Community Forums

Discal · 08-22-2017, 11:56 PM

We have a 1999 Fleetwood Southwind 36z. Does anyone know where the switch gear for the generator is located? The generator will run but it has no load. I'm wondering if there's a problem with the switch but I don't know where to locate it on this particular RV. I thank you now for any assistance you may be able to give.

powercat_ras · 08-22-2017, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discal

We have a 1999 Fleetwood Southwind 36z. Does anyone know where the switch gear for the generator is located? The generator will run but it has no load. I'm wondering if there's a problem with the switch but I don't know where to locate it on this particular RV. I thank you now for any assistance you may be able to give.

If its an Onan, have you checked to see if the circuit breaker right on the generator has tripped or is in the off position, the generator will still run but won't deliver power to the transfer switch if the on-generator breaker is tripped or got flipped to off.

Mr_D · 08-23-2017, 12:05 AM

Some of the older rigs didn't have a transfer switch, you had to physically change the incoming wire around to a plugin that was wired to the generator.

vsheetz · 08-23-2017, 12:08 AM

There may not be a automatic transfer switch that selects between generator and shore power on that vintage coach. Instead the shore power cord simply plugs into a Jack from the generator.

If there is a transfer switch, follow the shore power cord to find it.

As commented above, there may be circuit breaker(s) on the generator itself that gate power out to the coach.

Rkesselus · 08-23-2017, 04:22 AM

What Generator do you have? ( Make and Model)

Discal · 08-23-2017, 08:08 AM

It is a 5500 Onan, the breakers are good, and it does have a transfer switch. It will switch off of shore power automatically when the generator is started. The voltage regulator was replaced six months ago so at the moment, I will assume that it is working. I just need to locate the switch. As we're have only owned this RV for six months, we are still going through the joys of locating hidden components.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-23-2017, 08:52 AM

Is "the switch" you are looking for the auto transfer switch? If so, follow the shore cord until you reach it. It's either in the compartment where the shore cord comes in, or immediately behind the load center (breaker panel). The other "switch" is the breaker that is on the genset itself, the circuit breaker that somebody else already mentioned.

Rkesselus · 08-23-2017, 10:19 AM

I think that the problem that everyone is haveing trouble with is we don't understand what switch your are looking for. The original post said you had no load. The generator is providing power, the load is the appliance you are providing power to. You say the breakers on the generator or good. Where are you checking for voltage to make that determination. You do say that the Transfer switch is switching from shore to generator. If so are you checking to see if you have voltage to your Converter. If you do you should be checking the breakers at the converter. The converter should be located floor level most likely near the refrigerator.

Eds · 08-23-2017, 09:54 PM

If your generator is making power but it is not getting to the inside of the coach it may be the relay/contractor located behind your breakers/12V fuses. Open the panel and unscrew the 12V fuses and the relay should be behind there. Using an insulated screwdriver operate and see if the coach gets power. Note typically there is a smaller delay relay that operates this one after 15 seconds (to allow generator to get up to speed) and that can also be faulty. Normally in the same area.

I'm assuming you have the Marquis and not the Marquis gold. The Marquis will run even if it is not making any power, if the voltage is low, sub 90v, the relay won't operate

Eds · 08-23-2017, 09:59 PM

Get a multimeter, preferably one with the ability to measure HZ, and ensure the generator is making power, a new regulator is no guarantee that's it's making power.

Discal · 08-25-2017, 08:54 AM

Aha, now we're starting to get somewhere.

Discal · 08-28-2017, 08:13 PM

An expected loss in the family has kept me preoccupied this last week, but I am back now with my further tales of woe.
I found the cubby that held the inverter and transfer switch as seen in the above photo (inverter shown only). I could not find anything that looked out of the ordinary so I went over the generator one more time. I started checking fuses and when I went to replace one of them; which is found in an awkward location, I accidently grounded it out. Now I know that it “used” to be a good fuse by the audible pop and light show. So now I need a fuse. The weekend starts and my wife is eager to get things going because she wants to use the RV as a rolling kitchen while family gathers in town to pay their respects. So Saturday afternoon I finally get a chance to grab some fuses; I get back to the house, pop in the new fuse and fire up the generator. Surprise, surprise, surprise.... Everything is up and running inside.
Now I know some will say it was the fuse but I am not buying that, once I blew the fuse the generator would not start until I replaced it. And before I blew the fuse the generator also ran, so the fuse I believe is out. Rkesselus, you are correct that the generator does not supply a load. I rather poorly was trying to state that there was no load applied to the generator, which could have been fuses, breakers, fairies, at this point I don’t know.
Now I don’t mind admitting that I am sometimes a moron, I prove that every time I leave for work. But it really irks me that after all the time and trouble that I went through I still don’t know what happened or why, so that leaves me destined to live it again. Alas, at least my wife had the kitchen she needed for this weekend.
I am more than receptive to any further theories.