We were under generator power last night when the removable key to the battery disconnect switch vibrated out and afterwards, the auto transfer switch (that switches trailer to AC power) will not work. Am boondocking and would like AC power. Any ideas? Seems like the transfer switch needs a reset...I find no button to do so on the switch housing.Anyone know if generator will charge batteries if transfer switch inoperable?Sequence of events was this...key to disconnect switch must have gotten bumped when unloading stuff cuz the lights were flickering right before they went out when we were under AC (generator) power. I found the key switch was out and reinstalled and we have DC power but the transfer switch wont switch us to generator. The breakers at the generator were not tripped. I reset them anyway. I tried removing DC power via disconnecting batteries briefly to see if that would reset transfer switch, no go.Any ideas? If I pop the cover off the transfer switch, anything servicable in there? I have volt/ohm meter.Thanks for any help!

No you are not going to charge your batteries until you get AC power inside the rig. It concerns me that you posted (DC to AC) as a transfer switch does not do that... it switches the AC between shore and generator.Sounds like the coil that holds that side of the contacts closed is not getting power. If you cannot find the problem (are you sure you have power from the generator), I'd figure out how to manually hold those contacts closed or run jumper wires around them, or bypass the transfer switch completely... for now.

Having a MULTIMETER around is very helpful determining if your batteries are charging.I use my MULTIMETER all the time across the battery terminals to check their DC VOLT level. If they are 'fully charged' I see from 12.6-7VDC when my trailer is not connected to the shore power or AC Generator. When I connect to shore power or attach a Generator the DC VOLT LEVEL will jump up to 13.6VDC or higher telling me the battery is charging. Same thing should happen for your batteries.

"lights were flickering right before they went out" That is not a good sign! Maybe your converter got fried. What do you measure for DC voltage in the trailer? Did you have a heavy AC load when this happen? Air Conditioner running etc.Sounds like a bad AC connection, maybe at the transfer switch.Chris

Yes, pop the cover off the transfer switch, make sure there is AC power coming in from the generator, then check the output. If nothing, could be a bad coil on the relay.

Will pop the lid off in a while. If the transfer switch doesnt switch between dc and ac, what does? When I am on dc power and start genny, after a 15 or so sec delay, there is a noticable click, almost a pop, and ac power is functional. Thats what normally takes place. No switch over now.Isnt the transfer switch doing the change?

Boondocking - power transfer switch (DC to AC ) quit working

d-mac1
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
You guys are funny and I cant thank you enough!! Beer is on me...we are at white wash in Utah. Come on by and collect!! Going home Sat so hurry over for best selection :-)
Me_Again
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2015
Ivylog wrote:
Sorry Me Again, I'm first in line for the prize as I posted " I'd figure out how to manually hold those contacts closed" right after his first post.
OP, thanks for posting the solution.

BUT BUT BUT, I said it was most likely the control board not the relay! Ha! Ha!

Chris
Ivylog
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2015
Sorry Me Again, I'm first in line for the prize as I posted " I'd figure out how to manually hold those contacts closed" right after his first post.
OP, thanks for posting the solution.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2015
So do I win a prize? Chris
d-mac1
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
Its the relay board...a friend showed up and helped me understand how it works. There is power to the board, but nothing comes out of it. From what I now understand, its output powers the solenoid which would pull the switch down and thereby transfers the power. Sound right?

I called the rv store and cant buy the circuit board by itself, so I did right by ordering a new switch. For tonight, I can jam a piece of wood into it to hold it engaged. I will pull wood out before turn off genny. I guess reason is to assure smooth steady power to converter?

Thanks guys!!!
wprice5441
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
my Onan 5500 has a remote start inside and another start switch inside the generator cover in front compartment. Mine did what you're describing during a power outage. tried to restart inside, generator ran but no power. Went outside to switch held in off position for 20 seconds then restarted from that switch, problem solved. generator worked ok after. This may save you
RustyJC
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
Me Again wrote:
RustyJC wrote:
You never mention the generator you're using.

Rusty

Yes he did Onan 5500! Chris

Sorry!! I must have overlooked it!!

Rusty
Me_Again
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2015
RustyJC wrote:
You never mention the generator you're using.

Rusty

Yes he did Onan 5500! Chris
avvidclif1
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
It sounds like the transfer switch. For the time being you could bypass it but to keep from starting the generator under a load and low voltage when it shut down you would need to open the breakers on the generator before shutting it down and not close them until the generator has started and settled down. Kinda inconvenient but you could go on camping.
RustyJC
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
You never mention the generator you're using. Portable generators such as the paired (paralleled) Yamaha EF2000is units I use (also true for the Honda EU2000i generators) have a floating neutral that's not bonded to ground. If I plug them into the 50 amp twist-lock generator plug (using a 50 twist-lock to 30 adapter) on the front of our 5th wheel, the Progressive Industries power protection system will block the generator output with an E9 error code and not engage the transfer switch UNLESS I have a neutral-to-ground bonding plug plugged into a 15 amp outlet on one of the generators. If your generator requires it, do you have the bonding plug installed?

Rusty