Generator questions

[MONKEYBIZ]

Originally Posted by Skippinhead

There might be a manual switch to operate AC from shore or generator or there could be a breaker tripped or your transfer switch is bad.

Hmmm...unfortunately I have zero manuals for this beast so going blindly into this I would have no idea where that could be. So the automatic transfer switch if bad could be one reason why it's not engaging the A/C?...probably that's broken too. Oh my... gonna rename her THE MONEY PIT!!! I just want something to work other than the lights and TV. LOL. Frustrating to say the least ; (

[Skip3370]

Go online and research your unit for manuals. I had a 1984 Pace Arrow that had a switch mounted in the kitchen for switching the AC from shore to generator. Turn off and then turn on all of your breakers. Is your AC blowing any air at all?

[kenandterry]

Ok...let's review

Yes people do run their rooftop A/C units to cool the motorhome while driving, from the power of their generator. Some units power automatically when the genny is running, others may need the power cord plugged into the receptacle found in the power cord compartment. There are breakers and fusses associated with the genny and inside the power distribution panel inside the coach. Have you located all these?

However, let's test the A/C unit first while plugged into 30amp A.C. minimum.

Does you unit work at all? Just fans? Does it blow cool air?

[Dean n Mike]

OK, one step at a time:

Start with the coach plugged in to the house. Go inside and make sure you have evidence that there is really power to the coach. Looking at the microwave is probably quickest, but plugging a fan or something else into an AC outlet inside of the coach works, too.

Next, unplug the coach from the house, then get the generator running, and go inside and confirm that you have AC power.
If there is no power,

Start at the generator. There will be a breaker there, make sure it is on.
If that breaker is ok, the generator should be supplying power. Next, go to the breaker panel inside the coach somewhere (I am not familiar with your coach, but popular locations are hallways and bathrooms, should be behind a cover with a latch of some sort). There should be a master breaker for all AC Power, and then individual ones for different needs (microwave, A/C, plugs, etc). Make sure those are "on" (and stay on, if they were not when you started). If there is a short somewhere, these will trip and you know you have an issue.

Presuming all is ok with power to the inside of the RV, there should be a switch on the side of your thermostat, A/C on one side, maybe "Cool", and "Heat" or "Furnace" in the other position. Setting that switch to cool, and then the temperature to a lower-than-ambient temperature should start the AC.

There is a chance that your compressor will be locked up if it really was not functional before you purchased the RV, if you hear the generator make noise like it is under a VERY heavy load, turn the Thermostat to OFF immediately.

IF you had a 30amp connection at the house (might consider it in the future), you could try all of this first on "shore" power, eliminating the generator issue to start.

Let us know how this goes, more help is available as you need it.

Mike

[MONKEYBIZ]

Thank you so much!!! Yes I was thinking of getting a 30 amp installed at my house, and at this point may jump over to the nearest campground with 30 amp service to try that. Checked all fuses, breakers etc and they seem to be working and not tripped or blown. After reading all the replies, I think I may have found out what I did wrong. This forum is great and again I truly appreciate all of you taking time out to help this newbie maneuver the ins and outs of my motor home. On another positive note since all of you told me what the mysterious cable was, I hooked it up and now my antenna to my TV is picking up random HD channels! Ha, win win! Learning something new every dat, and love it!

[nothermark]

Gotta watch it - these things can be addictive! ;-)

[spyderRV]

MONKEYBIZ, Look here for your owners manual.

RV Owners Manuals

I didn't see your year but I looked at the closest year and it states you take your shore cord and plug it into the generator outlet. Mine is a 1999 flair and was set up the same way. I added an automatic transfer switch so I didn't have to plug mine into the outlet.

[kfriceman]

You don't have to run to a get campground for 30 amp service, your coach will run off the 15/20 amp service from your home just fine but you will need to be careful what you run in your coach. For example do run the A/C and microwave at the same time or the microwave and coffee pot/toaster.


I do recommend that if you use an extension cord to connect to your main service line that it be at least 10 gauge and of good quality.


-Kevin

[ga traveler]

Originally Posted by MONKEYBIZ

Thank you so much!!! Yes I was thinking of getting a 30 amp installed at my house, and at this point may jump over to the nearest campground with 30 amp service to try that. Checked all fuses, breakers etc and they seem to be working and not tripped or blown. After reading all the replies, I think I may have found out what I did wrong. This forum is great and again I truly appreciate all of you taking time out to help this newbie maneuver the ins and outs of my motor home. On another positive note since all of you told me what the mysterious cable was, I hooked it up and now my antenna to my TV is picking up random HD channels! Ha, win win! Learning something new every dat, and love it!

If you decide to install a outlet at your house, be very careful. 90% of the electricians will look at the outlet and think 220 volts. Make sure you show them the outlet and that it says for RV use 120 volts. You can buy the outlet at Lowes or Home depot. make sure you look on the package and it says For travel trailers and RV,s.

[MONKEYBIZ]

Thank you all! Update: so went thru all those steps and after looking at it again, a light bulb went off in my head. Hopefully this helps someone else. On the generator there are 2 breakers, one is a 20 amp and the other 30 amp. I have a 45 amp converter in the RV as well. Both the 20 amp and 30 amp were in the On position leading me to deduce it has a 50 amp total capacity. What is that there for? Well I think it's so you can choose to use only 20 amp draw or 30 amp draw depending on what your needs are. A lower amp for less and the higher for more. I switched off the 20 amp and just left the 30 amp....and voila MAGIC, it started right up, ran the A/C and it's super cold!!! Everything else is working also. The fridge is my next thing. When I put it on manual does it automatically know to utilize power other than LP? I don't plan on using the LP system YET!

[Dean n Mike]

The 20 and 30 amp breakers are, in my experience, two separate outputs, one with (logically enough) 20 amp and the other with 30 amp capacity. In what I have seen, these are wired to separate circuits, or groups of circuits, in the RV.

Did you mean to imply that the generator would not run if both circuits were on? If so, give us the make/model of the generator to make sure, but some (maybe most) will not let the generator run if there is a dead short on either circuit. By turning off the 20 amp circuit, you might have isolated the shorted circuit and let the generator run.

If you meant that the A/C would not run until you turned off the 20 amp breaker, that is another issue (and an unusual one at that).

Let us know what's up! You are making progress, understanding the systems and wringing things out...stick with it.

Mike

[twinboat]

The 20 amp breaker is not used unless your MH has 2 ACs.

I have the same Generac 5500 watt generator with 2 breakers. A 30 amp RV is 3600 watts so it uses only the 1, 30 amp breaker.

My 20 amp breaker is on, but the wires are capped off.

[MONKEYBIZ]

Sweet! So yes that makes sense. I only have one A/C unit so truly only need to 30 amp on! MUCH THANKS!!!