Generating no power but headaches

MW Newbie · 08-29-2010, 01:53 PM

Problem at hand. 2006 Winnie with Onan 4000 Quiet Genny. Starts fine from inside and outside of MH but will no longer power anything. Checked all the usual fixes, breakers in the coach, outside in the power bay and the one on the side of the genny. All good. The inverter is working fine and when hooked up to shore power all plugs and devices functioning. Any ideas from the electrical minded on the fix? I am thinking it might come back to the Auto transfer case. I took the cover off but not sure what to look for, like a beer drinker at a wine tasting event.. Is this a common problem or might I be missing a breaker somewhere?? Thnks in advance.

BucknJeff · 08-29-2010, 02:09 PM

On the genny, are you looking at the little 5 amp fuse, or the main breaker?

Make sure the main breaker on the genny is turned OFF, and then back ON.

Then, give the ATS (automatic transfer switch) up to a minute to figure out that the generator is on.

After that, if you still have nothing, you will need to meter the voltage input for the generator at the ATS main terminals. If thats beyond your comfort zone, better to take it in.

Norm4015 · 08-29-2010, 02:11 PM

When you said all circuit breakers are OK, did you just look at them or did you flip them off and back on? Often breakers look OK when they are tripped.

If the breakers are OK it is time to break out the old voltmeter. Check to see if you have power (120 volts) coming out of the generator and go to the ATS (automatic transfer switch) to see if power is coming into it. Then make sure power is leaving the ATS and going to the circuit breaker panel inside the motorhome.

KIX · 08-29-2010, 02:16 PM

Turn each breaker you mentioned OFF completely then back ON. You must do this to reset the breaker if it has tripped.

If you know how to use a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) you can test the connections inside the transfer switch.

Nevermind.......by the time I stopped in the middle of writing this to answer a DW question the above replies said the same thing I was saying.

MW Newbie · 08-29-2010, 02:30 PM

BucknJeff, I was refering to the main 30A breaker on the side of the Genny. I was not aware of a 5 amp fuse. Is that on the genny as well or would it be in the coach. I have turned all the breakers on and off again to be certain it was reset and have let the genny run for 5 min to warm up and again nothing. Next step is to test the output from the Genny with volt meter. Never used one but never backed away from anything and am handy. Keep you posted, will attempt this in the morning.

BucknJeff · 08-29-2010, 03:10 PM

on most of the Onan's (we have a diesel) there is a small 5 amp 12vdc fuse for the control circuit, which isn't the problem here, as you say it starts via the remote switch.

I was just being sure we were talking about the same "Breaker"

With the genny OFF, and the shore power unplugged, and the inverter OFF, make sure that all of the wires on the main terminal strip of the ATS are good and tight. If any are loose (especially the genny ones!) they may have melted or arc'd or otherwise damaged the connection and power isnt getting through. This can happen when the connections are not tight and they get warm, and then become even more loose, and lead to heating and damage.

I know this one all too well.. Ugh. I re-torque mine each year.

Let me know what you find out.

powderman · 08-29-2010, 05:30 PM

If your not comfortable with a VOM, I would unhook from shore power, start the generator, and plug something like possible a hairdryer (in the on position) into the 120 volt plug on genny. When it gets that load you should hear the generator rev up a bit. If it does that, the problem is not with the generator, so time to look elsewhere.

John Hilley · 08-29-2010, 08:35 PM

In the Minnie Winnie, do you have a transfer switch or do you have to move the shore power plug to the generator?

MW Newbie · 08-30-2010, 04:29 PM

Here is the update, I checked all the fittings and conections and tried it again with negative results. I looked for a plug to fire the genny up and plug the hair dryer in but it is all hard wired, sooo I learnt how to use a Volt Meter and rolled up the sleeves and started.
Results,, power from the genny (BTW 60hours) to the hard wired pig tailed box. Power at the Transfer switch from genny . Tested the shore power at this transfer switch and tested positive. This leads to a faulty transfer switch box. I looked at the schematics and it doesnt look to bad. Has anyone changed thier own with ease?? The manufacture(Parallax Power Supply) has stated they upgraded from my ATS 30 to a new model 301 that is supposed to be better?? Any feedback on that.
Thanks for all the help thus far. My headache is going away..

Martind4 · 08-30-2010, 09:08 PM

Our 50 amp automatic transfer switch failed last winter and I changed it myself without any problems, just make sure you're not plugged into shore power and the generator is off. The manufacturer of our old switch was out of business so I replaced it with a Esco unit, mostly because it had a metal enclosure rather than a cheaper plastic box.

You shouldn't have any trouble, just pay attention to the wiring instructions and make sure all connections are tight when you get done.

Good luck

DAN L · 08-31-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MW Newbie

Here is the update, I checked all the fittings and conections and tried it again with negative results. I looked for a plug to fire the genny up and plug the hair dryer in but it is all hard wired, sooo I learnt how to use a Volt Meter and rolled up the sleeves and started.
Results,, power from the genny (BTW 60hours) to the hard wired pig tailed box. Power at the Transfer switch from genny . Tested the shore power at this transfer switch and tested positive. This leads to a faulty transfer switch box. I looked at the schematics and it doesnt look to bad. Has anyone changed thier own with ease?? The manufacture(Parallax Power Supply) has stated they upgraded from my ATS 30 to a new model 301 that is supposed to be better?? Any feedback on that.
Thanks for all the help thus far. My headache is going away..

try giving that xfer switch box a few raps with a rubber hammer, or a wood block and a metal hammer. if this works, you definitely need a new xfer switch or a good rubber hammer.

MrTransistor · 08-31-2010, 03:27 AM

Hi MW Newbie,

Your transfer switch appears to have a Winne part number of 106071-01-000. The diagram below is for Winne part number 106071-06-000. My guess is that they are at least similar. The reason I created this schematic was because ours experienced the identical problem that you have and as a tech, I have to have a detail schematic to work on anything. Turned out that the only problem was a ‘fast on’ connector that had vibrated off of a micro-switch. Tightened up the ‘fast on’, pushed it back onto the micro-switch connector, and the transfer switch was good as new.

No guarantee that this will fix your problem but it’s worth pulling the cover to take a look inside. Who knows, could be simple and it may well save you some money.

MW Newbie · 08-31-2010, 11:22 AM

Tried to tighten all the fittings and they are fairly snug. Gave it another shot with no luck. Ordered the new transfer swith which Pallax Power supply has upgraded to a better model ( now the ATS 301 vs the ATS30). Should be in tommorow afternoon and will install and hopefully let everyone know my headache is gone. Thanks for the wiring diagram, should come in helpful.

MW Newbie · 09-01-2010, 04:21 PM

Headache is gone... Picked up the new Transfer switch and an hour later, working like a charm. The new ATS 301 is so much nicer of a unit with no marrets needed, all hard wired right to the unit.... Thanks for all the help from start to end.. If I met you all I would buy you a pint...