need help - several electrical issues / concerns

[conceptumator]

Might try checking the connection of the gen to the transfer switch. Possible there's either no voltage there or the transfer switch is bad or stuck and simply not switching over from shore power.

[VEdwards]

manual not indicating where to find the transfer switch... any thoughts... sure appreciate your help.

[conceptumator]

Not familiar with you RV, but usually you can follow the shore power cord to its termination into one side of the switch. The gen will hook to the other side. In my old RV (2006 Hurricane), it wasn't with the shore power; there was an electrical control center under the hood that gad the transfer switch built into it. What year and model is your RV?

[CHICKDOE]

which circuit breaker? the one on the generator, or the one on the 110 distribution panel. and do you have 30 amp or 50 amp. I have 50 amp and there are two circuit breakers on the generator. is it possible that only one of these is on (ie the other is tripped). aside from the generator there will also be circuit breakers on the vehicle distribution panel. one last remote thought. is it possible that you are powering the 12 volt requirements solely from the battery and not even getting 110 power from the generator?

[conceptumator]

Chick doe: You and I are headed the same direction. I think the 12v stuff is definitely running off his battery and either a breaker is tripped or the transfer switch is not flipping over to the gen.

[VEdwards]

we have looked for the transfer switch... 2015 Forester model 2861DS... we are stumped, nice guy next rig over tried to help track it down... he was baffled too. Thanks for responding.

[conceptumator]

See what you mean about the manual - not even a clue. Let me dig some more and see if I can find anything.

[VEdwards]

thanks much... we are stumped!!!! really appreciate it!

[conceptumator]

OK. Not sure if yours is like other models, but look under the bed. The switch will have three cables going into it. One from shore power, one from the generator and one to the coach.

[conceptumator]

No problem. Let me know if you find it.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Okay,now I believe in jinxes! Just yesterday I was saying that we've had no major problems with our Sunseeker on another forum, and today I have no 120 v electric! The pedestal is okay according to my (better than) surge protector, and every thing works on generator. The Forest River tech I called said it sounds like either the cord or the transfer switch. The FR dealer near here in Sheridan hasn't returned my voice mails- he may be closed for the holiday weekend. We're still on warranty so I'd like to have him fix it! Any ideas on any thing I can do, other than run the genny? Thanks.

[conceptumator]

Have you tried removing the surge protector and seeing if you get power? If you get power that way, then there is a jumper wire you can use inside the surge protector to bypass it's "brain" and make the switch kick over. If it's hardwired, then open the cover on the transfer switch (beware of hot wires!) and find where the shore power cord enters the box. If you're 50A, there will be three wires. The center is the common and the two outer wires are hot. Check voltage between each of the two hot wires and the common; you should see 120V on each of those legs. If you're 30A, you'll only see two wires going into the relay, so check voltage across those and you should also see 120V. There is an additional wire in the shore cord but it's a ground and should be connected to a grounding screw on the side of the surge protector frame inside. Please post as to whether or not this works so I'll know if I need to keep researching. Thanks. Good luck!

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Yep, tech had me remove surge protector and plu in cord: still no 120 v power. So either cord or transfer switch, which I know nothing about or even where it is! I'll be fine til Monday when I expect to hear from the dealer in Sheridan. Thank you for your suggestions and for any other ideas you might have!

[conceptumator]

Transfer switch may be located under the bed. If you can find it, try giving it a good thump with a shoe or rubber mallet. Might jar it loose.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Okay-this am I turned on the generator on to make coffee and cool the MH down. It ran fine for about an hour (it only has 79 hours on it) then it stopped, tried to start several times- it would start then run down and stop. Turned cab on still no joy! So, I'm on 12v until I can get ahold of Dalton's RV in Sheridan on Mon. First time boondocking even if I'm in a CG! I'll survive! Thank God for propane. I guess I should be thankful we're still under warranty also. Thanks for letting me vent!

[conceptumator]

Check you fuel level; close to 1/4 tank? If so, that's the issue. You may be at a slight angle, just enough to get the gas level below the generator fuel intake.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Got to Dalton's rv and eventually they found the problem. At first they thought it was the transfer switch because it didn't have power to one side, so they took it out of the loop so I could use 120 only,til they could get a new swthch$$$. But there was stil no 120! So they found a loose connection right at the wall plug, which had probably been loose from the factory, tightened that , and voila 120 and the switch worked! They also found a loose wire set for the 12v that had no wire nut and fixed that.I will be sending the $127 bill to FR warranty.