Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

08-03-2008, 10:43

I am having some problems with my electrical system that started showing up on a
road
trip last week.

As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went to the bus
today to
check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was flashing
indicating a low
charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to 50amp
receptacle, and I
know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the panels will
show
A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will never
indicate that is
it receiving A/C input.

Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is indicating that
leg 1 is
running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing very high
amperage,
in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.

I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at least get the
coach
charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer switch,
or is all the
transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad inverter?

Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do they
have service
facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They are
only about
15mins from me.

Thanks
Corey and Jenni Graham
1996 PT42
Prosper TX

08-03-2008, 10:59

Hi Corey:

First things first. One the inverter panels, turn both inverters to off and
set the charging system to on. Then go back to your main breaker panel,
locate the breaker for leg one and leg 2, switch them off then back on and
switch the GFI breaker off then back on.

Now check your gauges and see what you have. Your chargers are on leg 2 and
I am betting that is the leg that is showing 105 vac. You can verify this
by switching both chargers off for a minute. The voltage should come back
to 120vac steady. If not then the auto transfer switch is suspect.

You may have 1 or more cells in a single battery pulling your system down
too. They need to be load tested individually if the above has not reset
the problem.

Oh switch off your Aqua hot breaker as it may pulling the system down as well.

Bottom line is it sounds very much like an automatic transfer switch has
the brain board bad.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 10:43 PM 8/3/2008 +0000, you wrote:
>I am having some problems with my electrical system that started showing
>up on a road
>trip last week.
>
>As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went to
>the bus today to
>check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was flashing
>indicating a low
>charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to 50amp
>receptacle, and I
>know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the panels
>will show
>A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will never
>indicate that is
>it receiving A/C input.
>
>Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is indicating
>that leg 1 is
>running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing very
>high amperage,
>in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
>
>I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at least
>get the coach
>charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer
>switch, or is all the
>transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad inverter?
>
>Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do
>they have service
>facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They
>are only about
>15mins from me.
>
>Thanks
>Corey and Jenni Graham
>1996 PT42
>Prosper TX

08-03-2008, 15:38

Ok, so far I have tried the things you have recommended, with the exception of
the GFI,
but I don't know where it is. There is one in the bathroom, but I cant get it
to do
anything for me, I'll have to look into it.

I have one inverter panel that is reading AC input from the generator, and the
HVAC
units are running. BUT, when I try to run all 3 is when an overload condition
happens on
leg 2, while leg 1 shows very minimal draw.

I have pulled the inverter for leg 2 out, and have the cover off to see if I can
locate the
transfer switch. Looks as though it isn't functioning, but I'm not sure how the
entire
setup works exactly. I can manually change the switch and get the inverter to
show DC
amps on the panel, but still no AC input. My problem is, the only way I can
charge the
coach batteries is to run the generator. I don't understand why I'm not able to
draw any
power for the shore cord.

I plan to find a repair facility near me that can help me with some of these
problems, so
that may be my next task. Although I certainly prefer to do the work myself.

Corey & Jenni
1996 PT42'
Prosper, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
>
> Hi Corey:
>
> First things first. One the inverter panels, turn both inverters to off and
> set the charging system to on. Then go back to your main breaker panel,
> locate the breaker for leg one and leg 2, switch them off then back on and
> switch the GFI breaker off then back on.
>
> Now check your gauges and see what you have. Your chargers are on leg 2 and
> I am betting that is the leg that is showing 105 vac. You can verify this
> by switching both chargers off for a minute. The voltage should come back
> to 120vac steady. If not then the auto transfer switch is suspect.
>
> You may have 1 or more cells in a single battery pulling your system down
> too. They need to be load tested individually if the above has not reset
> the problem.
>
> Oh switch off your Aqua hot breaker as it may pulling the system down as well.
>
> Bottom line is it sounds very much like an automatic transfer switch has
> the brain board bad.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> Duncan, Oklahoma
>
> At 10:43 PM 8/3/2008 +0000, you wrote:
> >I am having some problems with my electrical system that started showing
> >up on a road
> >trip last week.
> >
> >As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went to
> >the bus today to
> >check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was flashing
> >indicating a low
> >charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to 50amp
> >receptacle, and I
> >know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the panels
> >will show
> >A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will never
> >indicate that is
> >it receiving A/C input.
> >
> >Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is indicating
> >that leg 1 is
> >running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing very
> >high amperage,
> >in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
> >
> >I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at least
> >get the coach
> >charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer
> >switch, or is all the
> >transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad inverter?
> >
> >Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do
> >they have service
> >facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They
> >are only about
> >15mins from me.
> >
> >Thanks
> >Corey and Jenni Graham
> >1996 PT42
> >Prosper TX
>

08-03-2008, 15:56

Corey, I'm sure I have seen your post before and as you can see I am not to far from Prosper. The one person I know that is fully capable is Ralph Fullenwider whose e-mail is "rlf47@swbell.com". He has maintained coaches for me since early 90's and know what he is doing.

