Calss C motorhome - On board ONAN generator

My class c has a transfer switch and once when i was plugged in to shore power I started my gen. When I went to unplug from shore my transfer switch got stuck to shore power. I tried for a few day to get it unstuck and could not get it to switch back to gen power. Then all of sudden one day it worked.

I heard that transfer switches can stuck sometimes but i don't know if me being plugged in to shore at the same time had anything to do with it sticking. I don't do it any more, since then i always unplug first. Better safe then sorry.

bukhrn wrote:
My '07 has an ATS, & glad of it, I just don't like the idea of that "plug & play" system. Just seems like an unnecessary PITA.

Well let's see.......
When you unplug the cord from the shore power pole, what do you do with it ?? We do the same thing, coil it up in a compartment but the last two seconds is consumed by plugging it into the generator outlet.
Yep a real hassle.....not. ;)

OLYLEN wrote:
I would say most C's past about 2000 have a transfer switch if a Gen was installed. But you could be the plug and play. I turn off the breakers at the service pole just in case. Turn off all loads, start Gen, after Gen stablizes add load. Doesn't matter why, he the OP asked a question, he does not need to justify.

LEN

ALL Winnebago View and Navion models, right up to current production, use the outlet and plug method. I suspect that other models, such as the Minnie Winnie also do, but I have not bothered to look at the wiring diagrams to see for sure.

Charles
2007 Winnebago View 523H on a 2006 Dodge (Daimler-Chrysler aka Mercedes) Sprinter 3500 chassis (T1N). Bought Sept 2015 with 18K miles on it, Prog Ind HW30C, Prog Dymanics PD4645, Chill Grille, PML/Yourcovers.com deep alum trans pan, AutoMeter 8558 trans temp gauge, Roadmaster sway bar, Fantastic Ultra Breeze hood, added OEM parabolic mirrors and RH aspherical mirror.

Sam Spade wrote:

bukhrn wrote:
My '07 has an ATS, & glad of it, I just don't like the idea of that "plug & play" system. Just seems like an unnecessary PITA.

Well let's see.......
When you unplug the cord from the shore power pole, what do you do with it ?? We do the same thing, coil it up in a compartment but the last two seconds is consumed by plugging it into the generator outlet.
Yep a real hassle.....not. ;)

It is for me as I don't have to do anything, other than hit the Start switch, whether plugged in or not.
When boondocking or dry camping, I don't unwind the power cord or have to plug it into the generator. If it is plugged into a power pedestal, I can still start the generator without unhooking.

bukhrn wrote:
If it is plugged into a power pedestal, I can still start the generator without unhooking.

Why would you need the generator when plugged in?:?:h

My Minni Winni has a transfer switch 2004. It is different most all the rigs I am around have transfer switchs and others the reverse.

LEN

Looking at 2004 WBO products, Vista, Minnie, and Sightseer have receptacle and plug, all others are ATS.

For 2009 the Access, View, Outlook, Aspect, Vista, and Sightseer all are plug and receptacle. All others are ATS.

So it is a mix but you can easily say that the plug and receptacle is a fairly common design, that works rather well.

Charles

IAMICHABOD wrote:

bukhrn wrote:
If it is plugged into a power pedestal, I can still start the generator without unhooking.

Why would you need the generator when plugged in?:?:h

I normally don't when in a campground, at home it stays plugged in, but once every month, I go out & exercise the generator.

My Coachmen has the requirement to plug the power cord into either the pedestal or the generator. I have no problem with having to change from one to the other.
My previous Gulf Stream had an Automatic Transfer Switch and the only problem I experienced with it happened during cold weather when the ATS took its jolly time to switch because the switch is thermally activated.

I don't mind not having a transfer switch, one less thing to go bad.
I unplug my EMS-PT30C from the post and plug it into the outlet in the power bay I have to store the EMS-PT30C anyway so why not just leave it all together. It also protects the RV from the generator while it is coming up to speed. Once the EMS-PT30C test the input power and senses the proper voltage it releases it to the RV.

Something else to consider, when using a 15 amp service use the EMS-PT30C it will monitor the power and save you from potential brown out situations. The EMS automatically shuts down power to your RV if any of these faults occur.

Easy to read Error Code Chart:
E-0 Normal Condition
E-1 Reverse Polarity Condition (hot and neutral wires reversed)
E-2 Open Ground (means no ground wire connection)
E-3 Line Voltage High (line voltage above 132)
E-4 Line Voltage Low (line voltage below 104)
E-7 Line Frequency High (line frequency above 69 cycles per Second)
E-8 Line Frequency Low (line frequency below 51 cycles per Second)
E10 Replace surge protector module