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chrisgoforth · 06-13-2017, 08:07 PM

I'm going to condense this as much as possible. We have now owned our 2012 Newmar Canyon Star for a year. We have gone lots of places and we are having fun but it's been a bit of a rough ride. Shortly after we got it the microwave stopped working so we took it back to where we bought it and they found a faulty outlet. It worked when we first got it and it suddenly just died. I thought it was a little odd but didn't give it much thought. Not long after that the transfer unit for the generator died. One of the relays froze up. No biggie we had bought an extended warranty so it was all covered. Then in October the generator stopped producing power and the rear A/C unit started tripping the breaker. We got in touch with the shop and because it was the end of October we decided to wait until March to get everything looked at. No biggie since it was winter we could wait.
In January we get a phone call from the state police because someone broke into the RV that was in storage by breaking a window. The destroyed 3 TV's trying to get them off the wall, stole 1 satellite receiver, a couple of blankets, my walking dead board game, and the remote to the sleep number bed. Side note, if someone steals the remote to your sleep number bed and that model isn't made anymore you have to buy a whole new pump. Cost? $400. Most expensive remote ever!!
So now it has to go to the shop sooner. Luckily the break in only cost my $500 deductible. The shop starts doing everything from the break-in plus some repair and maintenance items we needed. Fast forward to May, yes they had it that long, they found a melted controller on the generator and a bad stator. They also had to replace the entire A/C unit because it "fried".
So, finally, my question is could the bad stator on the generator have caused the other electrical issues or is it all just coincidence or should we be looking for other issues?
Oh and if anyone wants to know if insurance and extended warranties are useful the entire bill was just over $11,000 but we paid $2,200. I'm still hearing from the wife "told you the warranty was worth it". [emoji23][emoji23]

BFlinn181 · 06-13-2017, 08:46 PM

If you used the generator a lot for running the A/C, it might be the cause of the bad A/C, perhaps the Auto Transfer Switch too. The other things, besides the break in, are most likely just the fun of RVing.

One suggestion, you should install a Progressive Ind. Electrical Management System (EMS) also available at Amazon.

Install it right before the breaker panel, so it monitors and protects against bad power from shore cord and the generator.

A bad campground pedestal can ruin a bunch of your electrical devices in a split second. An EMS shuts off the power if it's outside preset parameters. The great thing about the PI EMS is the lifetime replacement/repair warranty. The surge protection part of the EMS will sacrifice itself in a strong power surge. PI will repair or replace it. Other brands, after a year's warranty, you've got to buy a new one.

chrisgoforth · 06-13-2017, 09:29 PM

I am going to have to look at doing that. I'm guessing I could wire that in right behind the transfer switch? It's easier to get to than the inner workings of the breaker box.

BFlinn181 · 06-13-2017, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisgoforth

I am going to have to look at doing that. I'm guessing I could wire that in right behind the transfer switch? It's easier to get to than the inner workings of the breaker box.

That would protect everything but the transfer switch. That's really the only place to protect on both shore and generator power, between the ATS and the breaker box.

Driveby · 06-15-2017, 12:19 PM

It does sound suspiciously like that was the issue. Bad/inconsistent power and electronics make for random bad things like you describe. For sure get the PI EMS. Safest move for you for sure.