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Last One · 06-08-2012, 04:49 PM

Took a power spike this morning and now the AC's will not work when I run the generator. They work fine on shore power but the minute I unplug shore power and kick on the generator they quit. Inverter panel says it's waiting on AC. My best guess is I have a transer switch problem, right or wrong. Keep in mind I can barely spell electricity. Thanks in advance for your input.

KIX · 06-08-2012, 04:53 PM

Yes sir......I too would look at the transfer switch.......
A lot of transfer switches default to the generator so that being said you may just have a stuck transfer. You may be able to tap it pretty sharply and free it

TXiceman · 06-08-2012, 04:55 PM

Sounds like a blown fuse/circuit in the power control to a bad transfer switch. Time to get out the volt-ohm meter and start tracking down the power dead end.

Might help to post what type RV, power center and generator we are dealing with here.

Welcome to iRV2

Ken

Melmoses · 06-08-2012, 04:57 PM

I think you are correct that it is the transfer switch. If you don't have surge protection on your coach, the spike may have melted the switch contacts which would cause it not to be able to switch to the generator. You can probably see that if you open the transfer switch box and look at the contacts.

jauguston · 06-08-2012, 05:04 PM

Maybe not the problem but a good idea to check the circuit breakers on the generator itself.

Jim

Skip426 · 06-08-2012, 05:06 PM

Hi, and Welcome to iRV2.
Power Transfer Switch , is a real possibility. Use caution when testing; disconnect from power/ gen set off, open switch housing, and if it smells burnt it probably is .

Gary RVRoamer · 06-09-2012, 03:05 PM

Before leaping to the conclusion that it is the ATS, reset the breakers on the generator itself.

deandec · 06-11-2012, 10:38 AM

I believe you should first turn off your roof AC before switching power sources. Your post seems to indicate that you just unplug shore power and start the generator while the AC is running?

My rig has a 45 second power delay before the generator will provide current to the coach. Do as others have advised. Check the breakers on the generator, and the breakers in your 120v power panel.

Do you have power at the outlets serviced by your inverter, or no 110v power to your rig at all when on the generator?

Last One · 06-12-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

I believe you should first turn off your roof AC before switching power sources. Your post seems to indicate that you just unplug shore power and start the generator while the AC is running?

My rig has a 45 second power delay before the generator will provide current to the coach. Do as others have advised. Check the breakers on the generator, and the breakers in your 120v power panel.

Do you have power at the outlets serviced by your inverter, or no 110v power to your rig at all when on the generator?

Circuit breaker was not thrown on the generator, unplugged power cord before starting generator and then tried to run the air conditioners. Plugged in another small fan to check the AC and it acted like it was only running on reduced power. Checked all the AC breakers and they were fine. Not aware of any other breakers to check.

jauguston · 06-12-2012, 03:15 PM

If your small fan was acting like it was running on reduced power maybe it was. Sounds like time to check the generator output voltage right at the generator.

Jim

GaryKD · 06-12-2012, 04:11 PM

Hi Last One,
Welcome to iRV2. This is easy to start the diagnosis. Get a meter, pop the cover on the ATS and check the VAC outbound from the ATS when running the generator. If you have 120 VAC on both legs, the problem is elsewhere. If you do not have 120 VAC on both legs, then check the input (both legs) to the ATS, while running the generator.

If you have the correct power coming into the ATS and incorrect power outbound from the ATS, the problem is the ATS.