Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Transfer switch? (Read 693 times) previous topic - next topic

Transfer switch?

Woke around 2:30 to the sound of something "switching " off and on at the foot of the bed. We are visiting relatives in Hattiesburg Ms.  and we're running gen as there was no suitable plug in options. The inverter was in the on position at the same time the gen was on. Hoping this hasn't damaged something?.
 Has anyone else ever experienced such racket? We shut down gen for ten minutes or so , switched inverter to standby mode then refired gen and only heard one switch as AC came on line.                          Thanks .
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #1 –
Probably. Should look into replacing the transfer switch.  It  has a finite life from arcing as it switches as all the loads are not off it when it does switch.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #2 –
Thanks John! It appears to be an intermittent end of life event. Hopefully we can get several hours out of her before we get back to Nashville.
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #3 –
I used some Emory Cloth to clean the contacts till I got home last time.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #4 –
  :) love this forum!
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #5 –
Yep - ATS - Automatic Transfer Switch.

The sound is also referred as "flutter".

If your set-up is the same as ours, you have two of these things.  One transfers between shore power and genset, probably located in one of your bays and the other, under the bed switches between shore power/generator and inverter/converter.

It will probably "flutter" intermittently until it is replaced.  Try the emory cloth it may help for a while.

The transfer switch is not difficult to replace.
ATS - Automatic Transfer Switch - Secondary Relay - Install

Good luck.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #6 –
Awesome pics! A former Foretravel owner used to emphasize that it's all really only "nuts and bolts". Having said that , it helps to know which nuts and bolts and where to find them!
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #7 –
Tom,

One other thing,  check the connections where the wires come into the transfer switch from the generator to make sure they are tight while you have the top off the transfer switch to clean the contacts as have been mentioned above.  Both of your transfer switches should be located under your bed (one is stacked on top of the other).  You also need to check the wire connection  where the generator is tied into the coach wiring.(this could have been left a little loose when your generator was reinstalled)  You will have to  roll the generator out and the junction box is located on the back wall of the generator bay.  If this connection is loose your  the transfer switch could be hunting for power.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #8 –
YEs I would second the wires check. I thought my switch was going bad and it was just loose wire. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #9 –
I'm always amazed how it's not the "big deal " upon investigation. Going to work on her after Cracker Barrel . Will update
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #10 –
Interesting. My coach flutter, which I would refer to as violent banging only occurred when there was an electrical event such as; the shore power going out and the batteries too weak to support the load. Since installing new batteries I have had no flutter.
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants

Re: Transfer switch?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: TAS69 –
...snip...
We shut down gen for ten minutes or so , switched inverter to standby mode then refired gen and only heard one switch as AC came on line.                          Thanks .
Tom,
Your coach may be closer to my '96.
I am attaching a copy of the 110 Electrical relay system.
I have the two transfer switches at the foot of the bed.
In my mind either could be the trouble maker, altho the 1st one is more probable. let's hope so.

It would be interesting to see if by turning off the inverter the noise stops (should it happen again).

I am also attaching a couple of drawings that talk about which lines power what things.
hth
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB