No Power to Coach From Genset

Sam · 08-03-2010, 10:01 AM

I have a 200-2001 325S Georgetown that I just recently had problems getting power to the coach (all appliances). Genset runs good but no power to the coach. I have reset the breakers on the Genset. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

LadyWindrider · 08-03-2010, 10:35 AM

Plug it in to shore power and re-check. Problem may be a tripped GFI outlet in main breaker panel or one or more plugs.

Sam · 08-03-2010, 10:41 AM

I have plugged it into shorepower an all works fine.

NWJeeper · 08-03-2010, 10:47 AM

Might be that the transfer switch is bad. This transfers the load to the generator once it senses that it is running. Ours takes about 15 seconds after the generator is started to switch over.

cfsoistman · 08-03-2010, 10:47 AM

Is there a receptacle inside your compartment that requires you to plug the cord into in order to get power from the generator? Some units do not have auto-switch over. It's a manual connection.

Chasracer · 08-11-2010, 02:06 PM

Had the same issue recently. I am honestly not positive about the real problem but this is what I had to do to get the appliances going:

1. Shutdown everything, turn off appliances
2. Move ALL breakers in the box to off position
3. Turn off GenSet breakers
4. Fire up Genset, let it run for 30-45 seconds, turn on one of the Genset breakers, give it 5 then the other one.
5. Turn on the main breaker in the breaker box
6. Turn on one of the other applicance/HVAC/etc breakers and check to see if you are now good. (Hopefully you are!)
7. Turn on remaining breakers in panel, giving a few seconds between each one.

This procedure was given to me by a RV technician and he called it a total reset/reboot of the system. I had just started a trip to Carolina when I we stopped for lunch, shut down the coach and then could not get anything to operate when we returned.

Good luck!

jd-ford-hd · 08-19-2010, 10:16 PM

We experienced this issue on our last trip. Fired up the generator to use AC while stopped for lunch and nothing happened. Usually, I hear the beep from the microwave that tells me power has reached the coach. I turned off generator and checked breakers on the generator and inside the coach, nothing tripped either place. I then started the generator again and presto, we had power. Did it once more on the same trip. Once again turned off generator, waited 5 minutes, refired generator and we had power. Hoping someone here might know what is going on..!

jd-ford-hd · 09-06-2010, 10:09 PM

Finally figured this one out..! Your generator must have a strong battery bank to both start the engine AND have enough voltage to simultaneously energize the alternator of the generator to start producing the AC current. Your generator can be running but not producing a single volt. Two new house batteries and generator is "genning" everytime..!

brianneal · 06-13-2011, 08:15 PM

I have a 2009 Georgetown and am experiencing the same problem. I searched for a while to see if I could find a thread on this......so "JD-ford-hd" are you saying since no AC is flowing to the coach when the generator is running it's because the coach batteries are bad? I usually try to pop on the generator while driving down the road to cool the coach down in the back with the roof AC. Mine does not have an auto transfer switch, I have to plug the shore power cord into a generator socket when I want to use the genset. Advice??? Like the last post said, it works sometimes and others it doesnt??

kenandterry · 06-14-2011, 09:48 AM

I usually start the genny, and wait a minute or two for it to steady. Then I activate the main 50 amp breakers inside the RV in the breaker panel. I can usually hear the microwave start up with the message to set time in clock.

For shut down, I turn off all appliances, then shut down the main 50 amp breakers, then shut down the genny.

Just for convenience, I always unplug from shoreline power, and when I return the power cable into the storage bin, I reconnect it directly into the power outlet inside. This helps keep the power prongs clean, and if I feel the need to run power from the genny, I don't have to go outside to start the process.

jd-ford-hd · 06-14-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianneal

......so "JD-ford-hd" are you saying since no AC is flowing to the coach when the generator is running it's because the coach batteries are bad? Advice??? Like the last post said, it works sometimes and others it doesnt??

Try this to see if low house battery voltage is the problem.
1. Start the "truck" engine, let it run a few minutes to charge the chassis battery.
2. Hold the "boost" rocker switch on the dash while simultaneously pressing the generator start switch.

If the generator starts up and you hear the microwave beep(that's what I listen for), you know the generator is "genning".....!! I have not convinced myself that low voltage alone would keep the generator from working. My feeble mind thinks that if there is enough voltage to turn the generator over AND start it, then that should also be enough to "flash" the armature as well.

jd-ford-hd · 06-14-2011, 04:57 PM

Would be nice to know what brand genset everyone posting here has. Mine is a Generac Guardian 6500. Lets see if this problem is brand related.

dontechen · 06-22-2011, 09:56 AM

Anything new on this problem? I also have the same problem. I am going to try to check to see if power is going to the transfer switch, as this could be a problem if your vehicle has one.

brianneal · 06-23-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd-ford-hd

Try this to see if low house battery voltage is the problem.
1. Start the "truck" engine, let it run a few minutes to charge the chassis battery.
2. Hold the "boost" rocker switch on the dash while simultaneously pressing the generator start switch.

