Onan 6500 giving 110v to part of motorhome

[tazmaniac]

Last time is used the genset everything worked fine last weekend we were on 110 landline everything worked came home fire up the gen. the only thing to work was the front air nothing else worked, i.e. Microwave, rear air, outlets and frig would not switch to AC,the circuit breakers seem to be in the right position which I turned on/off and I noticed that the voltage out of the gen. was only 12.7v and the batteries 12.6v, plugged into 110v noticed only a 12.6v. called Onan rep. he said since I am getting air the gen is working and it could be one of the circuit breakers or the converter any othe suggestions would be nice since I am not an electrician.

[tazmaniac]

Last time is used the genset everything worked fine last weekend we were on 110 landline everything worked came home fire up the gen. the only thing to work was the front air nothing else worked, i.e. Microwave, rear air, outlets and frig would not switch to AC,the circuit breakers seem to be in the right position which I turned on/off and I noticed that the voltage out of the gen. was only 12.7v and the batteries 12.6v, plugged into 110v noticed only a 12.6v. called Onan rep. he said since I am getting air the gen is working and it could be one of the circuit breakers or the converter any othe suggestions would be nice since I am not an electrician.

[Hitchhiker]

Hello 'tazmaniac',

Welcome to iRV2, we're really glad to have you here as a new member and are looking forward to reading your posts about your RVing experiences and adventures. You'll find a great bunch of folks on this site who are very knowledgeable of RVing, the rigs we use, and the places we go in them.

Obviously one leg of your electrical system isn't receiving power from the generator. Since it works fine on shore power and you've verified all the breakers are OK and passing power, the next place I'd check is the transfer switch. It's possible one side isn't making contact. Also, there may be another breaker on the generator. Be sure to check it too.

As you'll see, they're eager to help and share their knowledge and experiences with others.

Again, welcome to iRV2, we're glad you joined.

[tazmaniac]

Thanks for your suggestion but the circuit breakers are in the correct position but have not metered the breakers to see if they are good. I did an experiment this morning I started the genset and the front air which is the only one that worked with the generator and then turned the top cicuit breaker off which didnt shut off the air, then the bottom which did shut off the air so I now that at least the top breaker so far is the culprit, I have to find out if I have a transfer switch not sure where or what that is.

["007"]

Check your ground fault outlets one maybe tripped, one in bath and one on kitchen wall.

Welcome to irv2 by the way.

[RV Wizard]

Follow the power cord to a box that will also have the power line coming into it from the generator. This is your transfer switch. While it is plugged into shore power give it a few raps. THen start the generator and see if power is coming through on both legs (all 120 volts apparatuses should work) If not give it a few more raps. If you do not get power through then this is a place you can acturally check the voltages coming into it from the generator. I wonder if you may have gotten maybe some ants to get inbetween the points of the contactors. Good luck and let us know the out come.

[tazmaniac]

After talking to Gregg at Onan we talked about many thing but he said to start with the easiest clean your grounds so I cleaned the one from the genset to the tray, (bingo) everything worked great, lucky I guess, lets hope this is the long term cure.

[tazmaniac]

Another update after stating it was the ground strap, well it did it again so I cleaned the strap still nothing AGAIN so a buddy of mine came over he is an electrician and started tracing ended up pulling the convertor out and the transfer switch was not activitating so he tapped the box surronding the transfer switch, BINGO it switched. I did not take the box apart because of the maze of wires but I assume I will need a new switch.

[troth]

TAZ, do a search in these forums for transfer switch. Yes they do go bad, but sometimes just some simple cleaning of the contacts is needed. Disconnect/shut off all power, open the box. Gently wipe a dollar bill or other sorta coarse paper on the contact points. Can use contact cleaner spray. Do not use sandpaper or emery cloth.

[tazmaniac]

thank you, I will do that I noticed after we found the problem it did it again I "banged" on the box and it started to work. hopefully a good cleaning and maybe getting a new one for future issues down the road.

[n2xyz]

I just read you postings. Sorry I am a little late, It sounds like a loose connection. Another possibility is that the crimp connection is not done correctly and the wires are loose in the connector. Intermitten problems can drive you nuts. At least you have a general location.

On one of the first postings you stated that the breakers where in the correct position. Some times a breaker will trip and you will take it to be in the correct position but it is tripped, in which case turn it off and back on to reset it. So with in doubt turn it off and back on again, GFI are the same. I don't like tripped breakers there is usually a reason!

Your problem is a loose or durty connection.

["007"]

n2xyz a belated welcome to irv2, thanks for your previous postings
Enjoy the forums and as your doing post often.

[crazy jim]

I have had this problem before, the culprit in my case was the GFI in the bathroom, I only had 110 volts to the front of the coach. I reste it and wa la power!