Need help - Lost shore power this evening

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Need help - Lost shore power this evening

July 13, 2010, 12:30:39 am

We had a sudden loss of electric. The breaker on the pedestal was not tripped. I tested the pedestal and all is fine. I traced power back to the axle of the shore power reel and it is fine there. However, there is no power coming into the transfer switch. The two lights on the surge protector that is attached to the side of the transfer switch are not on.
When I started the generator everything worked fine.
The cord reel was installed new in March when we bought the coach, but I suspect it. The wiring diagram I have shows a junction box between the shore power cord and the transfer switch, but I have not been able to find it yet. Any ideas?
The cord leaves the reel and goes up behind a panel that is in front of the fresh water tank and is above the shelf that is just above the cord and hose reels. I am trying to get that panel off, but have run out of daylight plus I don't know if that will get me access to another point where I can measure the voltage.
If I remove the cord reel can I get the cover off the power cord side? And will I be able to test for voltage out there?
I know there is voltage to the reel, but not to the transfer switch.
Any help would be appreciated.
Sure glad I just replaced the house batteries.

Thanking you in advance. Dick

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #1 – July 13, 2010, 12:51:58 am

Quote

However, there is no power coming into the transfer switch. The two lights on the surge protector that is attached to the side of the transfer switch are not on.
When I started the generator everything worked fine.

Dick, if it is working with the Generator.
From the reel , there should not be any junction boxes and it should run directly into the transfer switch.
It is probably the points on the transfer switch.
I know you said there was no power at the transfer switch but did you check both sides of the relay.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #2 – July 13, 2010, 01:15:27 am

Thanks Barry,
I rechecked and found there is voltage on one side of the contactor in the transfer switch. I manually pushed in on the contactor tabs with my meter probe and the lights on the surge protector came on. But I heard a bit of a sizzle so I didn't try that again!
So, any idea why that contactor isn't pulling in?
At least now I don't have to take the reel apart.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #3 – July 13, 2010, 01:18:04 am

BTW, my wiring diagram is a little different than yours. It shows a junction box on the shore power side and the generator side, and it shows the surge protector.
See Attached.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #4 – July 13, 2010, 07:28:40 am

Dick, Sounds like the pull in coil on the transfer switch is open or wire on coil fell off. Either way if you test with insulated tool or stick, push down on movable part, should restore power as long as you hold it down. Make sure the generator is off first.
I had same problem, found the coil wire had fallen off. Installed new connector, all fine since.
FWIW
Dave

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #5 – July 13, 2010, 09:39:59 am

Quote

So, any idea why that contactor isn't pulling in?

It sounds like the coil is bad on the relay (Contactor) and needs to be replaced or as Dave said a loose wire.

We have the same coach. I am surprised your wiring diagram is different.
What is your 4 digit coach build number?

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #6 – July 13, 2010, 12:43:58 pm

Thanks. It definitely passes voltage when I manually push on the movable part of K1. But the monitor inside showed two amber polarity check lights although the lights were all green for a few seconds.
Can you buy parts for this transfer switch? I went to MavTech's webpage and couldn't find anything about transfer switches.
Can you identify the wires for the coil from the attached photos? I'm thinking its the smaller white and red that are on the same lugs and the large black and white???
Are the yellow things the actual coils? I can see that they have time delay adjustments, so the one with the shortest delay must be for K1/shore power?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #7 – July 13, 2010, 01:17:51 pm

Barry, Our coach number 6075.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #8 – July 13, 2010, 01:59:25 pm

Quote

BTW, my wiring diagram is a little different than yours. It shows a junction box on the shore power side and the generator side, and it shows the surge protector.
See Attached.

That pdf Shore power wiring diagram that you uploaded earlier is not for your coach.
It is for 6024 (mine), 6041 & 6060.
I don't think you have that junction box.

Quote

Can you identify the wires for the coil from the attached photos?