If the generator starts up and you hear the microwave beep(that's what I listen for), you know the generator is "genning".....!! I have not convinced myself that low voltage alone would keep the generator from working. My feeble mind thinks that if there is enough voltage to turn the generator over AND start it, then that should also be enough to "flash" the armature as well.

jd-ford-hd

I just picked up my RV this afternoon. I tried what you said with holding down the rocker switch to see if it was low power on the coach batteries, but that didn't work either unfortunately (and it starts right up without any issue). Any other suggestions? I used to be able to fire it up when I drove down the road to kick on the AC for the passengers in the back; used to work fine. I have a Guardian generator, unsure of the model number.

jd-ford-hd · 06-23-2011, 05:14 PM

Almost scared to guess what your problem is. I had this problem crop up again this spring. Got my trusty Fluke multimeter and went at it. Had plenty of voltage in my house batteries. This time not only would my generator work sometimes at startup and sometimes not, it also would run for 10 to 45 minutes and shut down abruptly.

FINALLY,, I found that the fuel pump (electric) was stopping. So I put a new electric pump on and "presto", my generator is running perfectly at every startup and does not stop..!! I can post all the diagnostic procedures with pics if you are so inclined to do this yourself but with a three year warranty from Generac I suggest letting an authorized service center do it IF you have one close AND you trust them..! EVERYTHING is so voltage dependent on these RVs nowadays. My diagnosis was the defective fuel pump was drawing too much voltage from the circuitry and that "field boost" was not initiating at startup which meant no AC current was generated even though the engine was running. Pheww....!!!

Fulltimer · 06-25-2011, 04:11 PM

I have a 2007 370XL and had similar issues with no power to my coach through the transfer switch, which has resulted in replacing the auto transfer switch or components thereof on three occasions.

Symptom - no power when coach has been plugged into shore power

1) verify whether coach will power off of the genset
A) if so shut off the genset and check shore power for 220v
110 V Across each leg of circuit at the shore power input
of theTransfer Switch
B) if voltage is present but coach still won't power up,
Chances are you have a faulty transfer switch
C) if no voltage or only 110 on one leg of power, check your
Power Source

Symptom - no power from genset is running

1) Verify whether coach will power up from shore power
A) if so disconnect shore power and power up genset and
Check for 220v, 110 V Across each leg of circuit at the
Genset power input of theTransfer Switch
B) if voltage is present but coach still won't power up,
Chances are you have a faulty transfer switch
C) if no voltage or only 110 on one leg of power, check
Genset breakers

I have had to replace my transfer switch on three different occasions, twice I replaced the entire assembly and once I got away with just replacing the time delay circuit board. This last time, I replaced the factory installed unit with a progressive Dynamics PD52.

jd-ford-hd · 06-25-2011, 06:51 PM

Good advice Fulltimer, for those who have the transfer switch. Brianneal and myself both have the "old timey" way on ours. We have to manually plug in for generator or shore power. Hearing the problems you have had makes me glad I don't have the auto transfer....!!

dontechen · 06-27-2011, 04:59 PM

I am still testing (waiting a few days, then starting and waiting to see if the generator will power the coach) I do have a transfer switch and found a possible loose connection on the two white neutral wires coming out of the generator at the first junction box. Since then It has not happened, but I am still concerned though, because I was using a utility trailer over an extended period of time and the same thing would happen on a regular basis. This trailer had no transfer switch, but it did have the same generac guardian 6500 genset that I have in my moho. Has anyone taken thier genset in for service or talked to a generac generator service guy?

jd-ford-hd · 06-27-2011, 09:06 PM

I called Generac and got nowhere.

They simply do not do technical assistance over the phone. I talked to my closest authorized service center which is Camping World. The phone call convinced me that I knew as much as their generator "specialist". Just like all the other warrantable issues I have experienced, I will fix it myself...!

dontechen · 07-06-2011, 03:41 PM

I was able to duplicate the problem again. No power to transfer switch. I called my local service guy who I have confidence in. He said that this will happen if it takes the generator a long time to start, he called it fuel flash, he said there is a time out. My generator has been hard to start, even though, I have changed everything. He said that my problem was probably due to carb. varnish, because my generator has only 300 hours in 5 years. I am going to take it in to him soon and will let you know what happens.

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