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10-22-2016, 09:14 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
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Need some help - could it be transfer switch?
Power kicked off in the RV last night. Checked all the breakers and power at the shore is still on. Fired up the generator and it did not power the coach. Could it be my transfer switch? How can I confirm that? Is it easy to put a new one in??
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10-22-2016, 09:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Nor'easters Club Appalachian Campers Ford Super Duty Owner Coastal Campers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,463
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Obviously you have started with the simple stuff first, note the breakers should be switched off, then on to confirm they are on, the handle position may be deceiving. If the shore power comes through a GFCI, make sure it is not tripped.
You don't say what coach you have, but most Newmar coaches from 2008 on have a transfer switch that will fail open, thus you will get no power from either source.
Do you know where your transfer switch is? Getting the brand and model would help. If you have a DMM and are willing to work around 240VAC it's pretty easy to troubleshoot.
__________________
Stewart, Brenda and kids
2008 Newmar Canyon Star 3410, now at a new home
2006 Roadtrek Versatile 210
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10-22-2016, 10:16 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
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more info!
Our coach is a newmar AllStar 3950 from 2007. The transfer switch is a black OTSI? The failing open concept makes sense to our problem as I talked to someone who said it is extremely rare to have both generator and shore power go out at the same time due to a transfer switch and it is probably not that? but still could be I guess... Any ideas at all what else it could be? I clicked every breaker possible off and on.
How can I test the transfer switch to see if that is the problem?
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10-22-2016, 10:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Spokane, Washington
Posts: 1,167
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I changed mine and it was easy. The biggest problem was fighting the heavy cables and that wasn't too bad. Ordered my via Amazon who had the proper brand name.
I agree that it may not be the transfer switch. You should be able to open it and check for burnt contacts. Shut down all power before you open the box.
__________________
Ron... WB7DJV
2000 38' Dutch Star | 2006 Grand Cherokee | SilverLeaf VmsPc Engine Monitor | TST TPMS
FMCA, NKK
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10-22-2016, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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Have you checked the interior wiring of the switch, stranded wiring will become flat and loosen up if bad enough can cause a fire or burnt smell.
This link will lead you to transfer switches and finding problems.
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10-22-2016, 11:03 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,146
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Check the breakers on the invertor. They tripped on ours and cut all power including 120 VAC.
__________________
Zeb and Teena (In my heart)
2005 Mandalay, 2013 Ford Edge
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10-22-2016, 11:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Nor'easters Club Appalachian Campers Ford Super Duty Owner Coastal Campers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,463
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Could it be an Iota? That transfer switch has known issues with wiring burning. another RV manufacturer recalled all theirs and Iota no longer makes it.
As Romeo and 007 say, disconnect shore power and open the cover up (it snaps on, you should be able to tell how it comes off), inspect and tighten up connections. If they are melted you'll need a new transfer switch. Progressive Dynamics is the brand Newmar used on mine and there are several other reputable brands to choose from.
__________________
Stewart, Brenda and kids
2008 Newmar Canyon Star 3410, now at a new home
2006 Roadtrek Versatile 210
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10-22-2016, 05:50 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
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THANKS!!!
Thanks for all the help today!!! It was the inverter breaker.... not sure why it kicked off but as soon as I reset it everything was fixed! Thanks so much for all the help!!!
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10-22-2016, 08:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Nor'easters Club Appalachian Campers Ford Super Duty Owner Coastal Campers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandies
Thanks for all the help today!!! It was the inverter breaker.... not sure why it kicked off but as soon as I reset it everything was fixed! Thanks so much for all the help!!!
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Glad you found it! It's still a good idea to open the transfer switch and check that the wires are tight, same with the breaker panel (obviously with shore power, generator and inverter off). Two of the three motorhomes I've owned have had at least one wire that overheated. The third I checked right away when I bought it.
__________________
Stewart, Brenda and kids
2008 Newmar Canyon Star 3410, now at a new home
2006 Roadtrek Versatile 210
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10-24-2016, 08:31 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,146
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On our age coach, there is no power management system other than me. I now know to pay attention to which power hungry devices are on at the same time. When DW dries and curls her hair, I always make sure the Kuerig coffeemaker is off. Found out that it doesn't take that much, just being a little more aware of what is going on.
__________________
Zeb and Teena (In my heart)
2005 Mandalay, 2013 Ford Edge
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