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Topic: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity (Read 624 times) previous topic - next topic

86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Its been cold here in Boulder, CO.. snow last 2 days.. went out to start up the coach and run the Gen Set for 1/2 hour...

Gen Set started up right away but needed to help a bit with a manual choke ..  running at good RPM.. but about 20 minutes later noticed that the Microwave clock was not blinking.. refrigerator was not connection to AC power and the roof AC would not come on... BUT all lights, water pump and wall plugs are all working.... 

Not sure what this means...      we don't have 30amp or 50 amp power at home to plug into shore power to check the systems away from the Gen Set.

Any ideas ??? 
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #1 –
You might check the breakers on your genset. The wall plugs, pump, and lights would all work off whatever 12v you have in your batteries.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #2 –
Quote from: lenspeiser –
You might check the breakers on your genset. The wall plugs, pump, and lights would all work off whatever 12v you have in your batteries.

Len

OK..  just replaced the fuse on the Gen Set last week when i could not start the generator.. fuse was blown...  i installed a 20V fuse which i think is over sized.  Could this be the issue.  Wrong fuse size ???  Breakers under the bed are all good...

1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #3 –
The fuse would have nothing to do with you 120 volt circuit.
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: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #4 –
An oversized fuse would tend to not blow as quick as it should. On our genset we have two "breakers" mounted on the unit that I have had to reset once. I am not sure on your model what they have. Sorry, but hopefully someone with more grey cells than I have will jump in here and help.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #5 –
Quote from: lenspeiser –
An oversized fuse would tend to not blow as quick as it should. On our genset we have two "breakers" mounted on the unit that I have had to reset once. I am not sure on your model what they have. Sorry, but hopefully someone with more grey cells than I have will jump in here and help.

Len

Thanks Len.  Went out and looked at the side of the unit and found (2) " switches" that were not what looked like breakers.  Simply toggle switches like a light switch... they were in the ON position.  I switched both to OFF and back to ON and i will see what this does...  nothing in the original book for trouble shooting for a running Gen Set but no power flowing to coach..
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #6 –
The generator circuit breaker is on the right side of the box where your fuse was back behind the wiring connection plug, you can cycle it. Automatic transfer switch could also be weak and cold, and not switching. I ran (3) 300 watt heaters in the coach last winter on a hd 12 ga.115 v cord after draining and winterizing the water and waste systems kept interior above 42 degrees. You may need 4 in Boulder.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
The generator circuit breaker is on the right side of the box where your fuse was back behind the wiring connection plug, you can cycle it. Automatic transfer switch could also be weak and cold, and not switching. I ran (3) 300 watt heaters in the coach last winter on a hd 12 ga.115 v cord after draining and winterizing the water and waste systems kept interior above 42 degrees. You may need 4 in Boulder.

Thanks.... would running the Gen Set warm up the transfer switch to allow power to flow thru the system to appliances ??

Would i need to keep the basement bay " warmer " in order to keep the system in condition to allow power to the coach appliances ?
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Subsilked –
Thanks.... would running the Gen Set warm up the transfer switch to allow power to flow thru the system to appliances ??

Would i need to keep the basement bay " warmer " in order to keep the system in condition to allow power to the coach appliances ?

Should i start Gen Set and let it run and than cycle the breaker switches....???
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #9 –
Sub,
Our coaches are completely different animals, but maybe I can help you guess through this. My transfer switch is located in the engine bay. I don't know if being cold will prevent it from working, but maybe cranking the engine and warming the bay will help if that is the problem ( assuming that yours is located like ours)

You can also search the forum for how to test the transfer switch ( ATS) and maybe that will help.

Hope this is of some help.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #10 –
How about post a picture of your generator and the model number. Some of us techey fellows might be able to help you if we can actually see what you are dealing with. There should be a circuit breaker on the generator itself. You know they have to be turned all the way off and then back on to reset them.  :thumbsup:
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #11 –
Reach around the side of the start/stop panel with the little fuse on it and you will feel the circuit breaker behind the front panel. Ours is on the right side as I face the generator.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: 86 GV, generator runs well but NO electricity

Reply #12 –
we have two 1985 models and this yr we have been experiencing loose spade connections and broken terminals. on one the generator stopped producing power and it was just a broken wire in box on generator. get a volt meter and work your way from the generator out
1985 35'ORED
Rat Rod Hauler
Build #2540
High School Teacher