Maybe someone here has knowledge of these magic things.
Last Fall, first trip, in an RV park. I plugged into the 50A socket, the xfer SW didn't make. Tried the 30A same. Ran the cord to share another pedestal, the other guy was plugged into the 50A socket, I plugged into the 30A. I know...I was on one leg of his. Worked, then he left, I plugged into the 50A socket he had left, nothing, plugged back into the 30A, nothing. Called the owner, who called an electrican. Tested all sockets, both pedestals and all checked good. After they left I dinked with it some more and all of a sudden the transfer switch made, and all was good. No more problems. Came home where I have a multi A pedestal, plugged in, all was good. Plugged into another pedestal, 30A, at my home, not a problem. Needed to relocate the FT for a couple of days, on the second day, for kicks, plugged into my Honda 2000 generator....worked fine. Went to Quartzsite, no problem until I tried to connect to my Honda again, wouldn't accept the power. The onboard generator is fine. The coach has a Progressive Ind power thingy, but it is after the transfer switch.
I'm guessing that the pull down coil on the shore side of the transfer switch is the problem...anyone else care to guess ?
(Fixed spelling and made title more descriptive - Michelle)
Don (Aristocart) had a similar problem at Quartzite with a Honda generator. Of course his on board generator wouldn't work either.
He wound up replacing the Progressive EMS and plugged in at a campground- everything good. Don't understand why it happened.
Maybe Don can shed more light on the subject.
Hope that helps.
In our case, plugging in to the Honda 2000 generator fried the progressive industries EMS after about 45 seconds. It may have been a case where it was on the cusp of dying anyway, but I have no way of knowing for sure. Ours is in front of the transfer switch, and just before everything died, the voltage from the Honda. Before the Progressive Industries EMS fried and died, the Power Watch showed reverse polarity (red light) and the voltage indication was pegged at 130 volts. Many on the forums use the Hondas, apparently with Progressive Industries blessing with the protection turned off (except for the surge protection, which can't be turned off). This is because the Honda puts 60 volts each on the hot and neutral... this isn't true of all inverter generators, but is true of the Hondas. My experience apparently isn't common, but I won't be plugging into that kind of a set up again! It kind of dominated my Quartzsite experience this year, whereas last year, it was dominated by a botched installation of our
Airfare Airforce One system. Maybe next year, I will have a chance to relax!
Don
The thing that confuses me is that the Honda worked fine here at home base. One thing I've found, some times, on the little generators, there is a need to tie the ground and common side together with a cheater plug. Don't remember how mine is presently configured, but whatever it is, it hasn't changed. When the weather breaks I'll try the Honda again here.
Dave,
I'm not sure as to the type transfer switch that was used in a '03 U-270 but all are made pretty much the same. It sounds like you have some pitted contacts in the transfer switch relay. Ours is pretty simple to change out. The whole rely is also available if it is burnt beyond repair like this one Replacing a Transfer Relay (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/replacing_a_transfer_relay.html)
Pamela & Mike
My xfer SW is composed of two Siemans motor starters a couple of time delay relays, and a few other things. The motor starters SHOULD last forever in an application like this....but I think they arer"fixable" if it is the contacts.
Dave, One thing I would check is the lugs where the wire makes into the transfer switch from the Progressive EMS to be sure there isn't a loose connection. I know when I installed the EMS it was a bugger to get the #6 wire tied in properly. Also you may want to check the same in the EMS box and also the junction box on the bay ceiling. Just a thought before you start replacing parts.
Off topic but hope you guys are enjoying the coach otherwise. I am looking out the window at 40" of snow on the ground and sure do miss it right now!
Dean
Thanks for the reply Dean, I'm waiting on the weather to get nice, then gonna hit it. I hope I find the real problem! Hate things that "fix themselves" without exposing the problem.
5000+ GREAT miles since we left your place. May make another run to Alaska this summer...or maybe Labradore ? You do still have wheels.....
Can you try a different power cord?