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10-01-2012, 04:50 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Help! Generator runs, but no power
This one has me stumped. As we were pulling out of the driveway for a weekend trip last Friday, suddenly the air conditioners stopped working. This was about an hour after turning everything on. I also had a faint smell of something burning that quickly dispersed, not giving me an opportunity to see where the smell was coming from. The generator was still running. I checked all the fuses and circuit breakers I could find and nothing was tripped in the coach or on the generator. Shore power works ok and all appliances work fine on shore power. I suspect that the transfer switch blew out, but I do not have a clue where it is located. And when I do find it, how can I tell if it is good or bad?
Can anyone help me figure out what went wrong?
We have a 97' Fleetwood Discovery 36RS with a propane powered Onan 6500 genset.
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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10-01-2012, 04:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Palacios, Tx
Posts: 174
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I had a problem like this last year, turned out to be the voltage regulator on the gen set. repairs not cheep. Good luck
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40' HR Navigator
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10-01-2012, 05:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsha
I had a problem like this last year, turned out to be the voltage regulator on the gen set. repairs not cheep. Good luck
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I had to replace a regulator on my last RV due to it being melted. This was discovered while having a worn out bearing replaced and also explained why 2 microwaves and the converter went up in smoke. Cummins was kind enough to let me supply my own part which was pricey, but half the cost of theirs.
On this unit, I am suspecting that the issue is inside because that is where I had the burning smell, although I may have just caught a whiff of something burning outside. The smell didn't last long.
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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10-03-2012, 02:16 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Hmmm.... lot's of folks have been reading this post, but only one reply. Did I post this in the wrong area?
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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10-03-2012, 07:04 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Angola State Prison - Murder
Posts: 4,230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windydaboo
Hmmm.... lot's of folks have been reading this post, but only one reply. Did I post this in the wrong area?
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You have it all right. I assume no one knows where your transfer switch is. I am not familiar with your coach, but this is how I would proceed.
It seems you have 1 of two problems. Your transfer switch failed (most likely problem) or the genny is no longer generating electricity. I would get a volt meter and check the output at the genny's circuit breakers. If you have 120v at both, it's most likely the transfer switch.
Get a hold of Fleetwood with all the coach's info including VIN #. They can tell you where it is and the mfg and part number.
Contact Fleetwood RV
__________________
John & Clare Lyon
2007 43.5' Monaco Dynasty Palace III (All Electric)
Towd: 2011 Chevy Equinox
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10-03-2012, 07:09 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 371
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Transfer switch
Try under the bed.
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10-03-2012, 07:20 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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If the unit has an automatic transfer switch, check that first. If it is working, check the breakers on the generator body.
Ken
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Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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10-03-2012, 07:39 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Headed to the next race track.
Posts: 187
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Not clear in your post if you cycled or only observed circuit breakers, I had a similar situation was about to leave as well, I shut everything down and cycled the house circuit breakers with no success then the genset circuit breaker and all ok. I think it was because I had both AC's going and it was taking a pretty draw to charge the batteries, I assumed it would be rated for full bore and or would shed something.
The genset circuit breaker didn't look like it had tripped but had. Was quite disconcerting as we were about to leave to a place that was hot.
If you have not cycled, it's worth a try.
__________________
2006 Monaco 40' PDQ
25' Haulmark V-nose enclosed car trailer.
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10-03-2012, 08:09 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,864
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Land Barge
Not clear in your post if you cycled or only observed circuit breakers, I had a similar situation was about to leave as well, I shut everything down and cycled the house circuit breakers with no success then the genset circuit breaker and all ok. I think it was because I had both AC's going and it was taking a pretty draw to charge the batteries, I assumed it would be rated for full bore and or would shed something.
The genset circuit breaker didn't look like it had tripped but had. Was quite disconcerting as we were about to leave to a place that was hot.
If you have not cycled, it's worth a try.
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I agree. The simplest solution could be the breaker on the generator itself. This has happened to me twice and it was at a time when we were at a state park in hot weather where only 30 amp was available and there were too many appliances running. The EMS took over and shut down appliances, then the genset would come on, then off, then it decided to throw the breaker I guess.
Don
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10-04-2012, 10:24 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Land Barge
Not clear in your post if you cycled or only observed circuit breakers, I had a similar situation was about to leave as well, I shut everything down and cycled the house circuit breakers with no success then the genset circuit breaker and all ok. I think it was because I had both AC's going and it was taking a pretty draw to charge the batteries, I assumed it would be rated for full bore and or would shed something.
The genset circuit breaker didn't look like it had tripped but had. Was quite disconcerting as we were about to leave to a place that was hot.
If you have not cycled, it's worth a try.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akadeadeye
I agree. The simplest solution could be the breaker on the generator itself. This has happened to me twice and it was at a time when we were at a state park in hot weather where only 30 amp was available and there were too many appliances running. The EMS took over and shut down appliances, then the genset would come on, then off, then it decided to throw the breaker I guess.
Don
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Yes, I cycled all the circuit breakers I could find, several times, still no luck. I have followed the shore cord, but it goes up in the floor under the bathroom and I don't know where it goes from there. I didn't see the transfer switch in the engine bay either. The generator is under the front of the RV, and getting to the front of it is a nightmare since it doesn't slide out. I'm not near as flexible as I used to be. I was hoping to be able to check the generators output at the transfer switch, but have yet to find where it's at. Any ideas on where to look?
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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10-04-2012, 10:30 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 371
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Transfer switch
Again...try under the bed.
You Could call Fleetwood with your vin or fin...they will direct you.
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10-04-2012, 11:00 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bandmbrown
Again...try under the bed.
You Could call Fleetwood with your vin or fin...they will direct you.
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The last time I contacted Fleetwood for information I was told that they don't keep records on their products after 10 yrs. The best they could do was email me a sales brochure, which didn't help a bit.
Considering I haven't a clue what a transfer switch even looks like, all I can do is look for things that have big wires going in them. I've looked under the bed and all I see is the engine, but will have another look around to be sure. However, since the cable runs up into the floor and not to the engine bay I suspect it is hidden somewhere inside, maybe under the fridge behind the circuit breaker panel or under the bedroom closet.
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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10-04-2012, 07:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 1,202
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On our 98 Discovery 36T there was a transfer switch under the drawers in the bathroom vanity. I had to remove the drawers to find it. I think your RS is not a slide unit, so the bathroom configuration may not be the same. The other transfer switch was under the refrigerator, behind the breaker box. you might find one there.
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Jim and Lynda, (Sophie, Jake, attack trained killer Shi-Tzus :-))
2003 Fleetwood Expedition 38N 2005 Saturn Vue
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10-07-2012, 11:33 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Coastal Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: All over the place
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlfbatonrg
On our 98 Discovery 36T there was a transfer switch under the drawers in the bathroom vanity. I had to remove the drawers to find it. I think your RS is not a slide unit, so the bathroom configuration may not be the same. The other transfer switch was under the refrigerator, behind the breaker box. you might find one there.
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Thanks...
My Discovery does indeed have a slide and the vanity is in the center of the coach. I will be pulling drawers as soon as I have the time to mess with the beast. However, your answer gives me another question..... There are TWO transfer switches? Why would there be two and what does each one control??
__________________
'97 Fleetwood Discovery 36RS
'01 Road Star Midnight Star Edition '77 CJ-7 factory V8
'69 1600 VW Sand Rail '09 EZGO RXV Custom Golf Cart
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