Wallace Craig

95 WLWB 42

Azle, Texas in Homer, Ak.

--- On Sun, 8/3/08, coreyg67 wrote:

From: coreyg67
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: A/C problems
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008, 10:38 PM

Ok, so far I have tried the things you have recommended, with the exception of
the GFI, but I don't know where it is. There is one in the bathroom, but I cant get
it to do anything for me, I'll have to look into it. I have one inverter panel that is reading AC input from the generator, and the
HVAC units are running. BUT, when I try to run all 3 is when an overload condition
happens on leg 2, while leg 1 shows very minimal draw. I have pulled the inverter for leg 2 out, and have the cover off to see if I
can locate the transfer switch. Looks as though it isn't functioning, but I'm not
sure how the entire setup works exactly. I can manually change the switch and get the inverter to
show DC amps on the panel, but still no AC input. My problem is, the only way I can
charge the coach batteries is to run the generator. I don't understand why I'm
not able to draw any power for the shore cord.
I plan to find a repair facility near me that can help me with some of these
problems, so that may be my next task. Although I certainly prefer to do the work myself.
Corey & Jenni
1996 PT42'
Prosper, TX
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
>
> Hi Corey:
> > First things first. One the inverter panels, turn both inverters to off
and > set the charging system to on. Then go back to your main breaker panel, > locate the breaker for leg one and leg 2, switch them off then back on and
> switch the GFI breaker off then back on.
> > Now check your gauges and see what you have. Your chargers are on leg 2
and > I am betting that is the leg that is showing 105 vac. You can verify this > by switching both chargers off for a minute. The voltage should come back > to 120vac steady. If not then the auto transfer switch is suspect.
> > You may have 1 or more cells in a single battery pulling your system down > too. They need to be load tested individually if the above has not reset > the problem.
> > Oh switch off your Aqua hot breaker as it may pulling the system down as
well.
> > Bottom line is it sounds very much like an automatic transfer switch has > the brain board bad.
> > Safe travels,
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> Duncan, Oklahoma
> > At 10:43 PM 8/3/2008 +0000, you wrote:
> >I am having some problems with my electrical system that started
showing > >up on a road
> >trip last week.
> >
> >As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went
to > >the bus today to
> >check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was
flashing > >indicating a low
> >charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to
50amp > >receptacle, and I
> >know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the
panels > >will show
> >A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will
never > >indicate that is
> >it receiving A/C input.
> >
> >Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is
indicating > >that leg 1 is
> >running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing
very > >high amperage,
> >in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
> >
> >I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at
least > >get the coach
> >charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer
> >switch, or is all the
> >transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad
inverter?
> >
> >Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do > >they have service
> >facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They > >are only about
> >15mins from me.
> >
> >Thanks
> >Corey and Jenni Graham
> >1996 PT42
> >Prosper TX
>
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08-03-2008, 16:39

Corey, the transfer switch I am talking about is not internal in the
inverter. It should be located in the 4th bay door back from the front on
the drivers side. It is the main power switch from shore power/gen
set/inverter in that order. Inside the grey box will be 2 contactors and a
circuit board. Power is sensed by the circuit board in this order, shore
power, if none the gen set, if none then inverter and with some testing in
that box will determine your problem or at least which way you need to go.
It is notorious for going south and needs to be replaced when it does
because the board is obsolete (sound familiar?)

