Forum Discussion

Danger_Zone's avatar
Danger_Zone
Explorer
Feb 04, 2021

Wiring Disaster

I recently overloaded my system. Afterwards, the generator would power on but my outlets, roof AC, and microwave had stop working. I took my RV to a “specialist” and it was a big mistake. I quickly realized that this mechanic didn’t know what he was doing. Since the generator was running, but not providing power he said he had to change the 12v 120 White-Rogers solenoid, and a 40 amp circuit breaker. While I was waiting I heard him scream. He stumbled out the RV and said he shocked himself. I asked him if he disconnected both batteries and he said no, only the house battery. He then said I didn’t have to pay him and he didn’t feel comfortable touching the RV again because he was badly shocked. When I got back into the RV I noticed wires incorrectly hooked up and my generator would not start. From a picture that I had took months earlier, I was able to figure out where some of the wires went, but there are three wires I am unsure about. I have tried a few combinations but I have not had much luck getting the generator to start. The generator lights up but now it trips the breakers every time I try to start it. Everything else works in the house part. I have not been able to find any house battery wiring diagrams that explain what goes into each circuit breaker.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2021
    Assuming these are breakers for the 120V AC system, you plainly have some sort of a short circuit there, such as a miswired transfer switch or (if you have to plug the shore power cord into a generator socket) a miswired generator socket, and perhaps some other AC wiring problems as well.

    Frankly, I don't think this is something that is practical to troubleshoot and diagnose safely over an internet discussion forum. I very strongly suggest you find an electrician or at least someone who is very well versed in AC wiring to help you out. It would be well to double-check that the AC ground wiring is intact and not somehow improperly interconnected with the hot or neutral lines.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Feb 04, 2021
    X2 Drew. I'd be inclined to get an experienced RV repair preson who is familiar with your rig. Many electricians are not familiar with either RV 12V DC or even RV AC systems just like many RV techinicans aren't familiar with AC.

    You don't have to pay him - REALLY??? I'd be looking to the pros and cons of HIM PAYING all of your repair costs. Just in case start a log and pictures.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2021
    A generator is a generator.
    Anyone who rents anything from 10,000 watts to 1 megawatt gas knowledgable repair people. I would need 20,000 words to erect an analysis troubleshooter which is just too lengthy.
    It may be something as simple as a grounded neutral.
  • HTElectrical's avatar
    HTElectrical
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2021
    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    A generator is a generator.
    Anyone who rents anything from 10,000 watts to 1 megawatt gas knowledgable repair people. I would need 20,000 words to erect an analysis troubleshooter which is just too lengthy.
    It may be something as simple as a grounded neutral.

    Grounded Neutral ??? Correct term is Grounded conductor or Neutral, and why is that a problem?
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Feb 05, 2021
    Actually a built in RV generator should have a bonded neutral and ground.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Feb 05, 2021
    CA Traveler wrote:
    Actually a built in RV generator should have a bonded neutral and ground.


    Should have? Say who. Mine did not. Neutral floated. I know cause it "Bit" me.. (Well slight tingle) annoying more than painful. but it very clearly was NOT bonded.

    So what happens when they do not bond?

    The hot/ground/neutral divide the voltage so 120 volts Black to White but 60 volts either of those to Green/Bare

    Why is is not all that dangerous.. Well the capacitive divider can not pass enough current to kill you or so they say it can however cause you to move in such a manner you wind up dead.

    Or otherwise injure yourself
    If you know the joke that involves a new playful kitten
    A man takign a shower and a wife who does not know how to
    Press the button on the garbage disposer.

    WELL then you understand the dangers of sudden movement (HE KIO-ed himself)
  • Danger_Zone's avatar
    Danger_Zone
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2021
    I want to thank everyone for responding. I have since spoken with a few electricians, and tomorrow I will meet with one in a nearby state. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome. The RV specialist that I used previously was the only shop in town, and although they are licensed and bonded, I have discovered numerous low ratings under a previous company’s name. After speaking with the original technician again, he said that he shocked himself when a wire from 12v 100amp DC Power Solenoid touched the heater vent. He said he was aware that it had power but he thought he moved it far enough away. I was able to connect all the wires back the way they were before he moved them. With the exception of the microwave, outlets, and air condition, I still have power going to everything inside the house, but my generator won’t start. It just lights up when priming it, and makes a quick buzzing noise while attempting to start it before it trips the breaker inside the RV.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Feb 05, 2021
    wa8yxm wrote:
    CA Traveler wrote:
    Actually a built in RV generator should have a bonded neutral and ground.


    Should have? Say who. Mine did not. Neutral floated. I know cause it "Bit" me.. (Well slight tingle) annoying more than painful. but it very clearly was NOT bonded.


    Says the national electric code, in this case. If your permanently installed generator did not have neutral and ground bonded, it was improperly installed or the bond has broken and needed repair.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Feb 05, 2021
    wa8yxm wrote:
    CA Traveler wrote:
    Actually a built in RV generator should have a bonded neutral and ground.


    Should have? Say who. Mine did not. Neutral floated. I know cause it "Bit" me.. (Well slight tingle) annoying more than painful. but it very clearly was NOT bonded.
    And now you know why they should be bonded. Without the bonding both the neutral and hot wires are hot and potentially dangerous. Normally the neutral is expected to very close voltage wise to the ground because of the upstream bonding like in the CG distribution.

    Plus there is equipment that does not work or work correctly on a non bonded circuit. EMS is an example and of course the 3 light tester.

    Portable gens are excepted in part because they typically are not necessarily designed for RVs. Some RVs will modify there portable gen for neutral ground bonding.

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