JustAnswer > Small Engine
Ask A Question|Register|Login|Help
JustAnswer

Small Engine

Ask a Small Engine Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Small Engine question?

6 Technicians are Online Now
characters left:
Not a Small Engine Question?
Bookmark and Share

Question

when I turn on the onan generator in the rv, i don't have any electrical power inside the rv. is it possible the automatic transfer switch has gone bad and how can i tell

Submitted: 35 days and 6 hours ago.
Category: Small Engine
Value: $13
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
+
Read More

Optional Information

Make: onan genset
Model: marquis 7000

Already Tried:
changed oil, filter, air filter, checked fuse, turned breaker on and off, turned generator on and off several times

Posted by Hank F. 35 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

Hello,

Yes, it is possible the transfer switch has gone bad.

 

You say you have tried the breaker, so I assume you mean the breakers both at the genset and in the coach. Does everything work correctly when on shore power?

 

To test the transfer switch, remove the cover from the switch. There will be 3 main lines going in to it - shore cord, genset, and the feed to the the breaker box.

 

BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS TEST, AS YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH LIVE ELECTRICITY.

 

Set your meter to VAC. The switch should have a schematic inside the cover that identifies which wires are the genset. Start the genset, wait one minute for the timer to activate, and probe the black to white wires of the genset connection. If there is voltage, probe the black to white breaker box connections. If there is no voltage, the transfer switch is bad. If there is voltage, the problem is somewhere else.

35 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

thank you for your quick response. how do i find the switch?

Accepted Answer

The switch will generally be in one of two places.

 

The first is inside the compartment where you store your shore cord. Remember, the shore cord and genset go to the switch. Follow the shore cord first.

 

The second most common place attahced directly to or behind the power distribution center in your coach. Find the main breaker box. Sometimes you have to remove the power distribution center, and sometimes you can access the switch by removing a panel around ro beside it.

Picture
Expert: Hank F.
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/18/2009

Technician

Certified on Onan and Generac generators

35 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

thanks again! I'll go search and let you know if i have any further questions.

Posted by Hank F. 35 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

No problem.

I wish I could have been more specific than that, but with the mulitude of mounting locations and the many different types of transfer switches available, I would have to see the unit to be exact.

35 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

found it in the same compartment as the shore cord. Thanks again!

Posted by Hank F. 35 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

You bet. If this does not find the problem for some reason, or if you have any other questions, please let me know and I will do my best to help you.

35 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

voltage meter only shows 1.0 when you check the generator side of the switch. Nothing on the output side. checked right at the generator using the stud on the bottom and it read 24.

Posted by Hank F. 35 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Houston, we have a problem.

But we are good, and we can take care of it. Right?

 

What is the full model number of your genset? There were 2 styles of Marquis, and they have nothing in common.

35 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

we sure can try. i'll get the numbers and be right back

 

35 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

model # 7NHMFA26105D

Accepted Answer

OK,

I would like for you to check the following:

 

 

Find the voltage regulator connector inside the control box. It is a white 12-pin connector. Unplug the connector. Set your meter to ohms. Testing on the harness side of the plug, not the voltage regulator itself, ohm across pins J4-9 and J4-10. It should read 20-30 ohms.

 

If it reads 50 ohms or higher, we need to check the brushes and slip rings. Remove the air cleaner. Directly behind the air cleaner is the end bell of the generator. In the middle of the end bell is a small plastic rectangular cover. Use a flat tip screwdriver to pry the cover out and expose the brush block.

The brush block will have 2 round holes in it with a single uninsulated wire going through. This is the brush lead. Use a small probe or piece of small diameter stiff wire and push the probe through the hole until it touches the brush. Mark the probe where it is flush with the brush block. Remove the probe and measure from the mark to the end of the wire. If it is more than 1", the brushes are worn out and must be replaced. Remove the 2 screws securing the brush block, turning each screw 3-4 times each. The brush block must come out straight, as it is made of ceramic and is very fragile. Be careful not to drop the screws down into the end bell. They are very difficult to retrieve. Use the wires to help pull the brush block out. Inspect the ends of the brushes. They should be smooth and not cracked or chipped. They should be worn into an even arch pattern. They should slide freely into and out of the brush block. If they stick or bind, clean the brush block with electrical contact cleaner. Inspect the slip rings. They are the 2 bands that the brushes ride on. They are made of copper and should be as shiny as a new penny. They should be smooth and have no pits or scratches. If they are dirty, you can clean them by removing the spark plug wires and grounding them out. Attach a piece of scotch brite to the end of a small stick. Press the scotch brite against the rings and crank the set. Do not crank for more than 15 seconds without stopping for a minute or two to let the starter cool. When the rings are clean, ohm across them. They should read 20-30 ohms. If not, the rotor is bad and must be replaced. If it is good, reinstall the brush block.

 

Reconnect the 12-pin connector at the voltage regulator. Set your meter to VDC and connect the black probe to a good ground. Insert the red probe into the back of the plug at wire J4-7 and press the start button. It should read at least 10V. Insert the red probe into the back of the plug at wire J4-9 and press start. It should read at least 12V and climb as you hold start. Insert the red probe into the plug at wire J4-10 and press start. This voltage can vary from 1.5 - 20 volts, as long as there is voltage showing.

 

What are the results of these tests?

Picture
Expert: Hank F.
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/18/2009

Technician

Certified on Onan and Generac generators

35 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks again for your help. At this point in time, I've decided to take it to the shop. My husband basically said he didn't have time to work on it anymore and had to move on to other projects.Frown Wish I could beam you over and get the job done. I know it will cost a lot for labor but that's the nature of owning an rv. Thanks again, you have been very helpful and I've learned alot.

Posted by Hank F. 35 days and 1 hours ago.

Info Request

I'm sorry to hear that you are almost as busy as me (I work 3 jobs and am in the middle of putting a new engine in my wife's truck). Wish we could have gotten it going to help save you some money.

 

Any time you need help, just ask and we will Just Answer!



Edited by Hank F. on 10/18/2009 at 6:41 PM

34 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

thanks again

34 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Just an FYI, took the rv for a drive to fill up gas, when I got back I decided to try one more time with the generator. Low and behold, it worked just fine. Any thoughts?

Posted by Hank F. 34 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

Only 3 things come to mind - a loose connection that got jarred, a voltage regulator that is getting ready to go, or a dirty brush that made better contact with the slip ring.

 

I would highly encourage you to do the voltage regulator and slip ring test that I gave you when you get a chance.

+
Read More

Related Small Engine Questions

  • I have a Model 6.5 NHEFA26101D Onan RV Gen set that starts
  • I have a snapper rider lawnmower with a briggs engine. the
  • I have a 2 year old x 300 and while adding gas i discovered
  • I have a John Deere riding mower that is about 3 years old.
  • My old suffolk colt starts be will not run on. I have tried
  • My 18 hp Magnum, 21 yrs old, is acting up. After it has been
  • I have a Kohler 5E Spec: PA-19905. I am having a problem
  • how to replace a drive belt on a john deere lx277



Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Question List | Become an Expert | Terms of Service | Security & Privacy | About Us
© 2003-2009 JustAnswer Corp.