Generator help???

[hoffbrew]

ok... I decided to run my A/C's yesterday and they work well, pluged in to shore power, BUT I decided to start generator and let the A/C's run off of that... nothing.. they will not run on generator and also noticed no lights on microwave either. Turned off generator, pluged back in and everything works great, unplug and start generator and there is nothing?? Checked fuses and breakers but that was about it, limited time yesterday due to Mothers Day. What should I start checking? Both switch/breakers behind generator front cover are on.

[bg71361]

What model and brand generator? Did you try plugging in a drill or something simple directly to the generator?

[canesfan]

There is a delay for electric after starting the genny, say 20-30 seconds or so, but I'm sure if you were checking things you got past that point. Not sure, maybe something with the transfer switch?

[Loui]

Depending on brand and model of generator?


If its a factory installed 5500 or 6500 Onan generator then you may have one leg of the 120 volts not making a good connection from the generator.
With the shore power off and the Generator off check your connections from the generator to the transfer switch.

[hoffbrew]

I will dig around a little. Let the 5500 Onan gen run for a good 10 min and tried again and still no microwave lights either.

[canesfan]

Are there any fault codes showing on the meter?

[hoffbrew]

Did not see any fault codes if you talking about the meter on panel where it shows hours??

[canesfan]

Yeah, the hour meter shows fault codes, too and they are all listed in the manual you should have. Also I think there's a "status indicator" light behind the access panel on the genny itself, but I'm not sure what it shows. Do you have a manual? There's all kinds of trouble shooting info in it. If not I'll look at mine later.

[hoffbrew]

I will check out the trouble shooting guide. Just making sure I wasnt missing something. Now that i am thinking about it, I remember firing up generator after I got her home and micro time was working, I had time set when plugged in, then started generator and it reset time to "00:00" but that is not there now while gen is running, possibly a fuse somewhere???

[canesfan]

Well if the ACs aren't working and the micro clock isn't working I'd say you have no 120V from the genny, but starting where I don't know. If you unplug before starting the genny then the micro clock would reset to 00:00 anyway, but nothing on the clock usually indicates no power. I don't know about fuses between the genny and anything, I'm still thinking transfer switch connection maybe. I'm going out to mine shortly and I'll get the manual out. It's probably something real stupid we're overlooking.

[hoffbrew]

Thanks. I am sure it is something stupid thats why I thought I would just mess with it when I get home today, wasnt going to post anything but thought this would be good for Monday am talk!! Should have grabbed manuals this morning but you know how that goes...

[canesfan]

You said you checked the fuses/breakers on the genny itself, did you check the ones on your power distribution panel in the coach too? Although if they were tripped you wouldn't have shore power either, so never mind.

[canesfan]

Lol, yeah, thanks, I keep thinking it's Sunday for some reason. I just finished lunch and have a few minutes so I'm going to grab the manual. On a side note, I don't know if it still applies but older Onans wouldn't run if not producing electric from my understanding. But this is my first Onan so I have no previous experience. Might need to grab manuals and a couple drinks.

[hoffbrew]

Suppose to be 104 degrees by Wednesday, so if I dont check it today I will wait till I take trailer in for awning motor... which I am just realizing I havent called them back to set up appt. I have to call now.

[canesfan]

I found this online, go to page 23, it won't let me copy and paste it

http://www.cumminsonan.com/www/html/...s/983-0101.pdf

It basically says if there is no power and the genny is running to check/reset the circuit breakers on either the genny or the power distribution panel.

[hoffbrew]

Yes did all that, I will empty out front storage and check out the inverter/converter... whatever the heck that thing is!!! lol

[canesfan]

I'd check the transfer switch first, see if you are getting 120V to it from the genny. Mine is mounted on the basement wall opposite side from the genny. Be careful what you touch in there. My thinking is along the lines of everything works on shore power but not on genny power.

[hoffbrew]

Mine is mounted there as well, in storage area.

[Festus2]

hoffbrew/canesfan -
If all of your systems are working when you are just plugged into shore power (no generator), then it would seem that your converter (not inverter) is functioning properly.

The transfer switch, a wire or wires leading to or from it, a fuse, or relay, relating to the switch would be suspect. Not sure if you are aware but there has been a past recall of transfer switches in certain models and years.

I might suggest - and not trying to be disrespectful - that if your knowledge and experience in dealing with these kinds of electrical issues - other than checking fuses and some other simple, basic procedures, is not what it should be, then I would get the service guys to check it out when you take your awning in for the motor replacement. I get a little nervous when I read about well-meaning folks who were "just poking around some electrical circuit --- manual in one hand, meter in the other - not really knowing what they are doing. Again, no disrespect intended here.

Around electricity, even a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing and I wouldn't want to read a post by you telling us that you got "zapped" or you fried your transfer switch, converter, generator or all three.

Sometimes, these thing are best left to those who know what they are looking for and know how to repair it - SAFELY!

[hoffbrew]

Agreed 100%, I am just going to check fuses and breakers 1 more time and that is it. I will have trailer at shop Wednesday so I will ask them for sure!