Forum Discussion

Kerri's avatar
Kerri
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013

Dry Camping

I must say we had a great time while dry camping for 5 days in Ohio. Learned a great deal really. We just picked up our 2013 Jayco Octane. Found a great spot, started up the genie and odd no power. So went and checked out the manual turned off all beakers and reset them. Once more no power. Went and did it once more, plus outside on the genie. No power. So once more did it all and after about 2-3 minutes power. So is this normal?
The camper while running the genie did just fine. Pulled the air and all lights working. I just thought it was odd. :) Or is this normal?

Thanks for your input on this.
Kerri
Toy Haulers
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2013
    2btowed wrote:
    I'm pretty sure it has a voltage senser that must time out before transfer switch is activated.I know at high altitudes or if it has been awhile (30) days since genny was run it takes about 3-5 minuets.Once motor warms up and runs smooth thus putting out constant current it switchs over.If I am camping and run it once or twice it switches over really quickly,30 to 40 secs.


    Mine does the same. When plugginto shore power it is faster. On the gen it is between3 & 4 min before the gen lights up the trailer.
  • Kerri's avatar
    Kerri
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    Thanks for your feed back. Now that we're home I started it and timed it. I guess it must of felt like 5 minutes.

    Getting ready to dry camp once more over the Labor Day weekend. Sure did enjoy it!!
    Enjoy
  • 2btowed's avatar
    2btowed
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    I'm pretty sure it has a voltage senser that must time out before transfer switch is activated.I know at high altitudes or if it has been awhile (30) days since genny was run it takes about 3-5 minuets.Once motor warms up and runs smooth thus putting out constant current it switchs over.If I am camping and run it once or twice it switches over really quickly,30 to 40 secs.
  • tmm2good's avatar
    tmm2good
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    Yea, mine only takes 30 seconds or so for the transfer swith to activate.
  • BobWanderer's avatar
    BobWanderer
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    Between my transfer switch and surge protector, it does take some time before it powers up.
    NOT 4 mins though, it might seem like that long when D W wants to use the microwave.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Aug 17, 2013
    GENECOP wrote:
    Sounds like a faulty transfer switch....

    Actually it sounds like a properly working transfer switch which has a time delay before it connects.
    OP, sounds normal as mine has a 30 second delay on both shore and generator power.
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Aug 17, 2013
    Mine has a 4 min delay. perfectly normal. Glad you had a good time. This labor day I will be in a campground for the first time ever (15 yrs). Not sure I'll like it but with hunting season dry camping is out because the season opens the week before the holiday. They just moved the season start date last year. Sucks.
  • mpierce's avatar
    mpierce
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    Mine takes a couple minutes before power comes on. I think it is to let engine warm up, ready for load.
  • big_buford's avatar
    big_buford
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    Dont know what your rig came with but many have a transfer switch that switches from shore power to genny. When switching to the gen circuit there is a time delay to allow the gen to stabilize before switching power on. Maybe you werent waiting long enough ? Have never timed mine but it's 20-30 seconds before power is supplied.

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