Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: RetiredGuns on December 14, 2018, 05:17:10 am
Title: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: RetiredGuns on December 14, 2018, 05:17:10 am
The frustrating continuing saga of "Fun" Experiences on this Journey of ours! So, 2 days ago, I plugged into Shore power, and the Whole AC Circuit did not come on. Now, understand we had a Particular Circuit, that has plagued us, for over 10 days now! The Circuit Breaker for the Trash Compactor (Now Unplugged) and Refrigerator (Relocated supply to the Ice Maker Receptacle so it would work) and the A/C D/C Monitor, are all Inoperable on that circuit! I have had 3 different so called RV Repair facilities attempt troubleshooting! All 3 swore it was the $4.00 Circuit breaker! They insisted replacing that, and well, that is as far as their troubleshooting skills went! They were stumped, and I even offered a $100.00 Bonus to the last Tech, who failed to fix it, or even had a clue, after replacing the Circuit breaker! I am now in Ozark Arkansas, and ready to get rolling, but if anyone happens to have a clue of just where to start, I'd appreciate it!
Our Destination is Lompoc CA, in Santa Barbara County. We will possibly be in Las Vegas, for a day or two, but willing to stay a few days anywhere along our route to get it repaired properly! If anyone has a Recommendation, of just WHO to take it to, I'd appreciate it, as well!
I just started the Generator, and there is no AC working at all! It seems to be charging the Batteries up though? It's been on for 45 Mins and has taken the House Batteries from 10.2V DC to 11.6V DC! That is the Lowest I have ever had these New House Batteries, and have had them last through the night on the trip, with a Minimum of 11.5V DC.
The Alternator works great and the Inverter does Supply AC Voltage when running down the road, and when stopped, just fine! Shore Power, or Genny, just Kicks it right off!
It's frustrating, but I am continuing on, and Hopefully get this resolved, because I will be on Shore Power with No Way to use my AC Power!
We have Killed 3 Mice now, and are Crediting them with my current situation! The LOVE to chew Plastic, don't they?
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: turbojack on December 14, 2018, 07:21:27 am
Do your AC's work? Does the microwave work? Do the TV's work? Do you have power to other plugs such as bathroom, by living area, or ones in compartments?
You might get a plug tester to see if you are loosing the hot or the neutral. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Tools-GFCI-Outlet-Tester-Green-MS102H/206029151
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Gerry Vicha on December 14, 2018, 07:38:11 am
Sounds to me like it may be the "Transfer Switch" or the "Inverter" transfer switch going bad or making only partial switch. Corroded contact points? Gen set should power up all 110 ac systems. When on "shore" power try running an extension cord direct to an appliance, not going through the main supply system. (by pass the transfer switch)
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on December 14, 2018, 10:14:54 am
Think Gerry is going in the right direction. It's easy to pull the top off the transfer switch and check it or better still, have an electrician do it. Very easy to clean the points but you have to unplug from shore power first or it could be shocking or worse.
PIerce
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: jor on December 14, 2018, 10:44:27 am
I'm with Gerry and Pierce. Pop the top off the transfer switch (I think you have only one) and you just might find a burned neutral. That's what happened to me a few years ago with our 95. jor
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: stevec22 on December 14, 2018, 11:20:15 am
If you decide to go to a shop to have them look at it. I recommend a guy north on I49 in Springdale, AR. Ron's RV repair. Ron Mcgaugh has been in the RV business for 30 plus years. His family owned McGaugh RV sales and service, but sold the business a few years ago. Don't go to McGaughs, but call Ron. 479-365-7299
His shop is about 60 miles north of I40 just off of I49 at Wagon Wheel Road. I store my coach at his place during the summer and he works on it when needed. Ron does all the work himself and does not have any techs. Call and see when he can get to your coach.
