Electrical Problem

[Jharris]

Hello. This is my first thread on this forum. I have a 34' 1989 Fleewood Pace Arrow. If I start the engine (Chevy 454) I can start the generator. Once I kill the engine the generator stops working. This never happened in the past. I think that this is probably a relay of some sort but before I start replacing relays I was wondering in anyone might have a better trouble shooting scheme? I fear that there might be some other electrical issues but this is where I need to start. I am hooked to shore power and the batteries are fairly new and are fully charged. Does anyone have any ideas?

["007"]

Welcome Jharris to irv2.
Most GEN's get their 12v from the house batteries or converter when hook to shore power the altenator from engine will charge the house batteries as does the converter.
You didn't say what GEN you have but this link will bring you to some.
You should have some battery leads into the Gen and a heavy ground to chassis frame.
Let us know how your making out.

[loulong]

Does your coach have battery disconnect switches? Are the switches on (batteries connected)?

It sounds like the generator is being started and maintained by the chassis battery while the engine is running but dies because no battery voltage is available after the isolation relay drops out. The house battery must be connected to keep the generator running. Either the switch is off or the solenoid has failed.

[Jharris]

Loulong,
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to check it out. I'm a fighter pilot by trade(my nickname is "Gus") and while RV's and camping is nothing new to me, I'm probably much better at entering a turn circle and wacking a bad guy than I am at RV electrical stuff-so I'll take any help that I can get. While I troubleshoot the battery disconnects the question that I have is even though there may not be electrical power available via the battery and the disconnect issue, if I 'm hooked up to shore power won't the gen find another way to get power (via converter)? Once again, I'm not smart this way so don't think that I even know the "ins-and-outs " of an RV electrical system so I appreciate the help. P.S. All fuses and breakers check out OK. Thanks again, Gus

[loulong]

Gus, you are better at this than you think. The converter on shore power, if it's wired like mine - ('97 Bounder), should in fact be capable of supplying 12V to the generator even if batteries are disconnected via the switch.

Try disconnecting from shore power and see if you still have interior 12v lighting, etc...

If you do, then retry your generator procedure and see if it acts the same.

Another suggestion, and I would do this soon while Fleetwood is still in existance, is gather up your VIN, FIN and make/model numbers and request wiring and plumbing diagrams from either Fleetwood Customer Serrvice or it can be done from the contact procedure on their web site. Very handy and useful data. They will e-mail them to quickly.

Thanks, Gus, for your military service, it's very much appreciated.

[SacsTC]

Quote:

I am hooked to shore power and the batteries are fairly new and are fully charged. Does anyone have any ideas?

Does the gennie turn over without the Engine running??
If so, I'd be looking for some sort of fuel delivery problem. Maybe a collapsed fuel line somewhere in the generator fuel system that the engine fuel pump is able to overcome?