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Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

I inherited a new generator characteristic after the last service work.  Service work was to replace cracked and leaking fuel  lines, oil change and coolant replacement.  I was on a tight schedule and did not feel the need to hit the start/stop switch on the dash before I left the shop.  Shame on me indeed.

Anyway, I cycle the systems on a regular basis and the following week I attempted to start the generator and the dash switch did not work.  I do not have familiarity with the functions on the attached control box, but it was obviously for controlling the generator.  Two switches, the one on the left is a true toggle and the one on the right is a momentary switch.  I can get the generator to start by flipping the toggle switch and then I can shut the generator off with the momentary switch on the dash.  Rather than this trial and error method, I was hoping I could get the true functions of the two switched on the control box.  Why suddenly the dash momentary switch will not start the generator, but will kill it after I start it from the control box really does not make sense.

I was hoping the shop left the toggle switch in the wrong position, but I can never get it started from the dash switch.  Each time I have to flip the toggle switch on the control box.

I did not want to make a special trip to the shop, so any feedback is appreciated.

Jamie Kimble
Jamie Kimble
1999 U295 36'

Re: Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

Reply #1 –
You might want to lift the cover to all the "stuff" behind the instrument panel. Look for loose connecters, especially any that connect to the start/stop switch for the generator.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

Reply #2 –
My Power Tech generator has on/off and run/stop switches on the generator box.  In order to control the generator from inside my switches have to be "on" and "stop".  I'm a 98 U320.
BJ Holden
'98 U320 36'
Motorcade #16754

Re: Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

Reply #3 –
BJ, does you control box look similar to the mine ?  No labels on mine, unfortunately.  The left switch is a toggle, and the right switch is a momentary one, similar to the one on the dash board.  I've attempted to start the generator from the dash, and nothing happens.  If I then flip the toggle switch to the opposite of the attachment, still no start.  If I flip it back, then it will start from the dash.  Bizarre ?  You bet.

jk
Jamie Kimble
1999 U295 36'

Re: Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

Reply #4 –
Mine looks like the picture here, different than yours but I would guess that the buttons do the same thing.  Not the best picture since the switches are only slightly in the picture.

The one of the left is the START/STOP/pre-heat switch.  The one on the right is the ON/OFF switch.  Obviously, if the ON/OFF switch if OFF, the generator won't start at all so this must be ON to have the dash controls work.  However, this doesn't mean that the generator turns on, you must also flip up the momentary START/STOP switch to operate the generator.

Since your switches are not labelled, you must find out which one is the START/STOP and which is the ON/OFF.  ON/OFF needs to be in the ON position and START/STOP needs to be in the middle or lower position.

Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3
 

Re: Control Box Functions - 1999 U295

Reply #5 –
Spoke to the guys at Foretravel  and they indicated that the control box can get out of sync with the switch inside the coach.  During the last round of maintenance work, they must have started the generator from inside and then shut it down via the control box.  Long story short, the momentary switch on the control box will toggle a relay, so if left in the wrong state, the switch inside the RV will not work.  So a quick cycle from the control box outside and all things normal again.  I can start and stop the generator from inside.  My control box looks pretty antiquated so this scenario may only apply to me, but at least now I know.  Only 7,435 more tricks to learn about this coach 

:-)
Jamie Kimble
1999 U295 36'