Transfer switch

Question

I finally got my Onan generator running and it puts out good voltage, 122. The problem is, it doesn't seem to connect to the RV panel. When I plug in the RV everything works fine, but the generator does nothing. The Onan breaker is closed and the 5 amp fuse is good.
My motorhome is a 1987 Gulfstream. I assume there is a transfer switch somewhere, I can't find it. I also assume that it should throwover to the generator when it comes on. I did not have the RV plugged in when I made the test.
This is my first experience with RV generators. I do electrical work in both cars and residential, but this has me stumped! Any suggestions? The manual gives no information, not much came with the motorhome when I bought it.

larry_cad · Answer

Don't know for sure about your RV, but many have a plug outlet connected to the generator.  In order for the generator to be used, you have to plug the shore power cord into the generator outlet.  It is a crude way of doing a transfer without a transfer switch but accomplishes the same thing.  Typically the outlet is located somewhere in the power cord compartment.

old-biscuit · Answer

1987 vintage may not have an 'auto transfer switch' but actually use an OUTLET that one has to plug shore power cord into.
Gen feds outlet..plug shore cord into outlet and then gen feds RV via shore power cord.

Got a Unused 30A outlet in 'electrical bay'?

Otherwise..trace where shore power cord goes and where gen power cord goes.
Both end up in a 'electrical box' with wires going out to main panel you have found the elusive transfer switch

jim · Answer

FYI, in the event that you DO have an xfer switch, in my '94 Bounder, it was BEHIND the fuse/circuit breaker panel above the dinette. Took me much internet searching to find that thing. Weird. There's a lot of them that are behind the circuit breaker panel in the master bed frame too.

Also, most gensets I'm aware of have circuit breakers right on the generator and they need to be closed to supply the RV.

atsrmf · Answer

Thanks for the help! I discovered there is an outlet for the generator where the shoreline cord is. I plugged the shoreline into that outlet, started the generator, and everything works. I ran the A/C and the voltage stayed at 119. I ran the microwave for a few seconds with water in it, the generator barked and kept going. I feel like an idiot for not knowing the transfer is human actuated, but this is how you learn.
As for the Onan 4.0, it needed everything- circuit board, fuel pump, and I rebuilt the carb. I also made new spark plug wires. It runs great and has only 57 hours for being 30 years old. I think the circuit board failed in the 90s, IMO.

tom_barb · Answer

Happy it was an easy fix.

Forum Discussion

Transfer switch

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Transfer switch buzzing

transfer switch

transfer switch

Transfer Switch

Transfer switch