Where is the transfer switch?

[Wbonsell]

Anyone know where the transfer switch might be located on a '94 34J Bounder?

And exactly what does a transfer switch do? Thank you!

[TonyMac]

If you mean the electrical transfer switch, it removes connectivity to the electrical cord, and the exposed prongs of the plug, when the generator is powering the unit. And it removes connectivity to the generator when plugged into live shore power. A very important safey item. Dunno where yours is physically located.

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

Anyone know where the transfer switch might be located on a '94 34J Bounder?

And exactly what does a transfer switch do? Thank you!

Second question answered first.
The transfer switch (if you even have one) is used to switch the coach to generator power, from shore power, when it senses that the generator has been started and is producing power. When the generator is stopped, the switch will re-connect the coach to shore power.

On your Bounder, the transfer switch is most likely built into your main Breaker Panel. The panel is most likely a PowerTek 1001. If it is, the transfer switch (relay) is located behind the DC-fuse board on the right side of your panel.

[Wbonsell]

Does it have anything to do with delivering 110v power from the generator to the 110v house system?

Everything works great when plugged into 30amp shore power, but appliances such as microwave or AC are not fully functioning when just on gen power!

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

Does it have anything to do with delivering 110v power from the generator to the 110v house system?

Everything works great when plugged into 30amp shore power, but appliances such as microwave or AC are not fully functioning when just on gen power!

I thought I explained that, but yes it does. That's exactly what it is designed to do.

What do you mean by appliances "not fully functioning"? Do they attempt to work? partially work? or what?

The problem could be in the generator itself.

[jacwjames]

Wbonsell

I had a Class C that did not use a transfer switch, in the electrical bay where the power cord was stored there was a 30 amp plug coming from the generator. While traveling I would plug the cord into this in case we wanted to have power to the coach for AC, TV, or Microwave.

If you have a transfer switch it could be located almost anywhere. In my case the transfer switch is located approximately in the middle of the coach. Here is a link to a document for mine which might help you understand. http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/esco/LPT50BRD.pdf


If it is working you should be able to hear it click in when you plug into shore power. Normally the generator feed is the default position of the transfer switch and when you plug into shore power it switches. If you turn the generator on it will then switch to generator.

The transfer switch basically takes the power feed from either generator or shore power and directs it to your main distribution panel. In some cases the transfer switch can incorporate a surge protector in it to protect the RV from bad power.

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Wbonsell

I had a Class C that did not use a transfer switch, in the electrical bay where the power cord was stored there was a 30 amp plug coming from the generator. While traveling I would plug the cord into this in case we wanted to have power to the coach for AC, TV, or Microwave.

If you have a transfer switch it could be located almost anywhere. In my case the transfer switch is located approximately in the middle of the coach. Here is a link to a document for mine which might help you understand. http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/esco/LPT50BRD.pdf


If it is working you should be able to hear it click in when you plug into shore power. Normally the generator feed is the default position of the transfer switch and when you plug into shore power it switches. If you turn the generator on it will then switch to generator.

The transfer switch basically takes the power feed from either generator or shore power and directs it to your main distribution panel. In some cases the transfer switch can incorporate a surge protector in it to protect the RV from bad power.

Actually, it's the other way around.

The default (inactive) position is shore power through normally closed relay contacts. Starting the generator will close the relay contacts and send the generator power to the main panel. There is NO switching involved with plugging and/or unplugging from shore power.

The Transfer Switch, on the OP's Bounder, is located behind the ac breaker power panel as previously stated.

[Wbonsell]

Originally Posted by Old Bounder

I thought I explained that, but yes it does. That's exactly what it is designed to do.

What do you mean by appliances "not fully functioning"? Do they attempt to work? partially work? or what?

The problem could be in the generator itself.

Something is preventing things like the microwave or an AC unit to fully operate when using the genset. For instance the microwave will power up but it will not cook and makes a clicking sound. The ac will marginally come on but not enough to run as designed. It's just like I'm not getting full output from the generator which is a Onan 7000 Marquis. Everything works beautifully when plugged into 30amp shore power.

[FRR2EYW]

Check the power output on the genny. Voltage and frequency. Many electronic appliances are sensitive to this.

[Rook]

Physically, it will be in the same location (Bay) as your shore power connection. Rook

[RandyKathyM]

I had a bounder. If it is not the transfer switch check on the Generator. If it has the old Onan 7000 it will have two breakers, one on the front clearly visible and one on the side just inches away from the front one. Hope this helps.

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

Something is preventing things like the microwave or an AC unit to fully operate when using the genset. For instance the microwave will power up but it will not cook and makes a clicking sound. The ac will marginally come on but not enough to run as designed. It's just like I'm not getting full output from the generator which is a Onan 7000 Marquis. Everything works beautifully when plugged into 30amp shore power.

FRR2EYW has a very good suggestion of checking the generator output.

Your unit came standard with two air conditioners. Do either of them work on generator? If only one, which one? Front or rear?

There are two circuit breakers on the right hand end of your generator (just around the corner from the start/stop switch). Try turning those OFF and back ON several times. Perhaps letting the generator run for several minutes (without trying to operate the A/C or microwave), will help the generator if it hasn't been used in a while.

When is the last time the generator was used successfully? When was it last serviced?

[Wbonsell]

Fully serviced a year ago or roughly 100 hours. Oil was a bit low so topped it off. Neither front nor rear ac unit will run as it should. The genset ran well a month or so ago after we installed a new starter. Appears both breakers are fine. Have switched them on and off several times. Could it be the govenor which is not allowing the gen rpms to ramp up as it should under load?

What is the easiest ways to check genset output?

Thanks.....

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

Fully serviced a year ago or roughly 100 hours. Oil was a bit low so topped it off. Neither front nor rear ac unit will run as it should. The genset ran well a month or so ago after we installed a new starter. Appears both breakers are fine. Have switched them on and off several times. Could it be the govenor which is not allowing the gen rpms to ramp up as it should under load?

What is the easiest ways to check genset output?

Thanks.....

Camping world sells this meter, which measures both voltage and frequency. Also this Kill-A-Watt meter is a good tester for these problems.

Plug either meter into a regular outlet and see what they say.

Is there evidence that the generator is NOT ramping up to accept the load?