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Michael Reush, RV Technician
Category: RV
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Experience: 36years experience all RV systems
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My 1998 34 Fleetwod pace arrow...Chev. powered, is having

Resolved Question:

My 1998 34' Fleetwod pace arrow...Chev. powered, is having a problem with power being supplied to all 120V outlets and appliances...T.V., microwave, fridge etc. The only time they work is with the onan gas powered generator running. They should run fine when driving without using the generator ...correct? They did last year. Is there some kind of converter switch that went bad or what?

Submitted: 10 months ago.
Category: RV
Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

Thank you for using Just Answer, I will quickly, and methodicly work through your repair needs.......Thank you.........Michael, hi the link is an automatic transfer switch that changes from shorepower to gen power,,,,,,,,,,,,,,look where the shoreline is attatched to the vehicle,,,,,,,if not in that compartment, look left or right compartment....If still not located,,,,,,,,,,go inside the vehicle and look in a cabinet in the area of the shoreline attatchment.............looks like thisgraphicit has two power inlets and 1 power outlet if you have 50amp service,,,,,,,,there will be two relays.................see if the power is passing from the shoreline connection to the 'load' side with the shoreline plugged in................Michael

Customer: replied 10 months ago.

We have no shore power where it is stored. We are comunicating with you from home. Why would everything work fine 6 months ago and after winter storage we have lost the ability to run any 120v. appliances off just the engine while parked? We never touched anything electrically.

Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

I wish I could explain component failure,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but cannot...........the relay is no doubt stuck on the generator side of the contacts.................

Michael Reush, RV Technician
Category: RV
Positive Feedback: 96.3 %
Satisfied Customers: 2517
Experience: 36years experience all RV systems
Michael Reush and 3 other RV Specialists are ready to help you
Customer: replied 10 months ago.

So this switch acts as a double throw relay? It recognizes the genrator power from alternator power from the engine? does it have to be replaced or can it be cleaned and made to work?

Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

there is no connection to the engine...............you are relating to a 120v ac issue,,,,,with the outlets not working,,,,,,,,,,,,the engine only supplies charge voltage to the house battery,,,,,,,,,,am I misunderstanding you problem? If so please expand on it so I can give you the correct answer and yes the auto transfer switch is a double throw relay,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if its stuck you may perhaps be able to unstick and clean it........you'll know once you get a chance to look at it........Michael this is the information I read on your question "My 1998 34' Fleetwod pace arrow...Chev. powered, is having a problem with power being supplied to all 120V outlets and appliances...T.V., microwave, fridge etc. The only time they work is with the onan gas powered generator running" Thanks

Customer: replied 10 months ago.

What would the T.V. and Fridge be running off of as we travel on the highway? A. C. converter from batteries?

Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

T.V> could be either 12v or 110,,,,,,,,when traveling w/o the gen and operating, it will be 12 volt,,,,,,,,,,,,unless you have an inverter...........the refer off 12volts,,,,,,,,

Customer: replied 10 months ago.

Everything is 120V. We also have a GFCI in bathroom for hair dryer. So we must have an AC inverter, right?

Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

If you have 110v available without running the generator,,,,,,or being plugged in to shore power,,,,,,,,than there must be an inverter

Customer: replied 10 months ago.

here is my question? i used to start up the motor home and sit and watch my 120v tv. now nothing in the motor will work that is 120 volt unless i fire up the generator. everything used to work when just running the 454 chevy engine. so your saying the relay is probably stuck? how do i fix it?

Expert:  Michael Reush replied 10 months ago.

If an inverter is providing power to the 120v items w/o gen or shorepower,,,,,,the inverter may have failed completely,,,,,,,,,,,,it also uses relays, however now we are on a different coarse,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,we need to find the inverter,,,,,,,,,go to the batteries,,,,,,,,(house) and it will have thick battery cables hooked directly to it.......follow the leads to its location............then once there see if the unit has any blown fuses, as they are voltage protected,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and protecting the ac output there will be breakers also..............thanks for the clarification......Michael

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