's the transfer switch or the inverter. Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
Cajun John

[cajunjohn]

Hi Guys,
Recently we purchased a 1999 FDS, and are still working out the 'kinks'. This weekend, we had a problem in the middle of the night...we were connected to 50 amp shore power and running both A/C's (In Louisiana in July, we have no choice!), and all of a sudden, in the middle of the night, the rear A/C stopped working. Front A/C was enough to get through the night, but in the morning, we noticed that the microwave had no power either. We disconnected the 50 amp shore power and attempted to use genset. Genset started fine, but A/C's would not function. Turned off genset and reconnected to 50 amp shore power and both A/C's started working! Once we cooled off, disconnected from shore power and without a problem started up the genset and both A/C's. Something's screwy, but not sure if it's the transfer switch or the inverter. Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
Cajun John

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello Cajun John:

It sounds like the Transfer Switch which is going bad since the A/C's do not run through the inverter. I would disconnect power both Shore and Generator turn off the inverter and than I would open the transfer switch and check the electrical connections and make sure they are tight. If this is the original inverter it may be going bad and need to be replaced. This will also give you a chance to look at the relays and move them in and out to see if they bind or if the contacts are burnt.

[Algoma]

Dave is right. The inverter only provides 120v to the TV and a few lights so has nothing to do with the A/C or microwave. Something similar happened to us at a park when they lost one phase of the 240v going to the power socket and we lost our rear A/C also. But since you had the same problem running the generator I agree the transfer switch is most likely the culprit.

[dgerstel]

Just a note, for all of the owners of the later coaches with the Xantrex RS series inverters. A problem in the inverter can cause all circuits powered by the inverter to loose power, even when plugged in. The problem is that the inverters has its own internal transfer switch. In the RS series inverters, this switch does not seem to rest in the closed state. This is why I so hastily replaced mine when I was afraid that it may fail. In these coaches, when you have an AC failure, check both the AC's (not affected by the inverter) and things like the microwave and TV(run on the inverter). I don't remember if this was the case in my 02 and don't know about the years in between.

[cajunjohn]

Thanks, Guys!!
The transfer switch WAS indeed fried; new one being installed as I type. You definately hit the nail on the head!
Thanks to all of you and to all who participate on this forum!
John