No power from genset

[smlranger]

Went to storage facility today to winterize coach. Started genset and all was well for about one hour. Last item to winterize was Splendide washer and when I pushed the power button, nothing happened. Checked EMS display and no LED's. Generator still running but no juice.

Flipped breaker off and on and no change. Breaker doesn't seem to have much tension but I don't think it ever has. New breaker on order.

Things I noticed: My Silverleaf gizmo in the dash shows 120VAC while the generator is running. I don't know if the Silverleaf gets its signal before or after the breaker so not sure that is helpful. I checked my Surge Guard and it does not show any power coming in when the generator is running. However, when I connected to shore power (storage unit owner let me use his 50 amp receptable), surge guard worked as designed and I had power to coach. That would seem to rule out any issue with the surge guard and transfer switch.

Looking at the generator, not sure how to get to the breaker to replace. It does not come out through the top of the cabinet so I suspect some disassembly of the front of the generator is necessary.

Just in case I can't figure it out, I made an appointment at my local favorite independent RV repair shop.

I will be calling Kevin for some suggestions.

[ByeTheWay]

Maybe this will help: Rocky Mountain Cummin's in Avondale, AZ repaired my Onan Diesel Gen and told me that mine shut down because it was not producing power. So if your's is an Onan and it is running, I'd look from the breaker on.

[phays]

Do you know if the surge protector is wired after the transfer switch? Mine is not and does not see the generator output.

If your surge protector is wired similarly then check the transfer switch. First, bang on it. If that doesn't work open it up and check to see if generator voltage is getting to the transfer switch. My transfer switch failed and would not switch from shore to generator.

My transfer switch only switches when the generator is powered up and suspect yours is too, so a faulty transfer switch would exhibit the problem you are seeing.

[palehorse89]

Are you sure your surge guard sees the power from the genset? Mine is wire to the shore power........sounds like the contactor in the transfer switch for the genset is not closing to provide power. Take a meter and check for voltage at the input side of the contactor for the genset when it is running. This check will tell you if the breaker on the genset is bad or the contactor in the transfer switch. If there is power at the input of the contactor, then check the out put side......if no voltage, the contactor is bad. Also check for voltage on the small wire on the contactor, this is the signal wire to close the coil on the contactor.

[smlranger]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Some info after speaking to Kevin Waite and the folks at Silverleaf:

Kevin confirms that the generator output does not go thru my Surge Guard so that explains why I see no LED's on it. Kevin also suggested it could be either the generator breaker or the transfer switch.

The folks at Silverleaf said their 240L gizmo is wired to the generator in a way that it provides info related to basic functions. He said it was likely telling me that the generator was producing adequate power to the breaker but was not able to determine if power was passing thru the breaker to the coach.

So, as you folks and Kevin suggested, I need to get into the transfer switch and do some diagnostics before I start pulling the generator apart to replace the breaker.

[Mr_D]

My transfer switch failed, no power to the rig. I took some popsickle sticks and wedged them into the contactor and now have power. That was in Sept. and the sticks are still there. Bought a transfer switch but had to return it as the punchouts and lid were backwards. Sent it back and got another brand. Too wet out to be working on the MH plus I'm busy with other projects.

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

My transfer switch failed, no power to the rig. I took some popsickle sticks and wedged them into the contactor and now have power. That was in Sept. and the sticks are still there. Bought a transfer switch but had to return it as the punchouts and lid were backwards. Sent it back and got another brand. Too wet out to be working on the MH plus I'm busy with other projects.

What transfer switch did you finally get that will fit? I think my coach has an ESCO but if I have to replace it, I want to get a good one but something that I can install without modifying the wiring, etc.

[deandec]

In a similar situation, I was able to put a meter on the generator breaker terminals.

That step established that although the generator engine was running, the voltage produced was zero or too low.

Hence the generation unit was the problem.

[CoCoDave]

Originally Posted by smlranger

What transfer switch did you finally get that will fit? I think my coach has an ESCO but if I have to replace it, I want to get a good one but something that I can install without modifying the wiring, etc.

For what it's worth, when our now obsolete Magnetek ATS 5070 died we replaced it with a Parallax ATS 503. It's been working fine for two years.

Here's a link to the ATX 503 owner's guide.

Parallax ATS 503 Owner's Guide

They're commonly available from several sources.

FWIW

[CountryFit]

my genset is a powertech so your case might not be the same... i have experienced (1) voltage regulator failed, cost $230 for parts i replaced it; (2) one of two breakers failed i replaced about $30 for parts ; (3) fuel solenoid cooked about $100 parts and diagnosis and i did the swap.

checking the voltage at the breakers may sound a better idea to start with.

[smlranger]

Update:

Looks like it is the generator contactor on my transfer switch. When I run the genset, the generator contactor in the transfer switch chatters and switches on/off rapidly until I flip the generator breaker off. Voltage readings at the contactor are erratic during this chatter.

Spoke to ESCO (Elkhart Supply Co) and they advise the contactor is shot and I can replace just the contactor. However, I can get an entirely new switch off Amazon for $240 so will just replace the whole thing.

[wa8yxm]

Is the Generator an ONAN? The reason I ask is ONAN RV generators will shut down if they are not outputting

There should be TWO breakers on the generator itself.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Is the Generator an ONAN? The reason I ask is ONAN RV generators will shut down if they are not outputting

There should be TWO breakers on the generator itself.

I believe the OP said the unit continues to run. With that info he t/s to a bad contact at the transfer switch if I read everything right.

[smlranger]

It is an Onan 10KW quiet diesel. It continues to run just fine even though I have no power to the coach. I also have a Silverleaf 240CL device that provides info on various coach systems. When the generator is running, the Silverleaf display says the genset is producing 120VAC. The generator only has one breaker labelled 45 amp.

The folks at ESCO were pretty sure it was the generator contactor assembly. The shore power contactor works and passes shore power to the coach just fine.