Electrical Short Whole Rig,

[prstlk]

Electrical Short Whole Rig,

2007 Challenger 5th wheel 36ft.

Components are mostly located under the sink in the kitchen. If I close the door on any of these cabinets and the 120v power shuts off for a few seconds and then comes back on.

Under the sink there is fuse panel with both breakers and 12v fuses. This panel has a front access for the breakers and fuses, rear for the wiring. Also, the original battery charger for the two 12v that run the house are also located under this cabinet. Lastly is the transfer switch (shore to generator and back).
When I took all the shelves and covers off, I noticed when I shook moved or tapped the transfer switch box, I could repeat the outage and re-energizing. I took the cover off and checked every connection and found no signs of arcing or any loose contacts.

My thoughts now run to the relays in the box. Question is, are these boxes worth trouble shooting, replace relays? Or just replace the box?

Thanks in advance

[prstlk]

The transfer switch is from progressive dynamics pd5120 nothing on label mentions EMS
Thanks for helping!
Jim

[wa8yxm]

There is another posibility Do you have a device called an EMS? Now there are two the one I'm thinking of is Progressive Industries
DO you have anything in there with Progressive Industries on teh label

Another one is made by Technical Research Corp (TRC) and is called Surge Guard

These can shut you down from between 3 and 170 seconds depending on how they are set.

And another thing..
One of the NITS (i'm a trained electronics tech) that annoys me is the difference between a SHORT (trips the breaker) and an OPEN (What you have) .

[enblethen]

I saw where you said you tightened the connections.
Since it takes a few seconds for the power to reconnect, it sounds like a connection or something in the transfer switch time delay circuit.
I would not try to get parts, I would replace the complete unit.
I would start by wiggling the main cable between transfer switch and power distribution.
Does it act the same whether you are on shore power or genset?

[prstlk]

I neglected to make clear that I had tightened every connection within the box. The question is, is it worth it to try to trouble shoot the components within the box or just replace it. Also although the rig is an 07 the gennie and transfer switch was installed later. The age of the box is unknown.
Thanks again to all.

[YC_1]

An old trick is to turn a screwdriver upside down and use the insulated part to tap around suspect items.

Live circuits are dangerous so you can tape up the metal part if yot think it is necessary.

If tightening the connections does not help I would replace the whole device and not mess with relays. Age alone would make me suspect.

If you can get to the contacts safely with power off you can try burnishing the contacts with some sandpaper.

[wa8yxm]

enblethen wrote:
Sounds like a loose connection.

Ditto.. I'm fond of saying many RVers have a few screws lose.
The connections in that power panel are the exact screws I'm speaking of when I say this. One of mine took over 3 full turns

I would look to tighten those screws. all the screws in the breaker box UNPLUG FIRST. What is the make and model of that assembly by the way. Some need a serious upgrade.

[MrWizard]

not a short
sounds like a loose wire connection or circuit breaker

short circuits make things get hot smoke and burn

[CA_Traveler]

Were you able to check the relays or their contacts? If the ATS is the original 07 one I'd replace it.

Also if the ATS is switched with heavier loads this can lead to burned contacts.

I always turn off loads when switching gen/shore and plug/unplug shore power.

[Joe417]

Easy to test the relay. Disconnect the wires from the relay and temporarily tie the inputs directly to the outputs of the relay. That will verify if the relay is the issue.

Also, it isn't a short. It's an open.

[enblethen]

Sounds like a loose connection.
I would turn off power to the rig, open the boxes and inspect each connection looking for melted conductor insulation and signs of burnt wires. Tighten all connections. close all covers and try sytem again.
I am not an advocate of throwing parts at an issue!