Rons RV (https://www.ronsrvrepairnwa.com/)
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: RetiredGuns on December 14, 2018, 11:24:22 am
Good points, all! Thanks! Now that I think about it, I did not "Hear" the transfer make it's usual noise! Time to raise the bed and take the cover off of it, to look at those points! Thanks for giving me a Direction, it is a lead, and needs to THE Starting POINT (Pun Intended)! Should I use sandpaper to clean them? Nail File? And will it be obvious if they are beyond hope? It does make sense they could be corroded though. The year that it just sat was so wet and the Humidity was excessive this entire year!
Remember the Inverter works just fine, it's ONLY when applying Shore Power, or Genny! On House Batteries all but that ONE Circuit I talked about Then I have NO AC! You guys are Golden, in every way....what an awesome lifeline you all are! Thank you again, and again! Even the so called "Experts" in the RV Repair Business, seem to have No Clue...or so it appears to me so far?
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Tom Lang on December 14, 2018, 12:00:09 pm
When my 2003 acted that way four years ago, it was a burned out contactior in the ATS. Check the schematics and see how many transfer switches you have. My failed ATS was an easy fix.
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Subsilked on December 14, 2018, 12:04:24 pm
The frustrating continuing saga of "Fun" Experiences on this Journey of ours! So, 2 days ago, I plugged into Shore power, and the Whole AC Circuit did not come on. Now, understand we had a Particular Circuit, that has plagued us, for over 10 days now! The Circuit Breaker for the Trash Compactor (Now Unplugged) and Refrigerator (Relocated supply to the Ice Maker Receptacle so it would work) and the A/C D/C Monitor, are all Inoperable on that circuit! I have had 3 different so called RV Repair facilities attempt troubleshooting! All 3 swore it was the $4.00 Circuit breaker! They insisted replacing that, and well, that is as far as their troubleshooting skills went! They were stumped, and I even offered a $100.00 Bonus to the last Tech, who failed to fix it, or even had a clue, after replacing the Circuit breaker! I am now in Ozark Arkansas, and ready to get rolling, but if anyone happens to have a clue of just where to start, I'd appreciate it!
Our Destination is Lompoc CA, in Santa Barbara County. We will possibly be in Las Vegas, for a day or two, but willing to stay a few days anywhere along our route to get it repaired properly! If anyone has a Recommendation, of just WHO to take it to, I'd appreciate it, as well!
I just started the Generator, and there is no AC working at all! It seems to be charging the Batteries up though? It's been on for 45 Mins and has taken the House Batteries from 10.2V DC to 11.6V DC! That is the Lowest I have ever had these New House Batteries, and have had them last through the night on the trip, with a Minimum of 11.5V DC.
The Alternator works great and the Inverter does Supply AC Voltage when running down the road, and when stopped, just fine! Shore Power, or Genny, just Kicks it right off!
It's frustrating, but I am continuing on, and Hopefully get this resolved, because I will be on Shore Power with No Way to use my AC Power!
We have Killed 3 Mice now, and are Crediting them with my current situation! The LOVE to chew Plastic, don't they?
When you say you dont have AC... are you talking about Airconditioning... or the AC side of the transfer switch... we had to recently replace some elements of our ATS due to a broken capacitor... the generator would start up and run ( a little fast) but the ATS would not allow gen electric to pass thru... but all good with shorepower with all systems....
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: RetiredGuns on December 14, 2018, 12:30:06 pm
If you decide to go to a shop to have them look at it. I recommend a guy north on I49 in Springdale, AR. Ron's RV repair. Ron Mcgaugh has been in the RV business for 30 plus years. His family owned McGaugh RV sales and service, but sold the business a few years ago. Don't go to McGaughs, but call Ron. 479-365-7299
His shop is about 60 miles north of I40 just off of I49 at Wagon Wheel Road. I store my coach at his place during the summer and he works on it when needed. Ron does all the work himself and does not have any techs. Call and see when he can get to your coach.
