I have purchased a 2013 Raptor 27ft Toy Hauler. Have enjoyed it for a 6 months - no issues. I made a mistake - Not sure if I made the mistake but - the issue is that I went to a RV park - with electrical service - and I have been to one other park with electrical service and connected successfully - no problems. What occurred is this... the generator was running - providing power to the camper - I plugged in the 125v/30A power cord to the camper while the generator was running. Instantly - I heard a loud "pop" and I noticed the lights (thus the power to the camper) went off. The generator was still running - but no power. I discovered the power converter board (wfco wf-8955 rv power center converter) the bulk caps had been blown apart. the two 30 amp breakers on the panel were tripped. obviously at this point... shut everything down and go about replacing the power converter board. I have purchased a new same make/model power converter and plan to install it. However my question is ... A) what else could have been damaged? - anything? Blown fuses - I understand - but not being familiar with the electrical layout of the RV - I need to locate all other items that may have been damaged. and B) did I do wrong by hooking up with the generator running? Thanks.

No - you didn't do anything wrong. You should be able to start the generator while plugged in, and plug in while the generator is running. The transfer switch isolates the 2. Plugging in while the generator is running shouldn't do anything - it will continue to use the generator power until it's shut off and then switch to the shore power. Something didn't function properly. My rig is very old so I can't help you troubleshoot other than to say that should not have happened.EDIT: I'm assuming this was an on-board generator installed by the manufacturer and equipped with a transfer switch.

The transfer switch failed. Everything in the RV that runs on 120 volts may be suspect.The generator may be toast as well.Time to call the insurance company. This may NOT be cheap to fix.

You most certainly did do something wrong, as evidenced by the damage. (Which is not to say that there is any fault on your part.) There is supposed to be transfer switch that will not allow you to plug in while the generator is running, or rather to make sure both the generator and the shore power never meet one another. So I'm not sure what actually happened.If you plug in the generator to shore power while the former is running, you can destroy the generator. Since it appears that shore power and generator power met one another, you will need to check for damage of the generator, too. Hopefully all that damage occurred at the power converter. But then I'd also try to find out why the transfer switch did not isolate things properly.

Thanks... I will start troubleshooting and go from there. I was hoping that it would not be bad ...but ...

This is why I always unplug from shore power before I start the generator, just in case.Please, keep us updated on the progress of your repairs.

Possible electrical damage - new to RVing | Good Sam Community

gbopp
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
This is why I always unplug from shore power before I start the generator, just in case.

Please, keep us updated on the progress of your repairs.
Fredward
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
Thanks... I will start troubleshooting and go from there.
I was hoping that it would not be bad ...but ...
naturist
Nomad
Jan 28, 2017
You most certainly did do something wrong, as evidenced by the damage. (Which is not to say that there is any fault on your part.) There is supposed to be transfer switch that will not allow you to plug in while the generator is running, or rather to make sure both the generator and the shore power never meet one another. So I'm not sure what actually happened.

If you plug in the generator to shore power while the former is running, you can destroy the generator. Since it appears that shore power and generator power met one another, you will need to check for damage of the generator, too. Hopefully all that damage occurred at the power converter. But then I'd also try to find out why the transfer switch did not isolate things properly.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 28, 2017
The transfer switch failed. Everything in the RV that runs on 120 volts may be suspect.

The generator may be toast as well.

Time to call the insurance company. This may NOT be cheap to fix.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Jan 28, 2017
No - you didn't do anything wrong. You should be able to start the generator while plugged in, and plug in while the generator is running. The transfer switch isolates the 2. Plugging in while the generator is running shouldn't do anything - it will continue to use the generator power until it's shut off and then switch to the shore power. Something didn't function properly. My rig is very old so I can't help you troubleshoot other than to say that should not have happened.

EDIT: I'm assuming this was an on-board generator installed by the manufacturer and equipped with a transfer switch.

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