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09-28-2014, 11:13 PM
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#1
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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Electrical issue on shore power but works fine on generator
We're camping in New Mexico, and I have the following problem:
On generator: all circuits and appliances work, the house battery charges up, inverter panel shows AC in, inverted circuits work
On shore power: GFCI circuits in bath, kitchen, and basement do not work, front air conditioner does not work, batteries do not charge, inverter panel mid-coach does not show AC in, inverted circuits work.
Any ideas? Transfer switch?
2009 FR Berk 390BH
Thanks
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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09-29-2014, 10:46 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 351
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Maybe a silly question but, have you checked the power at the pole? They are not always the most well cared for item in the park. You need a volt meter (DMM) and check both L1 and L2. If your rear AC is working it sounds like one of the Ls is dead.
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Joel K
2013 Coachman Mirada 29DSSE
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09-29-2014, 10:50 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jk510
Maybe a silly question but, have you checked the power at the pole? They are not always the most well cared for item in the park. You need a volt meter (DMM) and check both L1 and L2. If your rear AC is working it sounds like one of the Ls is dead.
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X2. On a 50 amp RV, in simple terms you have TWO 50 amp 120 volt lines feeding the RV. It does sound like one of the lines is not working correct...thus only some of your stuff working, that may all be on the non functioning incoming line.
As jk510 stated above, the first place to check is the pedestal at the park.
This link will help, and click the outlet testing tab on the left:
http://www.myrv.us/electric/
The voltage between Y and X should be 240-Volt, X and W 120-Volt, Y and W 120-Volt, X and G 120-volt, Y and G 120-volt, W and G 0-Volt
You may find either the Y(L1) or X(L2) is not giving you 120 volts.
You can also have the same thing happening in your power cord, and only one leg is coming all the way in to the RV. We see bad/burnt power cords pretty frequently here in the forums....especially when owners don't twist them good for the final lock, or connect/disconnect the cords without killing power at the pedestal first. Over time, the electrical arcing that occurs will make either the cord, or the attaching point to the RV unworkable.
I would check the campground outlet first. If that checks out, then plug your detachable RV cord into the outlet, but not to the RV. Check the cord now. This way you can eliminate each link in the power chain, as to where the problem lies.
If the cord checks out, then you know the problem lies from where the cord attaches to the RV and in from there.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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09-29-2014, 10:52 AM
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#4
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Bad transfer switch?
Only one side engaging on shore power?
Only one leg hot on pole?
Turbs
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09-30-2014, 02:39 PM
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#5
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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Sorry, bad internet connectivity last couple days.
An update, I opened up the transfer switch and found melted contacts! Lucky we had no fire. I found a replacement part in Flagstaff and we'll drop the coach for a day while we sightsee there. Here's some pictures...
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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09-30-2014, 02:45 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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You got lucky. That looks like it could have gotten real ugly, real fast.
I've never taken a look inside a transfer switch. I would have assumed to find relays that handle the switching. Instead, this looks like it's just bridging the two connections into one output. In that case I'd be worried about plugging into shore power with a generator running.
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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09-30-2014, 03:27 PM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Hey I got one right!
Do I win a prize?
Or does this just make my wrong from another thread just equal out?
Turbs
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09-30-2014, 03:36 PM
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#8
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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You got it!
I put a cheap smoke detector in the bay with the transfer switch, and I have not plugged in to shore power for 2 days. I run the generator at the end of the day only to bring the batteries up for over night for lights when we're in the coach. I think the risk of fire is highest on shore power, lowest on battery, and middle risk on generator. I only run the generator when we're awake and near the coach. I have the fridge and hot water running on gas. The real pisser is that the coffee machine requires good power!
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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09-30-2014, 08:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
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The photos show why OSHA requires arc flash protection when opening electrical panels that are energized. This is one government rule that makes sense. Suppose you had the panel cover off and were troubleshooting it when the arc happened? I've seen videos of arc flashes using dummies in front of an open panel. The arc spews out molten metal and it gets ugly really fast.
The smoke detector in the electrical bay is a good idea. On our Sunseeker, it's directly underneath the bed. That's not a comforting thought. I just hope the metal box contains the arc if it happens!
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10-01-2014, 11:03 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 351
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HOLY CRAP!! That's Ugly!!
I have to wonder what caused it. That shouldn't happen in normal operation. Did you take any powerline hits? Wow.
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Joel K
2013 Coachman Mirada 29DSSE
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10-01-2014, 11:04 AM
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#11
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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I would wonder if it wasn't a loose connection.
Turbs
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10-01-2014, 11:11 AM
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#12
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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Further update. That transfer switch was part of a recall for other RV manufacturers, and camping world is checking to see if FR recalled the switch. The recall is installation related; so, not all coach maker applications would be recalled.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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10-01-2014, 11:12 AM
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#13
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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Thought the IOTA transfer switch was recalled over a year ago? might want to contact Randy at FR and see if he will help in the cost to replace. Also if your not the orginal owner, let FR know you now own the coach to get recall information, also Frightliner and Cummins.
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2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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10-02-2014, 09:06 PM
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#14
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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The transfer switch was covered under the recall. I'm the second owner; so, incomplete communications in this context led to the present situation.
Update: the transfer switch looks like it might have caused an issue with my inverter. I'm camping in the parking lot of the Camping World in Flagstaff, AZ as they await wiring schematics for my 2009 FR Berkshire 390BH. Anyone got a copy?
At least it's a free place to stay! I took my Harley off the rack on the rear, and I'm going to ride around northern AZ while they fix the electrical problem. Lucky my wife's in Vegas with some girlfriends this weekend. I think the no coffee machine situation is getting to her!
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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10-02-2014, 11:07 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Big brown desert
Posts: 3,003
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Wow- no coffee so she goes to Vegas? A Starbucks card might have been a tad cheaper. So if there is no hot water does she get to go to Maui? Lol.
2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"
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2014 Stealth Evo 2850- "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7- "Clifford"
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 w/Track Pack- "Julia"
Just glad to get away
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10-02-2014, 11:38 PM
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#16
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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Ha! She's had this weekend planned for a while. She goes with college friends for what they call "girls gone mild" weekend. They're all mid-40s and have been friends since they were 18. I went today to drop her off and say hi to the girls. I went to the same college, and they're my friends, too. I just don't get invited. But that said, the wife doesn't come for NASCAR races with my boys and me.
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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10-03-2014, 06:29 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Big brown desert
Posts: 3,003
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Ah...the "troubles" we create to be left alone. I was thinking of asking what hotel the girls were at so that I could warn security but I am sure security is fully aware by now that they are there! Have fun and hope it gets fixed soon.
2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"
__________________
2014 Stealth Evo 2850- "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7- "Clifford"
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 w/Track Pack- "Julia"
Just glad to get away
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10-31-2014, 08:32 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 27
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Im guessing loose lug....heating and cooling cycles of the conductors will loosen the lug screws over time.....loose connections creates resistance....resistance creates heat.....and heat burns up the lugs....even possibly, the factory didnt properly torque the screws after inserting wire.....any time I opened up a panel working in electrical trade, I always checked all lugs and screws.....
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11-02-2014, 08:45 PM
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#19
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Master of his Domain
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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It's possible the lug tightness was an issue, but the transfer switch in my unit was covered in an FR recall that I, as second owner, was not made aware of until after this failure. The new switch is made of metal and not plastic.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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Moose
2009 FR Berkshire 390BH
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