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Partial electrical power loss

Was tailgating this weekend and running on generator power when we lost power to all outlets including the bedroom tv.  It is not a tripped breaker.  Thought maybe the GFI in the bathroom was bad put pulled it and no power going to it.  Had someone suggest it could be a lost leg on one of my inverters.  There is no fault code on eith er one.  How would I check for lost leg on inverter?  If not inverter any thoughts as to cause?
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #1 –
Gerard,

Likely, you have more than the one GFI.  Make sure all have been reset.

Most inverters have breakers on the unit itself.  Cycle them.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #2 –
Are you getting power to the generator fan? I had the same problem on our trip last week and it was the generator reset button. It wasn't tripped but pushing it in and out a few times got it going. I replaced it Friday.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Gerard,

Likely, you have more than the one GFI.  Make sure all have been reset.

Most inverters have breakers on the unit itself.  Cycle them.
I did reset both and no luck. I have looked for another GFI but can't locate one
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #4 –
Quote from: lavocat –
Was tailgating this weekend and running on generator power when we lost power to all outlets including the bedroom tv.  It is not a tripped breaker. 

Gerard,

Did you still have power to other 120 Vac items like the air conditioners?  Have you plugged into 50 Amp since and if so, do those outlets work on shore power?

If so, do you have the schematics for your coach and can you post the page that shows the generator/shoreline overview?  A couple of things come to mind if only one main is down like the generator not putting out power on one leg (breaker on generator) or a problem with the transfer switch contactor(s).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #5 –
Reset both breakers located on generator??

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #6 –
I have reset the generator breakers and not that.  I have spoken with Trianna and he is stumped as well unless the one GFI is bad.  I only have one, he confirmed that.  If not bad GFI then it maybe bad breaker uder the bed but likely not since there other things in coach that he says is on that breaker that works.  Only items not working are outlets.  A/C microwave fridge etc are working.  Will go over it all this evening after work.  Thx for all the input.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #7 –
Have you checked for voltage going INTO both 120 volt breakers on the generator?
 You need to confirm that the generator is powering both legs.
If it is, go to the schematic and keep moving to the next device on down the line till you find the loss.
Again, what happens when pluged into a 50 Amp shore outlet?
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #8 –
OK folks I have the same problem whether plugged in to shore power or running on generator.  Everything else except outlets are working.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #9 –
Quote from: lavocat –
OK folks I have the same problem whether plugged in to shore power or running on generator.  Everything else except outlets are working.

Something to try; you had said it wasn't a breaker or the GFCI, but have you tried deliberately switch off and back on the breaker for the circuit that has those outlets? 

I don't know if your coach is wired like ours, since I think yours is all electric and has 2 inverters, but do you have a main panel that is only powered by shore and then a second panel with the circuits that are powered by the inverter?  The breaker for the outlets is in that second panel in our coach.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Something to try; you had said it wasn't a breaker or the GFCI, but have you tried deliberately switch off and back on the breaker for the circuit that has those outlets? 

I don't know if your coach is wired like ours, since I think yours is all electric and has 2 inverters, but do you have a main panel that is only powered by shore and then a second panel with the circuits that are powered by the inverter?  The breaker for the outlets is in that second panel in our coach.
Michelle,
  I do have to breaker panels and according to James Trianna the circuit breaker for those outlets is #5.  I have switched it on and off with no luck.  James claims that there are other items on that circuit and since they are working that breaker is good.  I have an electrical contractor friend coming over this evening to test everything and hopefully find out the source of the problem.  I suppose it could be that we lost one leg of one of the two inverters but I am not getting any fault code on either inverter.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #11 –
Quote from: lavocat –
Michelle,
  I do have to breaker panels and according to James Trianna the circuit breaker for those outlets is #5. 

I would try resetting all breakers just in case it isn't #5,
or maybe it's #5 in the other panel.

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #12 –
If...IF yours is kinda wired like my much older unit, you have 2 heavy wires going from the buss (1 each leg) to a transfer switch (no. 2), no breaker on this line. This feed is from both shore and generator, determined by the main transfer switch (no.1). Each inverter is feeding the other side of that transfer switch (no.2)....again no breaker. The output from that xfer switch feeds the inverter sub-panel. That panel is protected by one breaker, probably a double in your case. I'd look at transfer switch no.2, maybe try some persuasive percussion on it? This is ALL speculation on my part, not knowing your system, or having access to the drawings makes it all a crap shoot. Surprised that James could help though.

One added question, which you MAY have answered, do you have the problem when running on the inverters ?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #13 –
I don't really know how to help you but having owned a 06 Phenix, mine did not have two inverters.  Neither did any other that I have ever seen.  So if the second inverter is a add on by previous owner I would start there.

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #14 –
Looking at the photos of C1905 on the MOT site, their are, I believe, 2x Magnum inverters. Don't Magnums have a CB on them ? But, if that coach is wired with a similar concept as mine, just doubled, the breaker on the inverter would not affect the shore/generator power.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #15 –
Problem found and solved.  First the number 5 breaker was the right one so Trianna was right.  However the breaker was fine.  We lifted the bed to find a junction box and one of the connections in the box must have been loose because when I twisted on it everything came back on.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #16 –
Gerard,

Excellent, glad it was something easy.

Thanks for the update.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Partial electrical power loss

Reply #17 –
Glad you are on the right track. A loose wire is a bit of a safety issue in my world. If you are comfortable with electrical stuff you probably what to find out what is loose and make it tight.  If not, then get Sparky to do it.  Safe thing to do is to make sure it is OK. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN