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JavaandJazz's avatar
JavaandJazz
Explorer
Apr 07, 2016

Electrical question

I just bought a 2006 fleetwood southwind, this is my 1st class A RV and have had it for less than a week.
I am not getting power to half of my panel. I swapped the wiring on the 50 amp double breaker to make sure it was working and all circuits came on for that half, and the top side was out. I was plugged into a 50 amp plug in and same thing. Right now I only have 20 amps to it until I get a 50 amp receptical put in. I am thinking that the problem may be in the 'box' that changes from shore power to generator power.
How would I check that or any suggestions to fix this would be appreciated

Thanks in advance, Paula
Class A
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2016
    20 amp connection is basically a house-type plug.

    So, with a 50 amp shore power cord you need:
    15/20 male to 30 female adapter
    30 male to 50 female adapter

    The 30 to 50 combines the two hots on the 50 amp side to the single hot on the 30 amp side.

    SO, even with just these standard adapters, everything should work, though obivously limited to 20 amps instead of 100 amps (2 times 50 amps for RV 50).
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Apr 07, 2016
    The fifty amp that you tried rig in, was a fifty amp four wire? Is it wired correctly.
    The "box" is called a "transfer switch".
    Some 50 amp adapters to connect to 30 and then to 15/20 do not jumper L1 and L2.
    Test one: start the genset and see if all circuits work.
    Test two: locate transfer switch and check the power sources there with good volt meter. You should have 240 volts between the two parallel blades and 120 between each of the parallel blades and the end blade.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Apr 07, 2016
    Find your inverter in the basement and check to see if ONE of the circuit breakers on it as tripped. These breakers are on the inverter itself and have nothing to do with your electrical panel.
    Check to make sure that there are no GFI circuit outlets that have tripped. You probably have two in your coach.
    If they are not tripped, check the voltage in and the voltage out of each side of your 50 amp breaker in your main panel.
    If one side does not have voltage in, you MAY have a bad transfer switch or a bad plug on your power cord.
    If one side does not have power out, you MAY have a bad 50 amp circuit breaker.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2016
    My replays in SOLID LETTER CAPS (no, not yelling)

    enblethen wrote:
    The fifty amp that you tried rig in, was a fifty amp four wire? Is it wired correctly.
    The "box" is called a "transfer switch".
    Some 50 amp adapters to connect to 30 and then to 15/20 do not jumper L1 and L2. NEVER SEEN A 30 MALE TO 50 FEMALE ADAPTER THAT DID NOT CONNECT THE SINGLE HOT ON THE 30 AMP SIDE TO BOTH HOTS ON THE 50 AMP SIDE. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LINK TO THAT ONE (AND A REASON FOR EVERY BUYING IT!).

    Test one: start the genset and see if all circuits work.

    Test two: locate transfer switch and check the power sources there with good volt meter. You should have 240 volts between the two parallel blades and 120 between each of the parallel blades and the end blade. YES, IF PLUGGED INTO A 50 AMP, SHOULD HAVE 240 VAC BETWEEN L1 AND L2 (THE TWO OUTER STRAIGHTS). BUT IF ON A 15/20 OR 30 AMP SHORE POWER WITH ADAPTER, L1 TO L2 WILL READ ZERO. EITHER L1 OR L2 TO NEUTRAL (WHITE WIRE) SHOULD BE 120 VAC. IF SOME STUFF IS NOT WORKING, SUSPECT ONE OF THOSE HOTS TO NEUTRAL WILL NOT BE 0 VAC
  • JavaandJazz's avatar
    JavaandJazz
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2016
    Quick thank you for suggestions,
    The 50 amp was a 4 wire.
    I ran the genset with same results.
    I swapped the hot (red and black) wires to the 50 amp breaker to make sure the breaker is good. Black is hot red is not.
    I have all the adapters to go from 50amp 4 wire down to 15/20 amp regular plug. I will put at least a 30 amp plug for the RV soon.
    I will find the inverter and check the fuses....Thanks again!
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Apr 07, 2016
    You could have a tripped partial 50 amp main.
    Turn off all brakes applying light pressure toward off. Turn on main, then branch breakers one at a time.
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    Apr 07, 2016
    Lets try this. Unplug shore power and with the breakers on the generator tripped (just to in case it somehow starts) go the transfer switch and the breaker panel ensuring ALL the wire camps are tight.

    If everything is tight but still missing half the bus head on down to you local big box store and pick up one of THESE. If you have a meter already then just get non-contact voltage tester. Makes chasing lost AC power very easy.

    When you start digging into the transfer switch there might be a wiring diagram on the cover which will help.
  • JavaandJazz's avatar
    JavaandJazz
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    I found the converter under the frig
    and I know the transfer switch is in the bottom of the dresser in the bedroom,
    but I did not see an inverter anywhere...any idea where it would be?

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