Spent the last 2 days at a casino parking lot, no hook ups. My question is when running the generator I though it would supply powers to my outlets. For example I plugged in my coffee maker and it did not have power. Even though the generator was running. All the circuit breakers were good, etc. I still have lights, radio works...guessing because powered by the coach batteries. Anyone have any ideas what could cause this? Or maybe I'm not doing something I should? Just seems weird..thanks

If installed gen it should have a transfer switch between it and shore power. Not working it seems,If a portable gen, then you should plug the shore cable into it! (ha ha---just giving you a hard time )

Well.. there some older rigs with built in generators that still required you to plug the shore power cable into it. Could this be your problem?

Some don't have an automatic transfer switch.You have to plug the cord from the gen into receptacle usually located in power cord compartment.

Generator running..........does it load up?Need to check whether or not you have AC power to rig......got a volt meter?Are other 110V AC equipment working.....A/C Unit works, fridge works on AC, microwave works, water heater works on AC, other outlets have power etc. IF NO then gen. power is not getting to AC Dist. Panel.....transfer switch badIF Yes then problem is with that outlet (coffee pot plugged into) or with the AC circuit breaker.

As you can see, we need more information to help you.What generator? Have you checked the breakers on the generator itself?Do you have an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) or do you have to manually plug in generator?Do any 120 VAC items work from generator?

Power to electrical outlets - via Generator | Good Sam Community

live4thedash
Explorer
Dec 15, 2013
Good idea. Yes in the end it was both of them that were tripped.
thank you!
bukzin
Explorer
Dec 14, 2013
live4thedash wrote:
Found it~ back up and working. I'm not sure why the generator 30 amp would have triggered as I didn't have anything plugged in and things were not running other than my blowers for the furnace to warm the MH up. Maybe because it was so cold and I hadn't used it in a while? Not sure...thanks everyone. Now I know about that breaker on generator too! Never ending...guess they call it learning!

So, in the end, did you have both a main breaker on the Onan
and a GFI tripped.

You might want to write down the location of each of these breakers
(Gen-set, inverter, GFI's, etc.)
I'd copy that little note and put it in both my owners manual and in your main circuit
panel box.

Someone (likely you) will be glad you did!
live4thedash
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Found it~ back up and working. I'm not sure why the generator 30 amp would have triggered as I didn't have anything plugged in and things were not running other than my blowers for the furnace to warm the MH up. Maybe because it was so cold and I hadn't used it in a while? Not sure...thanks everyone. Now I know about that breaker on generator too! Never ending...guess they call it learning!
CT_WANDERER
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Sound like you are getting there. On my MH(Coachmen) I have two GFCI. One is at the bathroom sink. It controls outlet for the bathroom, Bedroom TV. Outside OL, and Front TV system. 2nd GFCI is at the Kitchen sink it is for all outlet in the kitchen area. So check to see if you have anymore GFCI breakers.
live4thedash
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
Hi ~ Okay so I did some more checking. When I pulled the cover on the generator (marquis gold 5500 onan) and the 30 amp switched was flipped so I set it back. The switch above that was okay. I then started the generator, set the GFI in the bathroom and I was able to turn on the TV, the micro was on, etc. However when I plugged the coffee maker into the outlets on the counter did not work. I then got a house fan and plugged that in and it did not work. I then took the same fan and plugged it into the bedroom outlets and it worked. so it looks like the the outlets in the front of the coach do not work. Never ending right??? :)
rockylarson
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
Pretty sure the GFI needs current to it to reset. Haven't heard how the "on the generator" 20 amp and 30 amp breaker check is going.
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 01, 2013
A: the gfi is bad

B: something on tne circuit 'leaks to ground' and is tripping the gfi

try unplugging items that are plugged in
then reset gfi
If the reset works plug items back 'one at a time' until gfi trips
live4thedash
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
You are correct. Found the GFI at the sink in the bathroom. I'm guessing its been flipped set since the button is out. However when I push it back in to set it it doesn't stay there, no click, no set...nothing..
badboy368
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
i had the same problem one time and it was the GFI in the bathroom. i guess they are wired in parallel
live4thedash
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
Now I just need to find the GFI! lol