Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class A Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-30-2018, 01:31 PM   #1
Member
 
mar000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 45
Complete power loss (12 and 120 volt) and transfer switch experience

Thought I would document this problem in case it could help out others.

Went out for lunch while at a campground. Came back a few hours later to find the step cover deployed and zero power (12 or 120 volts).

Turned on the ignition switch to retract the step cover, all lights and power came back.

Turned ignition off all was gone again. Gen would not start. Turned ignition back on and started the Gen. as soon that the key was off Gen stopped.

Steps taken:
1. Tested voltage in campsite 50 amp pedestal. All was good.
2. Since I had changed the batteries a few weeks ago, started there. Tested the current on main
terminals (+&-) go 12 volts. Followed to positive from the battery bank to a black rubber cover
and discovered this.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4546.jpg
Views:	59
Size:	316.4 KB
ID:	217009

There was 12 volt on the bottom but not on top. So used a ratchet to see if I could loosen the bolts.
One slight turn and all power cam back. Then went off again. So I had to undo this and it took some time. Found a fuse under this that was broken.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4551.jpg
Views:	62
Size:	376.0 KB
ID:	217010Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4552.jpg
Views:	74
Size:	369.7 KB
ID:	217011

Spoke to Tiffin they said bypass for now but don’t delay in replacing. Also said check that wires were not getting hot. They weren’t.

Once this was done, I thought my work here is done. Oh but no, there is more...

3. Noticed that system was now inverting as opposed to charging and floating when plugged into shore power. Opened the load (breaker) panel and tested for power. Got 121 volts from white and black and no voltage from white and red. Checked the shore power pedestal again, all good. Followed the shore power cord into the compartment to the automatic transfer switch. Intimidating at first, but fairly basic wiring and switches that change from shore and generator power. Tested power under the shore power cord in the box all good. Tested power leaving the box to the panel no power on red.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4545.jpg
Views:	70
Size:	380.5 KB
ID:	217012

Asked the wife to plug and unplug the shore power a few times so I could observe what was happing. Black wire side was moving, red was stuck. Noticed black stuff on the contacts, sanded with 400 grit, fixed the problem for 5 minutes. Then I noticed that the red side of the mechanism had overheated. And eventually found that the switch was broken.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0697.jpg
Views:	72
Size:	268.4 KB
ID:	217013

It was 9:30 PM by then. Shut off all items consuming power except the fridge. Went to bed. Woke up to low battery alarm, and Gen wasn’t going to make a difference given problem was on the power out side of the switch.

4. Then it occurred to me that I could perhaps bypass the transfer switch. In the morning I called Tiffin’s electrical guy, he said yep, you can bypas, so I disconnected the shore power wire and load panel wire and connected them together with wire nuts and electrical tape, power issue resolved.

Before making the connection, I shut off the following: 12 volt coach switch, 12 volt battery bank disconnect switch, inverter power switch, 50 amp main breaker. Turned these on one at a time starting with pedestal power, checked for heat smoke, them did same at 50 amp breaker and so on.

5. Ordered a new transfer switch that I hope to have tomorrow to finish off the job.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0694.JPG
Views:	59
Size:	268.9 KB
ID:	217014

My theory on the transfer switch is as follows:
I. Too often we shut down the AC before re-configuring the 3 until to off in the thermostat
program, when we fire off, high demand creates an arc that weakens the switch over time. I
now plan on shutting off all major power draws before connecting to shore power or Gen.
II. We went to a camp ground with a 50 amp plug that in the end kept tripping breakers and
causing AC units to make a lot of noise. Found out later that the neighbor and I actually shared 30 amps between the two, that did a number on the switch and eventually it failed.
mar000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 08-30-2018, 08:44 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
The owners manual( mine anyway) states what you found. Always turn off high-demand loads before switching power sources.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA." My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
power, switch, transfer switch



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Converter: 120 volt vs 12 Volt Magnafique Vintage RV's 16 11-07-2017 02:20 PM
12 volt to 120 volt ground tinstar 1114 Monaco Owner's Forum 4 09-21-2017 07:59 PM
120 volt ac transfer switch larry koenn Monaco Owner's Forum 7 03-03-2016 06:39 PM
120 volt partial power loss Vaflatlander Class A Motorhome Discussions 5 05-22-2014 07:37 AM
120 volt partial power loss Vaflatlander Class A Motorhome Discussions 2 05-22-2014 01:53 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.