Forum Discussion

Rayfry's avatar
Rayfry
Explorer
Sep 29, 2020

Generator

I have a 2002 Fleetwood Flair. The generator runs but doesn’t power anything. What could be the problem. New to RVing.

7 Replies

  • Go here to download your owners manual

    Fleetwood owner manuals

    Select year and model and then click download button, PDF file, read on PC, tablet or smart phone

    Info is in section 8
    According to the manual
    You have to plug the shore cord into the socket in the cord storage compartment
    This is a manual transfer, and completely fool proof, plug cord in, Before starting generator
  • Most likely breaker on the generator output or the transfer switch.
    Some older RVs you need to actually plug your main cord into the generator power connector.
  • Consider a solar system...the easy way to recharge when camping and when in storage.
  • way2roll wrote:
    jdc1 wrote:
    Breaker.


    More specifically, look for a breaker or set of breakers on the Genset.

    When you find the breakers, turn them off and back on. Don't just look at them to see if they are kicked off.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer III
    A few possibilities:

    1. Circuit breaker(s) on the generator have tripped. Sometimes these trip without the handle appreciably moving out of the "on" position, so the best way to verify is to reset even if the appear untripped. Obviously the precise location of the circuit breaker(s) vary with generator model.

    2. If you don't have an automatic transfer switch, the shore power cord is not plugged into the generator socket within its storage compartment. I'd guess you have a transfer switch, though.

    3. If you have an automatic transfer switch, maybe you just aren't waiting long enough for it to switch over (typically 30 seconds or so). If there's some sort of an EMS it may have an initial connection delay of its own too, possibly a couple of minutes.

    4. A wiring fault/broken connection between the generator and the transfer switch/socket, or a broken transfer switch, etc. If you have a fancy EMS (electrical management system), possibly it's malfunctioning or improperly configured.

    Usually, if the generator itself is not producing power, its control board will shut the engine down with a fault. Since the electrical system (presumably) is working when using a shore power connection, the problem logically must be something in between the generator and the power distribution panel.
  • jdc1 wrote:
    Breaker.


    More specifically, look for a breaker or set of breakers on the Genset.