Generator/Electrical

If you are handy you can install a transfer switch. I am going to install one in my 1982 HR and it will be much better than unplugging and plugging in.

The last thing you need to be is embarrassed. The one thing we ALL have in common here is that at one time we were ALL new to RV'ing and motor homes.

There is no switch and with all your helpful comments the problem was an easy fix! Thanks everyone for all your help!! Oh and did I say we are new to motorhomes and now slightly embarrassed! :-)

vtbigdog wrote:
There may be two breakers on your inverter that may be tripped.

if that was the case then u would not have proper power while on shore power.OP indicates hes only without power when gen set is run

If Your generator was not putting out, the transfer switch would Not switch and you would still have shore power.
Jerry

On my 96, the shore power cable has to be plugged into the generator power socket. No transfer switch. I would assume a 94 would be the same way.

OP, you are plugging the shore power cord into the generator, right? If not, that is likely your problem.

Did the 94 winnie's come with a transfer switch or does the SP cable have to be plugged into the generator to get generator power to the coach. I think '94s are on the cusp of having xfer switches integrated into the coaches. JM2¢...

Like mentioned, the number one cause of this symptom is the two breakers on the Genset itself.

Assuming you have a 30Amp rig, the genset's breakers feed a 120V relay, known as a Transfer Switch, the coil of which is wired across the two wires (neutral and hot - N&H). The N&H are also wired to two contacts in a normally open circuit. The shore power N&H are wired to the set of normally closed contacts. The center poles (the movable contacts) are wired to the CB panel of the RV.

So, if you're not getting power from the genset, but you are from shore power, that just means that the Transfer Switch (aka: a relay, 2 pole, double throw, break before make) is not getting power. This can be as simple as the gensets breakers not closed, or a broken wire, or a bad coil in the Transfer switch.

Transfer switches are almost always located VERY NEAR THE BREAKER PANEL. Sometimes alongside, sometime behind. This reduces the length of the heavy gauge wire required. FYI, they are often inside a 4" X 4" metal box screwed to the breaker box.

The transfer switch, to my knowledge, only operates when the genset is producing power and it's getting all the way up to it.

If your breakers on the genset are fine, check the wire nuts inside that metal box on the wall of the genset compartment. You might have an open circuit there. I they are OK, find the transfer switch and again, check connections, if they are OK, check that the coil has continuity (unplug shore power).

If you don't have any power with Gen, then your transfer switch is switching like it should. Your problem is downstream.

Exact location......no

But the wires from shore power and the wires from generator will both go to a 'box' then to your AC panel.

Sounds like the transfer switch is stuck on shore power.......burnt contacts/bad relays in transfer switch.