I suggested switching the inverter side of the inverter/charger off to try
to start isolating the problem. This is one that can have you chasing
rainbows all over the place. And what you described below tells me that
your problem is the TOD auto power switch.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 03:38 AM 8/4/2008 +0000, you wrote:
>Ok, so far I have tried the things you have recommended, with the
>exception of the GFI,
>but I don't know where it is. There is one in the bathroom, but I cant
>get it to do
>anything for me, I'll have to look into it.
>
>I have one inverter panel that is reading AC input from the generator, and
>the HVAC
>units are running. BUT, when I try to run all 3 is when an overload
>condition happens on
>leg 2, while leg 1 shows very minimal draw.
>
>I have pulled the inverter for leg 2 out, and have the cover off to see if
>I can locate the
>transfer switch. Looks as though it isn't functioning, but I'm not sure
>how the entire
>setup works exactly. I can manually change the switch and get the
>inverter to show DC
>amps on the panel, but still no AC input. My problem is, the only way I
>can charge the
>coach batteries is to run the generator. I don't understand why I'm not
>able to draw any
>power for the shore cord.
>
>I plan to find a repair facility near me that can help me with some of
>these problems, so
>that may be my next task. Although I certainly prefer to do the work myself.
>
>Corey & Jenni
>1996 PT42'
>Prosper, TX
>
>
>
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Corey:
> >
> > First things first. One the inverter panels, turn both inverters to off
> and
> > set the charging system to on. Then go back to your main breaker panel,
> > locate the breaker for leg one and leg 2, switch them off then back on and
> > switch the GFI breaker off then back on.
> >
> > Now check your gauges and see what you have. Your chargers are on leg 2
> and
> > I am betting that is the leg that is showing 105 vac. You can verify this
> > by switching both chargers off for a minute. The voltage should come back
> > to 120vac steady. If not then the auto transfer switch is suspect.
> >
> > You may have 1 or more cells in a single battery pulling your system down
> > too. They need to be load tested individually if the above has not reset
> > the problem.
> >
> > Oh switch off your Aqua hot breaker as it may pulling the system down
> as well.
> >
> > Bottom line is it sounds very much like an automatic transfer switch has
> > the brain board bad.
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > Duncan, Oklahoma
> >
> > At 10:43 PM 8/3/2008 +0000, you wrote:
> > >I am having some problems with my electrical system that started showing
> > >up on a road
> > >trip last week.
> > >
> > >As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went to
> > >the bus today to
> > >check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was flashing
> > >indicating a low
> > >charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to 50amp
> > >receptacle, and I
> > >know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the
> panels
> > >will show
> > >A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will never
> > >indicate that is
> > >it receiving A/C input.
> > >
> > >Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is indicating
> > >that leg 1 is
> > >running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing very
> > >high amperage,
> > >in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
> > >
> > >I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at least
> > >get the coach
> > >charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer
> > >switch, or is all the
> > >transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad inverter?
> > >
> > >Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do
> > >they have service
> > >facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They
> > >are only about
> > >15mins from me.
> > >
> > >Thanks
> > >Corey and Jenni Graham
> > >1996 PT42
> > >Prosper TX
> >
>
>

08-03-2008, 17:02

DO you have a cord on an auto reel or do you drape cord manualy?

Do you have one of those addon Genset auto starts or electrical
protection devices?

I would plug into shore; shut down all circuit breakers and
inverters in the bus; then turn circuit breakers one one at a
time.Consumed electricity shows up as heat so with the bus
unplugged and inverters off, you may find issues by feeling around
for extra hot things like inverters, batteries transfer switch,
appliances and for the heck of it check out the temp at the engine
driven alt.

Is there away for you to unplug an inverter and plug it into a
110volt extension cord to charge the batteries and circumvent the
problem bus electrical system??? This may help keep the batteries up
until you correct the issue

If you have a multimeter you could check the individual hotlegs at
the shore pedistal then check the two legs at the bus circuitbreaker
box with all the breakers off. this may show issue with transfer
switch or bus shore cord????

DO you have a cord on an auto reel or do you drape cord manualy?

Do you have one of those addon Genset auto starts or electrical
prtection devices?

Some of the clues you get from the gauges like reading no Voltage
can stand in the way of truth unless you were shure that the gauge
read proper voltage/amperage etc when all things were working. Most
of us never look at the gauges unless there is a problem. therefore
we have little proof thet the reading is correct. I never trust a
voltage gauge that reads 0

I would find a shop or tech that has insurance over knowledge
and 'luck with these sort of things'

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "coreyg67"
wrote:
>
> I am having some problems with my electrical system that started
showing up on a road
> trip last week.
>
> As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I
went to the bus today to
> check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was
flashing indicating a low
> charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker
to 50amp receptacle, and I
> know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of
the panels will show
> A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will
never indicate that is
> it receiving A/C input.
>
> Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is
indicating that leg 1 is
> running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing
very high amperage,
> in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
>
> I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at
least get the coach
> charging without running the generator. Is there an external
transfer switch, or is all the
> transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad
inverter?
>
> Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr.
Oliver. Do they have service
> facilities, and would they be recommended to service these
busses? They are only about
> 15mins from me.
>
> Thanks
> Corey and Jenni Graham
> 1996 PT42
> Prosper TX
>

08-04-2008, 11:22

Ok, I have found two different electrical boxes in the bay that I am exploring.
There is a
gray box with a series of two relays of some sort (again I'm not an electrician
and have
no clue what i'm looking at) and then a second box that has a label of automatic
transfer
switch on it. I pulled the cover off of both switches and checked the power
coming in.
The first relay or whatever it is has 240 coming in, but nothing leaving the
relay. I don't
know if this is transfer switch as well, or what it is, but it is not passing
power through. I
then checked the power going into the next auto transfer switch and there is no
power
entering the panel. So, I'm assuming the first relay/switch is the problem, but
I don't
know what exactly it is. Thanks again for all the help everyone!

