help! half of the bus without electricity!

[ConnorE]

My family and I are on our maiden voyage with our 2006 Monaco 40pdq and half of the bus doesn't have electric! The rear a/c, microwave, refrigerator, and tv are the things that I have noticed are not working. We've reset all the breakers in the back, the breaker on the electric post, and even started the generator and none have fixed the problem. Is there a secret switch we have to flip or something? We're on 50 amp power now and ran 30 amp power at home and everything seemed to work fine. The electric panel says that we are on 50 amp power but does not say how many amps we are drawing but has all of the indicator lights lit up as if it has power to everything. I'm starting to think we're in wayyyyy over our heads. Thanks!

[trackman]

Check all the plug in receptacles for a red button that probably has tripped.would be in the center of the plug.

[Melmoses]

I know nothing about your coach but some things are common to all. You should have a transfer switch in the area where the power cable goes into the coach. Unplug the coach and tap on the transfer switch (gently). Then plug the coach back in and listen for a click which indicates power has passed thru the transfer switch. Do you have anything like a Surge Guard or Progressive Industries unit on your coach? These will tell you if power is getting through to the coach and protect the coach from power spikes, low power or high power. If not and this doesn't change anything, then the next thing to consider is the inverter (or converter maybe if you have that).

Our inverter has two "phone cables". Unplug the cables and then replug them. This can reset the inverter through which power for those things go. If this doesn't cure it, then I would suggest that you might have a bad transfer switch which would require a technician unless you are electrically minded. It requires opening the transfer box and examining the wiring for burned or lose wires. I hope this helps you.

I don't think it is a GFCI causing that many things not to work.

[JimmyLeggett]

Originally Posted by ConnorE

My family and I are on our maiden voyage with our 2006 Monaco 40pdq and half of the bus doesn't have electric! The rear a/c, microwave, refrigerator, and tv are the things that I have noticed are not working. We've reset all the breakers in the back, the breaker on the electric post, and even started the generator and none have fixed the problem. Is there a secret switch we have to flip or something? We're on 50 amp power now and ran 30 amp power at home and everything seemed to work fine. The electric panel says that we are on 50 amp power but does not say how many amps we are drawing but has all of the indicator lights lit up as if it has power to everything. I'm starting to think we're in wayyyyy over our heads. Thanks!

I had a similiar problem couple of weeks ago. Found the GFCI in the bath had tripped, re-set and bingo there was power.

[Theberrys]

Check the breakers on your inverter there are two one each for half the coach.

Dick

[YC1]

Find your large inverter charger and reset the popped circuit breaker. There should be two.

And yes those are secret switches. I can't say this is 100% your problem bu comes up often.

[Rodneykrantz]

You might have a leg out on the plug see if both legs are hot at the plug
or crank the gen and see if you have power

[Heater]

Originally Posted by Melmoses

I know nothing about your coach but some things are common to all. You should have a transfer switch in the area where the power cable goes into the coach. Unplug the coach and tap on the transfer switch (gently). Then plug the coach back in and listen for a click which indicates power has passed thru the transfer switch. Do you have anything like a Surge Guard or Progressive Industries unit on your coach? These will tell you if power is getting through to the coach and protect the coach from power spikes, low power or high power. If not and this doesn't change anything, then the next thing to consider is the inverter (or converter maybe if you have that).

Our inverter has two "phone cables". Unplug the cables and then replug them. This can reset the inverter through which power for those things go. If this doesn't cure it, then I would suggest that you might have a bad transfer switch which would require a technician unless you are electrically minded. It requires opening the transfer box and examining the wiring for burned or lose wires. I hope this helps you.

I don't think it is a GFCI causing that many things not to work.

X2 had the same problem with my transfer switch. I had a burnt wire on one leg. Replaced the wire and no problems

[wa8yxm]

Is your coach 30 or 50 amp (Rear AC, I'm guessing 50 amp)

Are you running on generator or shore power?

These are steps on the path to knowledge.

On a 50 amp coach you actually have two not entierly independent AC power systems. One runs the FRONT air conditioner, one the rear, together they form a 120/240 volt electrical system same as you have in most houses. We only use 120 volts though.

This is done via a bit of electromagnatic magic called a center tap. But no need to give a full course in electricity here.. Just think of it as two legs of a 3 legged stool. The 3 legs are L-1, L-2 and Neutral (common to both)

If, you are on shore power: Is the park delivering power to both legs (50 amp) Using a volt meter check sides to top (Flat blades) should be 120/120 (across the outlet is 240)

IF you are using a dog bone, run same test at the 50 amp outlet, (Across is zero here)

If that is good find your transfer switch Again you should se L-1/Neutral or L-2/neutral voltage of 120/120 Check the output, Now go to your breaker box, The TWO MAIN breakers to the neutral bus, 120/120, are both breakers fully ON, (Cycle to be sure)

From there it starts to get tricky.

I will say may RVers have a few screws loose, Inside that power distribution box is a common location for loose screws. (The metal kind, a #2 Square bit worked best with mine, might or might not with yours)

[La-Z-Boy]

Had this happen to me once on a long trip...
My transfer switch went out so I went to the big box hardware store and bought a 50a dryer receptacle. Then I unhooked the generator from the transfer switch and wired it to the recpt. Unhooked the 50a shore cord from the other side of the transfer switch and used wire nuts to connect it to house wires that feed breaker panel.
When camping just plug in as normal...
When traveling just plug into what is now your generator receptacle!
Got me through the trip till I could get back home
Hope this helps... Good luck
Jeff

[ConnorE]

Hi everyone, we had a park technician guy come out (we're at lazydays) and it was actually one of the breakers at the power outlet that was bad. It was supplying us with only half of the 50 amp load. He switched it out and we had the ac's blasting at 68 all night long! Thanks for everyone's help!

[YC1]

Interesting. When you ran your generator was the shoreline disconnected? Just curious.

[mrcandml]

ConnerE...very glad you're back in biz and out of the darkness!!!!!