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Gen help please!
Headed north on I-5, not the ideal time to lose AC access!  Generator starts, but appliances (AC especially) don't kick in.  Where do I start to trouble shoot?  Thanks!

Sweltering in Corning,
Lorna
2003 RB

 

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #2
"Sweltering in Corning,"

First thought re: Gennie... transfer switch... no suggestions.

First class Mexican restaurant, Casa Ramos, directly across from Olive Pit!   ;D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!


Re: Gen help please!
Reply #4
Debinvenice, thanks for the video reference -- nice presentation.  Unfortunately I couldn't find the circuit breaker the tech was referring to - perhaps a different model generator?

My worry stone is still out and active though, for I'm wondering now if my issue isn't with the generator but, rather, the coach's entire electrical system?!!  I'm still on the road but due to pause for new tires and maybe a stop at Cummins in Eugene.  Stay tuned!

Lorna
2003 RB

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #5
Hi Lorna;  Your 2003 should have the Onan MicroQuiet.  My 1999 has the Onan Emerald Plus. Big differences.    Lazy Daze changed the generator in some year between us.     This You Tube video shows resetting the circuit breaker.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzxx8Ht2hOs   This person says not to run it with the cover off, but you can. Just don't push your luck.  In hot weather and no load I'm sure you can run it for a few minutes with the cover off.      RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #6
Much better view of the circuit breaker switch Ron!

Lorna, I have a 2003 MB with the 4000 MicroQuiet, so yours should be the same as Ron stated.

If the breaker is tripped, flipping that switch forward should bring power back on in your rig. If the switch doesn't work, you may have another issue. I recently had a problem with my generator that didn't involve the circuit breaker. A wired spade connection had broken and kept my generator from starting. After I fixed that (thanks little bro), all was well.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #7
Hi Lorna;  As with most circuit breaker switch handles, you need to flip the switch all the way to off first, before you turn it on again.  The off position resets the spring inside, so it will trip properly the next time.. (hopefully there won't be a 'next time'.)
    There is the main power inlet to the rig 30A circuit breaker.  It can also trip. It is after the buss transfer relay, so this breaker is with the 12 volt fuses in your power center. It protects the rig wiring from the shore power plug or the genset.  As Steve (Lazy Bones) said it could be the timer in the transfer relay box, that isn't switching the relay over to allow generator power into the rig. That the generator runs is a good thing. Some Youtubes say that it won't continue to run if is isn't producing power at all.  Any more trouble shooting will involve meter usage and opening up the buss transfer relay box.  That should be left for professionals risk takers.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #8
Thank you all for your ideas for correcting my generator's lack of power to my coach - watched the videos, found the breaker, checked fuses, etc ... no joy!  Since I was in the neighborhood, I stopped at the Cummins "shop" in Coburg, OR. They did a quickie, parking lot check out and determined that, yup! I needed an appointment for a likely replacement of the timer transfer switch or circuit board.  There is another Cummins shop in Sumner, about 20 miles from my destination in WA.  Stay tuned for the final diagnosis - ka-ching!

Lorna
2003 RB

Re: Gen help please!
Reply #9
I needed an appointment for a likely replacement of the timer transfer switch or circuit board. 

The transfer switch is the next likely culprit if they identified that the generator was producing and sending power.  It's not a part of the generator and can be handled by most any RV shop.

The Lazy Daze Companion: Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)

I'm not sure what they mean by circuit board (I can think of a couple options)

Good luck!
Rich
2003 MB