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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Lt403 on March 08, 2021, 02:58:02 pm

Title: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Lt403 on March 08, 2021, 02:58:02 pm
The other day i arrived at Foretravel to spend the night.

I hooked up my surge protector and i got the 2 green lights. Shut off the 50 amp breakers and connected my shore power to the surge protector. turned 50 amp beaker back on and my surge protector gave me 2 green lights again but nothing on the transfer switch.
I tried it again, a few times actually, at the same pedestal and nothing.

Since it was cold outside i knew we could use 30 amps and be fine. switched surge protector and shore power to 30 amp receptacle on the same pedestal and right away we had power.

Any comments or explanations as to why?

Was at 2 different parks and at my friends house with no issues using 50 amps afterwards.

Is there a test that i could do to check my transfer switch?

thanks frank
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 08, 2021, 03:25:05 pm
I would suspect the pole. I think at FT you were on the side near the building and those poles have a cable extension to a small box with a receptacle .  They sit out in weather.  All pf the posts at FT are older and have seen a lot of use. If it seems to work elsewherethen next time at FT park in a different spot.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 08, 2021, 03:27:47 pm
Roger is likely on the right path.

BUT, it costs nothing other than a few minutes to open the ATS and verify that all connections are clean, tight and no sign of overheating (melted insulation).

This is really part of a good annual inspection/maintenance.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Lt403 on March 08, 2021, 03:47:10 pm
Thank you both.
I did take the cover off and look inside.
Looked clean , wires tight
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Old Toolmaker on March 08, 2021, 06:39:35 pm

Was at 2 different parks and at my friends house with no issues using 50 amps afterwards.

Is there a test that i could do to check my transfer switch?

thanks frank


First things first Frank.  The transfer switch is only energized when the generator is supplying the power.  So Shore power equals no clunk.

One way to test your transfer switch is to take off the cover, start the generator, and watch and hear the transfer switch close.  It's a bit harder the other way because there's no time delay switching back to shore power, only the generator's falling voltage.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 08, 2021, 07:05:21 pm
Actually, the "clunk" depends on which power source is "favored".  On most coaches, generator is favored, so, indeed there is a "clunk" when the relays close and shore power is the power source.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Phranko on March 08, 2021, 07:59:38 pm
We skipped the "pigtail" extenders while we were there, plugged straight into the post, no problems.
I did see a couple of other folks back in, plug in, then move to another spot.

Price is right though.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Michelle on March 08, 2021, 08:14:48 pm
In a 2003 as OP has, if there is still the OEM transfer switch (Maverick), there are over/under relays that prevent the transfer switch from passing low or high voltage.  The relays do sometimes go bad.  They are also adjustable, but one should NOT adjust them without a calibrated voltage source to make sure you are not adjusting them to allow too low or high a voltage to pass.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: AC7880 on March 08, 2021, 08:29:31 pm
In a 2003 as OP has, if there is still the OEM transfer switch (Maverick), there are over/under relays that prevent the transfer switch from passing low or high voltage.  The relays do sometimes go bad. 

They are also adjustable, but one should NOT adjust them without a calibrated voltage source to make sure you are not adjusting them to allow too low or high a voltage to pass.


One likely exception to adjusting the voltage on the Maverick without a calibrated voltage source.  In our case the Progressive (add on) EMS still protects for under/over voltage.  And my very inexpesinve volt meter agreed with the Progressive.

The Maverick caused us issues twice, onece for under voltage and once for over voltage.  In both cases the Progressive was passing the same voltage the Maverick was refusing.  I adjusted for both on the Maverick, since the Progressive EMS still provides protection.



Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on March 08, 2021, 08:35:33 pm
ATC Diversified Electronics - VBA-120-ALA - Votlage Monitoring Relay,... (https://www.alliedelec.com/product/atc-diversified-electronics/vba-120-ala/70225630/)
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: Old Toolmaker on March 08, 2021, 08:58:09 pm
So circling back to Post #1, every thing is hunky dory.  Frank's incoming electricity protection was working as it should.

I would suspect the pole. I think at FT you were on the side near the building and those poles have a cable extension to a small box with a receptacle .  They sit out in weather.  All pf the posts at FT are older and have seen a lot of use. If it seems to work elsewherethen next time at FT park in a different spot.
Title: Re: shore power Transfer switch question
Post by: turbojack on March 08, 2021, 09:48:16 pm
When I was there before or after the new year there was a power pole that backs up to the fence that had a bad plug    I told them about it. Sounds like they have not gotten fixed yet  When I am back up there this weekend I will look into it