Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Topic: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics, (Read 2082 times) previous topic - next topic

Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

December 19, 2013, 05:44:59 pm

I have removed my Genny totally from my Coach, As I will be going full Solar,

I have just unplugged every thing in the Genny Compartment,

Will this effect or stop any of the other Electrics working in my Coach,

With the Genny, Gas, and Electrics, disconnected in there, Do I need to put in any shunts, Return wiring, Etc, To make things work,

Also, I have Gas to the Fridge, I have bled the air out of the line, I can hear it clicking to start, But it wont light up,

I dont have 110 Volts on board or connected, Will the fridge run without 110 volts, Just on 12 Volts and Gas,
The Stove works,

The sender for the Big Gas tank, Now removed, Is just hanging in there, It says I have full Propane Tanks on the Dash Monitor,
I have House and Coach lights working, But no water pump to operate the Shower, Toilet, Sink, Yet,

All advice, very much appreciated, My Coach came as a Mess, I dont even know what was removed from it,

TV's, DVD player, and any thing else electrical was stripped out on the way over,

The only thing they didnt pinch was the Vitamiser unit on the Bench, I still have all the bits for it,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #1 – December 19, 2013, 05:51:24 pm

Brian,

If you are not going to fit another generator, all I would do is remove the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch). Just install an electrical junction box and connect shore power cord to the wire that exits the ATS going to the 120 VAC breaker box.

Refrigerator should work just find on 12 VDC for the PC board, gas solenoid and igniter. No need for 120 VAC. If it still will not light after you have restarted enough times to purge air from the line and you know you have propane, you can use a BBQ lighter (long cigarette) to get it started. If after this, it still won't self light, you will need to do a "burner area tune-up". No special tools and no parts are needed. Basically you are cleaning any debris from the burner tube, setting igniter gap, etc.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #2 – December 19, 2013, 08:38:16 pm

One reason why generators are placed up front is to counter balance the weight of the engine hanging way out to the rear. You might find the front end is now too light to keep the front tires in good contact with the pavement.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #3 – December 19, 2013, 09:00:50 pm

Your water pump got its 12 volts from the connection at the generator. You should find a small wire ther maybe a # 10 or 12 guage wire that has an eylet large enough that it would have gone over the stud on the generator start solenoid. There also might be a circuit breaker on that same line.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #4 – December 30, 2013, 08:30:43 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 19, 2013, 05:51:24 pm

Brian,

If you are not going to fit another generator, all I would do is remove the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch). Just install an electrical junction box and connect shore power cord to the wire that exits the ATS going to the 120 VAC breaker box.

Refrigerator should work just find on 12 VDC for the PC board, gas solenoid and igniter. No need for 120 VAC. If it still will not light after you have restarted enough times to purge air from the line and you know you have propane, you can use a BBQ lighter (long cigarette) to get it started. If after this, it still won't self light, you will need to do a "burner area tune-up". No special tools and no parts are needed. Basically you are cleaning any debris from the burner tube, setting igniter gap, etc.

ATS, Would that have been under the bed, Its missing, or whatever the box was, under there, I had a transformer put in there, To replace it,
We have 240 volts here, We Cant just plug it in, Hahahaha,

I will try the long lighter trick first, Then do a clean up, It does have a couple of wires just floating in there as well, Not connected, I might put a piccy of them up on here,

I really dont need the Genny with the solar panels, Every thing big is on gas, It does not get cold enough here for serious heating, I have been in it in -4 C, In my front yard, It is not cold inside,

12 Volt laptop, 8 stack CD player and radio, TV and DVD player, Water pump, Lights, One single lamp inside the coach is quite ample to see by, I dont have a heavy hand with electrics usage after living full time on my boat,

This Genny has cost me more than a brand new one, and they have more KVA's, I have it back up and running, it had a cactus bearing in the back of it, New convertor on it, and it still doesnt generate power,

So I pulled the plug on the Genny, Its cheaper to go full solar, I have all the panels and gear sitting here, Except for the panels, Its all brand new,

Is the battery charger in the lower bay also an invertor, or is the invertor some where else,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #5 – December 30, 2013, 08:48:13 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – December 19, 2013, 08:38:16 pm

One reason why generators are placed up front is to counter balance the weight of the engine hanging way out to the rear. You might find the front end is now too light to keep the front tires in good contact with the pavement.

