Generator/Electrical
I have a 1994 Winnebago Adventurer with an Onan 5000 generator. I don't have any power when the generator is running, but I do have power when we are plugged in the 110 outlet. I have had the genera...
Forum Discussion
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).
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).
