onan Micro Quiet Generator

Well here is an updated. I disconnected the generator leads liked u asked at the Ats switch the issue was still there. I than tested the wires like u asked and didn't see a huge issue. I than rembered that there was a junction boxed right above the generator. I took and separated the wires that lead from the generator to the wiring going to the Ats switch. I than started the generator and the issue is still there. So in my opinion the issue doesn't appear to be in the wiring as it was disconnected from the generator. What do u think I might try next I am totally at a loss. Thanks for the help u have been amazing with all the help

Very cool thank you so much for all your help. I will try this tonight when I get home.

One more comment. I'm still concerned we're going down the wrong road thinking that the gen is shutting down due to an overload. If I was there, I'm pretty sure I could tell if the gen was shutting down due to a short overload. The gen would bog down quickly, and it's likely there'd be a spark as I threw the gen breaker on. Can you tell if that's what's happening - an overload type issue? It's hard to come up with other type problems that match your reported symptoms, but not impossible. The gen probably has remote start/stop. You might even have autostart/stop on the gen. There could be problems with those that show up only when power is on.

Still, I'd be ruling out the ATS first, since you've done most of the work needed.

ashlatz wrote:
Awesome I will try this . The model of the Ats switch is a Parallax power supply Ats 301

I looked it up. You might want to try just disconnecting the gen leads from the ATS and put a wire nut on the ends for safety. That looks easy.

The gen should run with the gen breaker on if your problem is in the ATS or beyond it. If the gen won't run with the gen breaker on after disconnecting it from the ATS, the problem is in the gen or its breaker (or the lead to the ATS).

1)If it runs, reconnect the ATS, disconnect the RV and shore power leads from the ATS, and try again. If the gen shuts down, the ATS is at fault.

2)If it doesn't run, inspect the wires from the gen to the ATS again, and if they look good, turn off the gen breaker and test the hot neutral resistance with your meter - they should not show connection. If they do, it's the wires from the gen to the ATS.

Awesome I will try this . The model of the Ats switch is a
Parallax power supply Ats 301

ashlatz wrote:
How do I test the Ats switch to see if it's bad

You start by just looking at it - closely. Do all the connections and wires look good? Are any burned and black? Are there any broken parts that would allow a short? Does the contactor/relay move freely? Is anything melted?

With the Main RV master breaker off (ATS output), and the shore power unplugged (ATS input 1), and the RV breaker off (ATS input 2), try checking the resistance between hot (usually black or red) and neutral (white). Do that on both sides of the ATS input and on the output. This test may be tricky to interpret, as there will be a coil on the relay/contactor that will be across those lines so that when power is applied to one side, it throws the ATS. The coil will have something above 50 ohms DC resistance measured by your meter, probably closer to a few K ohms. Anything less would be a short.

If you have trouble interpreting it, you may need to disconnect the relay/contactor coil and check again. With the relay coil disconnected, the hot should have infinite resistance to the neutral. Try throwing the relay manually and check that way, too.
BTW, is this a 50A service or 30A. The ATSs are different.

It's tricky helping without knowing the ATS model. If you have photos, or a model it would probably help. I would usually expect a true short inside the ATS - one that would cause the gen to shut down to produce lots of burned stuff that would be easy to spot.

I hope we aren't sending you on a goose chase, but with your symptoms, the ATS (and the possible damaged wire on the gen input or ATS output) seem like your best options.

How do I test the Ats switch to see if it's bad

Your unit will not run. Unless it is making AC. The ATS would be where I would start looking. Also if you can check the wiring from the genset to the ATS. I worked on a horse trailer where the wiring had been cut into by the metal of the trailer.

I should of put what do I check and what are the steps to check it. Thanks again

Ok it wasn't easy to get at the breaker on the generator I was able to access the Ats switch . I have the cover off and I think I smell burned but not 100 % sure . With the cover off what should I be checking to see if the Ats is bad thank you again for all your help so far it has been greatly appreciated