I took the big gas tank out as well, It makes for bouncy steering, So I built a good heavy cage for the gas bottles and lined it with 3 mm sheet steel, It gets 8 x 8 Lb propane bottles in there now,
The Genny locker is now lined with 3 mm Sheet steel, inc the floor, and welded in, I whacked 4 big batterys in there as spares, All my tools, which weigh heaps, and a couple of big lifting chains,

Its brought the front down heaps, It still needs more weight, But it now drives straight and the bounce has almost gone out of it now,
Spare tyre on the front might do it, If I cant pull a decent sized trailer, For car and bike,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #6 – December 30, 2013, 08:54:37 am

Quote from: red tractor – December 19, 2013, 09:00:50 pm

Your water pump got its 12 volts from the connection at the generator. You should find a small wire ther maybe a # 10 or 12 guage wire that has an eylet large enough that it would have gone over the stud on the generator start solenoid. There also might be a circuit breaker on that same line.

That explains it, I was wondering why it just didnt work automatically, None of the fuses have blown, Tomorrows fun job,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #7 – December 30, 2013, 07:26:57 pm

So how are you going to charge all the batteries without burning up you alternator. I think the only option would be solar.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #8 – December 30, 2013, 08:02:04 pm

John, that is what he is working on now putting panels up on roof
John h

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #9 – December 30, 2013, 08:18:19 pm

Ok that will do it. No way our small alternators can charge up all the batteries.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #10 – December 31, 2013, 12:39:29 am

Here you go, This will have 270 Watts to start with, This is more than Ample for me, Then later as the Money becomes available, I will go 400 Watts. But if 270 Watts is enough for me, with out running the Alternator off the the main engine,

I will stay with the 270 Watt ones, It doesnt matter where you go in Australia, There is always plenty of sun,

Both sides will have one panel By 85 Watts and one panel 50 watts, end to end, 7 foot X about 2 foot, Bit more shade for the Coach as well,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #11 – December 31, 2013, 07:59:16 am

Quote from: red tractor – December 19, 2013, 09:00:50 pm

Your water pump got its 12 volts from the connection at the generator. You should find a small wire ther maybe a # 10 or 12 guage wire that has an eylet large enough that it would have gone over the stud on the generator start solenoid. There also might be a circuit breaker on that same line.

Is it one of these ones, The big red one is the battery connection, None of the others have power,
110 volts in there is redundant, I wont be using it,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #12 – December 31, 2013, 09:29:23 am

Does anyone remember the strap that would drag under a vehicle, purpose? thinking it was a static deal. JC

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #13 – December 31, 2013, 10:00:50 am

Quote from: MR B2 – December 31, 2013, 07:59:16 am

Is it one of these ones, The big red one is the battery connection, None of the others have power,
110 volts in there is redundant, I wont be using it,

Brian,
The red wire you have labeled earth to chassis is the wrong color for a ground wire. Touch it to the big red wire (a quick touch) and see what happens. If it sparks it's ground if not see if your water pump runs when you connect them together. I know you could use a meters to test, but this will be quicker.
A side note, you can remove that big red wire and use it for your solar panels. From the roof down.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #14 – January 01, 2014, 12:22:19 am

Quote from: Michael j – December 31, 2013, 10:00:50 am

Brian,
The red wire you have labeled earth to chassis is the wrong color for a ground wire. Touch it to the big red wire (a quick touch) and see what happens. If it sparks it's ground if not see if your water pump runs when you connect them together. I know you could use a meters to test, but this will be quicker.
A side note, you can remove that big red wire and use it for your solar panels. From the roof down.

It might be the wrong colour, But the red one is screwed firmly onto the chassis, Hahahaha Its an Earth Lead, Red,

One of those group of three 12 volt wires must fire up the Water pump, Connected to that Big Battery supply cable,

Might try that, see what happens,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #15 – January 01, 2014, 12:30:32 am

Are you sure that the red wire is hooked to the frame as that should be the pump power wire

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #16 – January 01, 2014, 12:35:19 am

The wires that are attatched to the plastic plug are for the remote start panel for the genny and pretty sure the large red goes to the water pump the water pump switch would have to be turned on for the pump to run as the wire would run to the switch on the dash and think there is also one in the galley.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #17 – January 01, 2014, 11:06:53 am

Quote from: red tractor – January 01, 2014, 12:30:32 am

Are you sure that the red wire is hooked to the frame as that should be the pump power wire

Its too wet and dark to crawl under it to check, I will check that red lead again tomorrow, Make sure where it goes, and what it is connected too,
The reason I pulled the Genny out was because the rear bearing had collapsed, Its easier to fix it on the bench,
Replaced the bearing, I had one on the shelf,
Then the convertor wasnt working, $1200-00 later with a new convertor from Foretravel, I got the Genny running,

