generator charging

[jonlin]

We have a 09 Tiffin Phaeton. The last couple times we have been boondocking, when running the generator, the status system is showing that the system is inverting rather than charging. Why would the system be inverting rather than charging with the generator running?

Thanks,
John

[wa8yxm]

Several reasons. As someone said Transfer switch stuck, Breaker (on generator) OFF, my favorite is "Screw Loose" or in this case a connection (The screws are the ones that hold the wires)

And in this special case Generator out of spec.. The inverter monitors 2 or 3 pramaters, Voltage, Frequency and optionally waveform.. Plug a Kill-a-watt into a NON INVERTER outlet and check the voltage and frequency. May be out of spec.

Waveform takes an electronics technicican with a 'scope.. Odds are though if your Generator is an Onan or Generac RV type generagor it's good.

[time2roll]

Unplug and start the generator. Measure voltage going into the inverter/charger.
Could be inverter/charger does not like the voltage or the frequency so it continues to invert.

[MrWizard]

does it charge from shore power but not charging from generator
could be the main shore/genny TS
i ask because the inverter/charger also has its own pass-thru TS/relay

does the A/C work, that is one thing that is usually NOT on inverter

need to figure out which switch is stuck

or IF one circuit breaker on the generator has tripped and need to be reset
if generator power is not going to the inverter, there is no 120v to detect and it will stay in inverter mode

[jonlin]

It could be that your transfer switch is stuck.

How many hours on your generator?

We have 492 hours on the generator...

[Lwiddis]

Another reason to add a solar system.

[Mr_Mark1]

John,

It could be that your transfer switch is stuck.

How many hours on your generator?

MM.