Community Forums

rtmow · 05-24-2012, 10:49 AM

I'm new here, so don't assume that I know.
I need help in determining what is going on with my generator - coach power. Here's the problem: I fired up generator not knowing that I had my camper (1983 Holoday Rambler - Presendential 33) plugged into shore power. Long story short, now my coach does not have power when generator is running. The shore power works fine.

I did reset breakers on generator and the breakers in coach panel box and still nothing.
I also tested voltage output at generator and have 120 volts. But it's not supplying power inside of coach.

I should add that there is an outlet in the shore power (bumper) area and when I plug into that outlet with the generator running,the generator suppies power to coach.

I've done some research here on the forum and it would appear that it is the transfer relay; however, I can't find the transfer relay nor do I know what it looks like. Is the converter and transfer relay the same?
The pictures I pulled up on the net don't look like anything i've seen.

I did trace shore power cord into house coach and to panel box, but I still can't locate or id.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

whem2fish · 05-24-2012, 10:59 AM

One question where you store the shore power. Cord on mine I have to plug mine into a outlet inside the cord storage area I have no transfer switch

rtmow · 05-24-2012, 11:11 AM

I assumed that I have a tranfer switch.........

rtmow · 05-24-2012, 11:25 AM

Ok, I went out and started generator and plugged coach power cord into outlet - and power is restored to coach with generator running.......maybe that was the problem, I don't have a transfer switch, man I have so much to learn.

sirpurrcival · 05-24-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmow

Ok, I went out and started generator and plugged coach power cord into outlet - and power is restored to coach with generator running.......maybe that was the problem, I don't have a transfer switch, man I have so much to learn.

Don't feel too bad. When I first got my Class A, I assumed that the nice little receptical in my compartment wall where the power cord connects to the coach was just to keep the loose end of the cord from flopping around when the vehicle was in motion.

Like you, I had to run the generator and then puzzle why it didn't seem to be powering the coach. Of course I figured it out before I posted on a huge forum for all to see my shame

rtmow · 05-24-2012, 01:30 PM

Yep, that's the way i feel.

QuietWater · 05-24-2012, 09:17 PM

Have you figured out the air conditioner arrangement, yet? You can only run one a/c on shore power. There is a lever behind a cabinet door near the floor that selects the front or back a/c. When you are on the generator you can run both.

jimbo16720 · 05-24-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmow

Ok, I went out and started generator and plugged coach power cord into outlet - and power is restored to coach with generator running.......maybe that was the problem, I don't have a transfer switch, man I have so much to learn.

Same as mine, no transfer switch. The plug is your transfer switch by plugging it into shore power or the outlet which is your generator.

KIX · 05-24-2012, 09:31 PM

RTmow...........no transfer switch means one less thing to ultimately replace. Sometimes you have to look hard for the good side of a problem.

sirpurrcival · 05-25-2012, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIX

RTmow...........no transfer switch means one less thing to ultimately replace. Sometimes you have to look hard for the good side of a problem.

It's true actually. When I don't have it plugged into shore power, I just plug it into the generator. No fail, no other item to have to diagnose if there is a power generation issue. And so long as I am consistent in plugging it into the generator when not connected to shore power, I don't have to get out in the rain when I do need to run off the the genny.