Then PatC sent me another brand new one for free, Yes, I had a quiet cry, And stamped my feet, Thanks Pat for the convertor, It was very much appreciated, And Totally unexpected,

So then the Genny is humming along nicely, But the Electrical side is dead as a Maggot, Checked it all out, absolutely nothing,
I did try the reenergize bit on it with a 110 volt drill, No luck there either,

Diesel Generator, 8.5 KV with 3 Phase, 240 Volt and 12 volt outlets are $990-00 Delivered, Here, 12 KVA Diesel Genny is a Grand too,

I already have the complete Brand New solar system off my boat sitting there accumulating dust, It can go on my Coach as is and wont cost me a cent,

So I gave up on the Genny, It was just getting out of hand the cost of it, and it is a 25 year old motor,

200 Watt solar panels are $209-00 each now, But they are a one off pay out, I only need two of them,

There is no running costs, or maintenance costs, No fuel to carry for them, Its really hard to hear them run as well, Hahahahaha,

My Pension can handle that easily , No costs involved, Hahahahaha, I like it,

These Genny wires might be why the rest of the coach dont work, It needs a connection,

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #18 – January 01, 2014, 01:24:10 pm

The water pump gets its power from a fuse located under the lift up part of the dash on my FT. The fuse panel has a red wire #10 or #8 that provides to it. Follow that wire back to its source. It was wired to the engine battery on mine, so I move it to the house batteries. Don't know why it was done this way.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #19 – January 03, 2014, 01:22:46 am

That Big Red Wire Is a RED Earth lead, Its connected solidly to the chassis Bolt,

The wires go up under the Couch, then to a Relay thingy, The big red wires coming out of that go to the water pump and the Dash, The wire gets reduced in size just before the pump,

?? See Piccys,

The red wire goes too the fuse box under the dash, see Piccys, All Fuses are fine,

All wires come up through the floor under the couch and all go up into the dash, Your drivers side,

Those wires are just there,

Right hand side of dash,

This mans got to have Music, so thats an eight stack CD player going in there, One CD at a time, My Dinosaur pets had them, Hahahaha,
With remote, Plays for 7 hours straight, Came out of my work truck, Hahahaha

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #20 – January 03, 2014, 08:16:12 am

Do we have here a failure to communicate ?
Brian, are you describing the red wire as what we would call a GROUND wire in the states ? Normally we think of electricity flowing from positive to negative even tho we know that it goes the other way. Maybe the Aussies have it right in describing earth as what we call positive ... I will probably hear about this post.
Gary B

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #21 – January 03, 2014, 10:58:57 am

Question?

Could earth mean (as in ground, dirt) and is that negative?

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #22 – January 03, 2014, 11:57:57 am

Brain,
Is what you call earth on your coach +12 volts or -12 volts?

Also you said the red wire goes to a bolt on the frame. Is the bolt isolated from the frame?

You extra pictures in your last post did not show up.

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #23 – January 03, 2014, 11:59:58 am

Check this out

240V powerplug datasheet

Re: Genny Removed, What happens to the electrics,

Reply #24 – January 03, 2014, 12:31:47 pm

I have a 93 so my info may no be correct but I believe that your coach may not have come with an inverter. If so the battery charger and converter are the same unit. My charger/converter on my U225 was under the steps on the passenger side but only accessible through the storage bay on the drivers side behind the generator bay.

There probably should have been an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) under the bed. It is used to determine the source of 120V AC for the coach. When there is an outside source of electricity the ATS gives that priority. If you start the generator with outside AC on the ATS prevents any back flow to the genie.

The furnace issue may be the regulator. On my U225 the back furnace worked fine and the stove worked fine but the front furnace would not ignite. It turned out that it was the gas regulator. A $120 labor bill and a $20 regulator fixed the furnace. The other common problem is the sail switch and the electronic ignitor. There are plenty of discussion in the archives of this forum and the IRV2 forum on checking and fixing both of these parts but I would check the gas pressure with a water column at the furnace first.

Regarding the generator, Dave Metzger here on the forum is an expert. You might try to PM him for advice. If the motor is still running, my bet is that the generator can be repaired for a reasonable cost and can be made to produce 240V power.

We are curious about the amount of solar panel power you feel is adequate. It seems that most of the forum folks with solar want a minimum of 400 or 500 watts. Is the fact that your plan on using more batteries what allows you to get by with the smaller array?

Affiliate Notice