Rons RV (https://www.ronsrvrepairnwa.com/)
Thank you so much for his contact! We just chatted, and pretty much in agreement the the Mice have done their deed, on my coach! I am still going to look at the Transfer Switch, for issues, but the way I see it, they were in the Metal Pan that runs the Length of the coach, under the Main floor, and top of the Compartments! I did find a Mouse Nest sticking out of one! That is our Conduit, and I am now Convinced that is where the Mice have enjoyed munching away at the wiring insulation! They had over 14 Months to do so, and that could mean a lot of wires to Physically look at, as even Ohming them out with a meter, simply means that they haven't had a chance to touch yet! With the coach vibrations, they have finally made contact, and gave me what I have, right now!
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on December 14, 2018, 12:33:34 pm
Thank you so much for his contact! We just chatted, and pretty much in agreement the the Mice have done their deed, on my coach! I am still going to look at the Transfer Switch, for issues, but the way I see it, they were in the Metal Pan that runs the Length of the coach, under the Main floor, and top of the Compartments! I did find a Mouse Nest sticking out of one! That is our Conduit, and I am now Convinced that is where the Mice have enjoyed munching away at the wiring insulation! They had over 14 Months to do so, and that could mean a lot of wires to Physically look at, as even Ohming them out with a meter, simply means that they haven't had a chance to touch yet! With the coach vibrations, they have finally made contact, and gave me what I have, right now!
Lots of mice/rats have also been in ours. They ate the new HDMI cable I installed quickly. No sign of them eating any Romex anywhere so check your transfer switch first. If rodents eat the Romex so it shorts, a breaker will trip.
Pierce
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: DavidS on December 14, 2018, 04:22:31 pm
Set up in vegas if you can.. on your way through
Happy Hals Rv.. 702 280-0320 they did me good on my slide
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: FourTravelers on December 15, 2018, 08:20:22 am
Tom, I wouldn't focus too hard on the mice damage, for NO AC circuits to work, logic seems that there would be either multiple branch circuit breakers tripping or the main generator breaker would need to trip (or pedistal breaker). Look closely at the transfer switch for shore or gen set power, one or both legs could be failing to make good contact connection. OR..... not energizing at all. Start there and let us know if you have voltage on the load (common) side. If so we can move to the next step. Make sure all of your neutral (white) wire connections are tight in the transfer switch box.
Mice will chew on insulation but I have never experienced them chewing thru a #14 gauge copper wire much less a #6 that is most likely feeding the transfer switch.
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: jor on December 15, 2018, 09:42:22 am
Here's a photo of my 95's ATS showing the burnt neutral wire fyi. jor
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Jack Lewis on December 15, 2018, 11:14:59 am
When my ac failed, it was the transfer switch, bought the best Camping World had in stock, replaced myself, back working the same day.
I wanted the PD52DCS Progressive Dynamics that was not in stock, and so I got the in stock Progressive Dynamics PD52S catalog # 50065 and it is much quieter than than my old one. The PD52DCS has the quieter DC couls. 50 Amp Surge Protected Transfer Switch - Progressive Dynamics PD52DCSV -... (https://www.campingworld.com/50-amp-surge-protected-transfer-switch)
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: RetiredGuns on December 18, 2018, 01:44:34 am
I should make it to my Destination Tomorrow, and will check the Transfer switch out! We limped it this far, so hopefully we can make this happen in the Next few days, perhaps? I will post the fix, then! Thanks ALL!
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on December 18, 2018, 04:28:33 am
Do you have the OEM Heart inverter charger? Did you check the circuit breakers on the inverter? Sounds like a inverter problem.
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: RetiredGuns on December 18, 2018, 06:52:38 am
Do you have the OEM Heart inverter charger? Did you check the circuit breakers on the inverter? Sounds like a inverter problem.
WOW! Guess what, That was it! The TRANSFER Circuit Breaker was in fact Tripped! It seemed really "Loose", but could just be the design! I HAVE POWER! Thanks! again, the value of this board is Golden, in every way! You just made my Boss, very happy! She gets to use her Girlie stuff now, without worrying how NOT to use too much Battery Power! Most Excellent!
Title: Re: A/C Electrical Issues, DC Side just fine!
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on December 18, 2018, 04:37:50 pm
Anytime you can fix a problem with the push of a finger and NOT having to drag the wallet out is GOLDEN!