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Topic: Surge guard transfer switch.  (Read 317 times) previous topic - next topic

Surge guard transfer switch.

While washing clothes my transfer switch started tripping in and out intermittently while washer was running. Tried turning the washer on and off several times then finally got a F1 code on the washer which could be a short circuit control board. What has got me confused is with the washer off you cannot unplug it or turn off the breaker to the washer without the transfer switch trying to trip out and in repeatedly. I tried unplugging the power cord at the pedestal then turning the breaker to the washer off and reinstalling the power cord but it still tries to trip the transfer switch in and out. As long as you keep the washer plug in and turned off with breaker on everything is good.i have no problem running everything else in the motorhome just the washer.

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Johnrb1967 –
What has got me confused is with the washer off you cannot unplug it or turn off the breaker to the washer without the transfer switch trying to trip out and in repeatedly. I tried unplugging the power cord at the pedestal then turning the breaker to the washer off and reinstalling the power cord but it still tries to trip the transfer switch in and out. As long as you keep the washer plug in and turned off with breaker on everything is good.i have no problem running everything else in the motorhome just the washer.

With the breaker to the washer off, yet the transfer switch still tripping, that seems to indicate either a problem with the breaker or a problem with the wiring in the breaker box.  Possibly a stray wire or loose screw allowing intermittent contact.  I'd kill all power to the breaker box (if the breaker is in the sub-panel box off the inverter, shut off the inverter as well)

The Splendides are very sensitive to stray voltage, so there's a good chance the problem isn't the washer but the wiring going to it.
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: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #2 –
I'm not understanding why it only try's to trip the transfer switch while the washer is running or when you turn the breaker off or try to unplug the washer. As long as you leave the washer plugged in and turned off and leave the breaker on everything is fine. I'm really missing something on this one.

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Johnrb1967 –
I'm not understanding why it only try's to trip the transfer switch while the washer is running or when you turn the breaker off or try to unplug the washer. As long as you leave the washer plugged in and turned off and leave the breaker on everything is fine. I'm really missing something on this one.

I'd start by working backwards.  From what you describe, the issue is between the breaker and the washer.  I'd turn off the breaker to the washer and inspect the wiring to that breaker and maybe replace the breaker itself.  Then I would take the washer outlet cover off and inspect the wiring there.  Outlets are easy, so maybe replace that with a high quality one as well.

Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #4 –
Kind of along what Joe is talking about but a little more detail.

By what you describe you need to check the receptacle that the washer is plugged into. I have had those plugs fail as most are in series which effects loading. With the washer plugged in the washer plug is holding the spades from shorting out. Those plugs are thrifty made and do fail. Kill all the power and remove that plug and give it a good look over when you unsnap the 2 clips on the back which will let the back come off.

After rereading your post does the problem continue if the breaker to that circuit is is turned off?

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #5 –
I'm not able to turn the breaker off without it tripping the transfer switch. When I'm able I'm gonna gonna try swapping to gen power and seeing if the conditions are the same. Then I'll look at the breaker and receptacle. Hopefully something will show up there.

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #6 –
With that you may have a breaker failing or the buss that the breaker is hooked to is shorting out so give that area a good look over also.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #7 –
Just swap over to gen power and unplugged shore power. Everything works fine. I can unplug the washer and or flip the breaker off and it's not tripping the transfer switch. Now I'm leaning to the sensory circuits in the transfer switch or possibly something might be wrong with the park power. I haven't had this MH long and I haven't invested in an external power monitor. I had one for years on my other MH but wanted a newer model with this unit. Thanks everyone for all the advice. I will
Eventually get it

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #8 –
I wrote my post and did not read your last post so deleted and rewrote.

Yes you need to get a power monitor / surge protector to put at the pole. I will save your butt sometime along the way.

The transfer switches uses two different contacts, one for generator and one for shore power.  Possible problem with shore power contact, but I don't think that is the problem. I feel problem is pedestal or getting power to the transfer switch.

Do you have a cord reel or do you have the plug  that you connect your shore cord to the motorhome.  If you have the twist plug at the coach, have you disconnected that, then reinstall and twist to tighten it?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #9 –
Have not gotten a power monitor yet. Yes I do have a cord reel. I guess that's something else that I could check

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Johnrb1967 –
Just swap over to gen power and unplugged shore power. Everything works fine. I can unplug the washer and or flip the breaker off and it's not tripping the transfer switch. Now I'm leaning to the sensory circuits in the transfer switch or possibly something might be wrong with the park power.

Not sure which transfer switch you have, but there have been quite a few posts on iRV2 in the Entegra board in the past where people were having issues with screws being loose in the surge protector transfer switch that Entegra used/uses. 

It would be good to check those connections, especially on the shoreline contactor, as well.
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: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Johnrb1967 –
Yes I do have a cord reel. I guess that's something else that I could check

Yes this could have a bad brush or it could be a bad spot on the commutator ring. If you turn off the breakers on post and just pull out a few inches of cable it will have a different spot where the brushes touch. This is a simple test to start with.

Miike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #12 –
Thanks. We will definitely try that on the cord reel.

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #13 –
If you put in your coach info, it might help us to help you.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel
 

Re: Surge guard transfer switch.

Reply #14 –
Sorry. Should have started off with that. I have a 2010 nimbus 4534. It has a TRC surge guard transfer switch.