See photo
I have talked to MavTech in the past and got the surge protector & over/under relay part numbers.
They no longer make the transfer switch.
I think they made it specifically for Foretravel.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #9 – July 13, 2010, 09:26:21 pm

Barry, For some reason I am unable to open the last photo you sent. When I click on it, the "uploading" message just never completes.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #10 – July 13, 2010, 09:30:08 pm

I have decided to put my extended warranty to work and have contacted RnR RV Center in Spokane for an appointment. They have been highly recommended on the forums.
I also emailed James T for their recommendation for a replacement transfer switch.
I'll post a follow-up when it is fixed.
Thanks all.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #11 – July 13, 2010, 11:17:30 pm

Barry, I take it back. When I tried to open that photo this time it opened just fine. Thanks for that explanation.
When I measured across the white and red wires on the coil, there is no voltage. So either CR2 of TR1 are not being energized or one is defective. Does that sound right?

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #12 – July 14, 2010, 02:03:04 pm

Quote

So either CR2 of TR1 are not being energized or one is defective. Does that sound right?

I think so. I would guess CR2 is the culprit

Either the coil is open or the points are pitted.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #13 – July 18, 2010, 11:54:01 am

The problem appears to be relay CR2, the over/under voltage monitor. A new is coming and I put a jumper around the CR2 contact that is not closing. I will post a follow-up after I install the new relay.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #14 – August 01, 2010, 12:03:15 pm

I finally got the new part (orange voltage monitor relay) installed and the transfer switch is working the way it did from the factory again.
I am attaching my experience troubleshooting this and the specification for the faulty relay.
I will try to put these in the Files section for reference. But I'll wait to see if anyone notices any errors that I will correct.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #15 – August 01, 2010, 01:11:48 pm

Quote

I am attaching my experience troubleshooting this and the specification for the faulty relay.

Good job Dick.

But I noticed you have changed the timer to 2 seconds on the schematic from 45 seconds.
I was told that was at 45 seconds to allow the Generator to stabilize before connecting all the appliances.
I remember Foretravel checking that when I was at the factory.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #16 – August 02, 2010, 12:27:52 am

There is a 45 second second delay to allow the generator to stabilize. But for the shore power there is only a 2 second delay. As you stated on the schematic when CR2 contacts close it energizes TR1, which is set for 2 sec.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #17 – February 08, 2017, 06:36:13 pm

Sorry to bring up an old thread. But I encountered the same problem this past weekend. Although, I could manually push in on K1 Shore Power Contactor and it would pull in and work fine? Should I just go ahead and replace CR2?

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #18 – February 09, 2017, 12:18:57 am

Don't be sorry for bringing this up...Mine has had a hiccup or two & didn't know what to check..(read the posts tonight and went out and checked..found a loose wire)

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #19 – February 09, 2017, 07:25:09 am

Check for loose wires first before replacing. I think loose wires happen pretty often but if they are all tight then replacement might be in order. If you have an inline surge protector check that too for loose wires.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #20 – February 09, 2017, 08:41:40 am

All the wires looked good, We didn't have a Meter. I'll check it today when I get back. Once it's manually pushed in it holds until I unplug. Everything worked fine on generator side.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #21 – February 09, 2017, 09:28:01 am

Quote from: Dave & Danette – February 09, 2017, 08:41:40 am

All the wires looked good, We didn't have a Meter. I'll check it today when I get back. Once it's manually pushed in it holds until I unplug. Everything worked fine on generator side.

I would not think it is a bad relay since it is staying when you manual push it in, it stay in. My guess is their a problem with some wiring in getting the relay to close. Once it is closed a circuit on the relay is causing it to be held closed.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #22 – February 09, 2017, 10:02:05 am

Thanks for the replies and help. When I get back, I'll be able to check it out with a meter and hopefully determine what it is. I will also try the jumper wire and see if that works.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #23 – February 11, 2017, 01:26:29 am

Dave,
Check the voltage to the coil of K1 (A1 to A2). If it has 120 Vac when the the contactor is supposed to pull in then the problem is with K1. The over/under relay and the time delay relay are happy. If there isn't 120 Vac, then you will need to look further to see why.

Re: Need help - Lost shore power this evening

Reply #24 – February 18, 2017, 07:28:56 pm

Well, I ordered the relay,But it started working again so I didn't swap it out. I took a quick trip to Waco,TX to visit my Daughter. Everything worked fine. Just got back to Okc, plugged in and nothing? So I swapped out CR2 relay and all is fine. Thanks for all the info! I love being able to fix things, without having to spend a fortune. Found the relay on EBay for $40.00. Love this Forum!

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