Corey and Jenni
1996 PT42'
Prosper, TX 75078

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "coreyg67" wrote:
>
> Ok, so far I have tried the things you have recommended, with the exception of
the
GFI,
> but I don't know where it is. There is one in the bathroom, but I cant get it
to do
> anything for me, I'll have to look into it.
>
> I have one inverter panel that is reading AC input from the generator, and the
HVAC
> units are running. BUT, when I try to run all 3 is when an overload condition
happens
on
> leg 2, while leg 1 shows very minimal draw.
>
> I have pulled the inverter for leg 2 out, and have the cover off to see if I
can locate the
> transfer switch. Looks as though it isn't functioning, but I'm not sure how
the entire
> setup works exactly. I can manually change the switch and get the inverter to
show
DC
> amps on the panel, but still no AC input. My problem is, the only way I can
charge the
> coach batteries is to run the generator. I don't understand why I'm not able
to draw
any
> power for the shore cord.
>
> I plan to find a repair facility near me that can help me with some of these
problems,
so
> that may be my next task. Although I certainly prefer to do the work myself.
>
> Corey & Jenni
> 1996 PT42'
> Prosper, TX
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
wrote:
> >
> > Hi Corey:
> >
> > First things first. One the inverter panels, turn both inverters to off and
> > set the charging system to on. Then go back to your main breaker panel,
> > locate the breaker for leg one and leg 2, switch them off then back on and
> > switch the GFI breaker off then back on.
> >
> > Now check your gauges and see what you have. Your chargers are on leg 2 and
> > I am betting that is the leg that is showing 105 vac. You can verify this
> > by switching both chargers off for a minute. The voltage should come back
> > to 120vac steady. If not then the auto transfer switch is suspect.
> >
> > You may have 1 or more cells in a single battery pulling your system down
> > too. They need to be load tested individually if the above has not reset
> > the problem.
> >
> > Oh switch off your Aqua hot breaker as it may pulling the system down as
well.
> >
> > Bottom line is it sounds very much like an automatic transfer switch has
> > the brain board bad.
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > Duncan, Oklahoma
> >
> > At 10:43 PM 8/3/2008 +0000, you wrote:
> > >I am having some problems with my electrical system that started showing
> > >up on a road
> > >trip last week.
> > >
> > >As of today, I have no power while connected to shore power. I went to
> > >the bus today to
> > >check on things, and the battery light on my inverter panels was flashing
> > >indicating a low
> > >charge. I first checked the basics, all breakers, house breaker to 50amp
> > >receptacle, and I
> > >know that I am getting 50amps of 220 to the coach. Now, one of the panels
> > >will show
> > >A/C input when the generator is running, but the second panel will never
> > >indicate that is
> > >it receiving A/C input.
> > >
> > >Secondly, on the voltage/amperage gauges over the door, it is indicating
> > >that leg 1 is
> > >running very low amps, and normal 130volts, while leg 2 is showing very
> > >high amperage,
> > >in the 40 range, while only showing around 105volts.
> > >
> > >I am not sure if there is anything I can do in the mean time to at least
> > >get the coach
> > >charging without running the generator. Is there an external transfer
> > >switch, or is all the
> > >transfer handled by the inverters? Does this mean I have a bad inverter?
> > >
> > >Also, I have heard several folks mention Paul Davis, and Mr. Oliver. Do
> > >they have service
> > >facilities, and would they be recommended to service these busses? They
> > >are only about
> > >15mins from me.
> > >
> > >Thanks
> > >Corey and Jenni Graham
> > >1996 PT42
> > >Prosper TX
> >
>

08-04-2008, 19:04

Corey, below are hints to the repair found in your last post (in
this order).
.....................
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "coreyg67"
wrote:
> some sort
>(again I'm not an electrician and have no clue what i'm looking at)
>I don't know ,
>or what
> I'm assuming
>but
>I don't know what exactly it is.

Thanks again for all the help everyone!
>
> Corey and Jenni
> 1996 PT42'
> Prosper, TX 75078
>
...........................................
some times the better mechanic realize the repair is not in the
abilities oh his many talents and defers the task to those with

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCA

08-05-2008, 02:26

Corey

I think Greg mentioned the wind up reel for your cord,the OE reel can burn the contacts very easy and the brushes in the reel will burn out and not make contact with the plate or armature.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

08-05-2008, 03:10

Hi Corey, Don't through out the transfer switch yet. Is it a Lyght
Power? If so here is how it works. There are two contactors, one for
shore and one for the generator, and a small switch on the side that
wrought power through the circuit board. When I thought that my unit
was bad, and the contactors wouldn't hold, and bought a new one, and
then started have problems with it holding, I talked to a factory
service tech. One leg of the 240 goes through the circuit board to the
small switch. The small switch gets a build-up (dust, corrosion) on it
and then it won't let the circuit board wrought the power to the
contactor. What I have to do is, disconnect the shore power and cycle
the small switch several times to clean the contacts off, and presto
magic it works.
Marty Gregg
95 BMC 37
Kennewick WA