How to switch?

Question

How do you switch from the power from your home to your generator?
I have a 1999 Class A Sea Breeze.
When I pulled the power plug from the house I was told to plug the RV cord into what I presume is the outlet for the generator. Its in the same compartment. Gen is in next compartment on the other side of the plug in. Start gen then I am suppose to be able to use the Microwave AC electric coffee pot etc.
I do all this but no power to the RV. Day after tomorrow ill pull rv out of starage and plug directly into this out let and see if theres power out of the gen. But for now...
Everything worked off the house power no problems. Ive checked all breakers fuses etc so Im thinking Im missing a sep?
I addressed this in another post but I think Im doing something wrong or leaving a step out that Im not aware of.

How do you switch from one power source to another?

swamp_man · Answer

Get a volt meter and start the generator after you have disconnected from the house power.  Check the outlet in the compartment that you were told to plug into for generator power.  If there isn't power in that outlet check any other outlet in the compartment if none of them have power then the generator has a problem.  Did you see the previous owner plug into the generator outlet?  See if you can find a copy of the owners manual for the generator and see if it tells you where the circuit breaker for the generator is located.  Might be the circuit breaker has opened and needs to be reset.

dsdp_don · Answer

"RodHatter".....Your coach is using a manual connection system that was used for years before the automatic transfer switch became the norm. Your power cord, when used at home or a campground, plugs into power and supplies the coach. That female plug you're seeing in your bay is the same as the campground or house plug, it's just connected to the generator. As a standard procedure, whenever you diconnect from shore power, you should plug into the outlet in your bay.

Now to your issue. Check your generator for a circuit breaker. Often they are tripped or turned off. On my older Fleetwood, I had a switch inside that had to be thrown to get power to that plug in the bay.

rodhatter · Answer

DSDP Don
Don I have a dis-connector in side the front door of the RV it is in the on position and shows batteries have power.
Is there another switch that Im not aware of? I have the book on the gen. It doesnt have anything on this part of trouble shooting. All breakers have been manually tripped and reset. There is 1 fuse and it was changed just to make sure.

Swamp Man
Thats something Im going to try tuesday when I can get the RV back out of storage. Among other ideas I have.
Not sure whats up the previous owner (Gone back to Australia )showed me how he had used the RV but I guess I missed this part or a step?

dsdp_don · Answer

"RodHatter".....Mine had a switch at the base of the bed pedestal, but this was a Fleetwood. I would do as "Swampman" suggested and check for voltage at the plug, but my guess is there won't be any. It sounds like the plug is close to the generator. You need to follow it to the generator and see if there's a switch somewhere in between. If not, you may have a generator issue.

Hopefully someone with a Sea Breeze will jump in with the procedure to turn the generator on. See if you can modify the title of your post to "How To Switch Sea Breeze Generator". There are a lot of Sea Breeze and sister coaches out there because they were well made.

allegrod · Answer

RodHatter,  The 12v kill (disconnect) switch inside your front door is not in this equation.  That is after the 120v enters the coach.  You need to do as outlined above.  Trace the 120v between Gen and your plug in the elec bay.  Is there a (or 2) cb on your gennie?  Check them.  Flip them off and then on.  What Gennie do you have?

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How to switch?

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