Coach has two transfer switches, #1 in the power bay and #2 under the bed. The coach has an additional #3 transfer switch built into the Xantrax ProSine 2500W inverter/converter that isn't being used because of the way Foretravel wired the coach. According to the wiring schematic the power bay #1 transfer switch controls the power source from either shore or the on-board generator, Power Tech 10W genset
1. The wiring schematic states the default on #1 transfer switch is the Power Tech 10W genset. This logic doesn't make sense. Shore power should be the main source and if it fails the genset should kick on and #1 transfer switch, switch to genset power. When would one be using genset power and be plugged in at the same time and not using shore power? What am I missing here?
2. When I transitioned from a 5th wheel travel trailer to my Foretravel motorcoach I brought with me a 2000W Honda portable genset. I would like to use the Honda genset to complete charging the coach batteries when dry camping. My plan is to bulk charge the batteries with the on-board Power Tech 10W genset and finish the charge cycle with the Honda. When the Xantrax ProSine 2500W inverter/converter finishes the bulk charge it goes into float mode sending very little charge into the batteries, thus it takes a long time to complete the charge cycle for the batteries. It seems wasteful to run the large generator which consumes lots of fuel for so little charge output when I could use the Honda for the same purpose. Unfortunately, when I plug in my shore power cord into the Honda, #1 transfer switch goes crazy switching back and forth. It's like it cannot figure out which leg the power is coming from. I set the ProSine charger on it's lowest power draw setting of 10 amps AC with 55 amps DC charge.
My transfer switch will go crazy if I forget to turn off the a/c or any other large loads.
All of the coaches I have worked on have worked like this. If plugged into shore power and the generator is started they will switch to generator even though the shore power is still plugged in. I think that is what is meant about the generator being default. It would appear that there is a voltage issue with the Honda generator. You may have to set your inverter ac input to 5 amps so that when it goes into bulk charge as it always does when first plugged into power it won't be pulling more power than the Honda can provide.
Different coach models use different transfer switches, some have generator priority and some have shore priority...
Very nice to have generator priority when shore is plugged into 20 or 30 amp or any marginal shore voltage, and one wants to run a high amp load like microwave. Just leave shore plugged in, start generator and run microwave, then when finished, turn off generator. All automatic without having to leave coach to unplug shore cable.
Xantrex transfer switch is partially used to carry inverter power to transfer switch #2.
IIRC the transfer switch hunting when plugged in to the generator is a Honda wiring thing. It has to do with either how they wire the ground or neutral and the transfer switch don't like it. I can't find the thread now that gives more details.
Pamela & Mike
Honda generators used as a shore power source can be problematic, and dangerous.
Generator Ground-Neutral Bonding | No~Shock~Zone (http://noshockzone.org/generator-ground-neutral-bonding/)
Barry,
That is what I was looking for, man you are good.
Mike
Thanks to all for the replies. When I first purchased the Honda genset in 2015 for my 5W, I noticed right away that the GFI receptacles in the trailer would not work properly when powered by the genset. Did some research and found the work around about making a dummy plug with the ground and neutral terminals wired together. I made one, plugged it into the 20A receptacle on the genset and it solved the GFI problem. The genset has two receptacles, 20A and 30A. I thought maybe this was the problem with the MC, but it just doesn't like the Honda genset power. I guess I could submit the question to FOT engineering so they could research the issue at $115/hour if I really needed an answer. lol
We were at the Quartzsite gathering a few years ago and our Powertech 8K wouldn't stay running. A fellow Foretraveler was kind enough to let us borrow his Honda generator. It almost instantly fried the Progressive Industries hardwired EMS... We never figured out exactly why, as he had the same EMS and had used his generator regularly. Barry's link may be the explanation.... Expensive lesson, though I still have the fried one and expect to send it in and get a replacement, but at the time I went to the big tent and bought a new one to get us back to the prior status quo. That dummy plug to bond the neutral to ground may have made the difference, but I will never plug the coach in to one of those portable generators just to test that theory ::)
Don
If you can get by without air conditioning, and get by with what your inverter will run, the honda eu2000 or other small quiet generator and a big battery charger will keep your batteries charged up, and you will not have to worry about your ems.
40 Amp Battery Charger w/ 110A Engine Start - BC4009 | STANLEY Tools (http://www.stanleytools.com/products/automotive-tools/other-tools/battery-chargers/40-amp-battery-charger-w-110a-engine-start/bc4009)
True this! That is actually how we got by that night... I had forgotten.
Don