Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-21-2015, 01:45 AM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
our maiden voyage...........problem

We booked a weekend out at a state park here in Florida to check out the new coach. We arrived Friday AM......got all set up and enjoyed our first night. Saturday morning we are sitting at the table having b'fast with the AC & micro running ....when all of a sudden EVERYTHING goes dead. I assume we blew the breaker.... I check the coach and all is fine......go out to check the power pole.........all is fine. I walk around to the drivers side and see SMOKE pouring out of the electric bay. Open the door and I hear crackling and sizzling.....so I shut the power pole down and when the smoke clears I removed the cover to the transfer switch and its all FRIED ...all the insulation melted off all the wires. So we pack up and head out. I contact Lazy Days and they tell us to bring it in and they will take a look and try to fix it to save our plans. Unfortunately they didn't have the correct transfer switch to replace ours.....and needed to order it. So our coach sits in the service bay waiting for a heart transplant

Hopefully this will be the only problem we have ............
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 04:22 AM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
TonyDi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 106
You didn't mention won't make or year your motorhome was. However I hope they get the transfer switch and for you quickly so that you can start enjoying it. Best of luck and happy trails
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
Newmar Dutch Star 4320, Spartan MM Chassis, Cat C9, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi, Blue Ox Aventa LX, and Brake Buddy. TST 507 TPMS
TonyDi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 07:26 AM   #3
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
Tony.....its a brand new 2015 Aspect.......we just purchased 2 months ago from Lazydays. Thankfully it happen in the morning when we where awake. That electric bay is right under the BED. :(


I think I may mount a smoke alarm in that bay .........just in case.
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 07:58 AM   #4
Winnie-Wise
 
smack2020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 311
Sorry your trip went bad and your moho is out of service. Thank God your ok. Hopefully they will put a rush on the repairs and get you back on the road.


Scott
__________________
2013 Itasca Ellipse 42 QD
2014 Jeep Wrangler
Full time in 2013
smack2020 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 08:19 AM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
cvbdsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 5
I thought that the transfer switch was only a problem in older motorhomes and a certain brand.
I had a 99 Dutch Star DP which also fried the transfer switch. I was told that it could have been for a couple of reasons
- loose connections - they need to be torqued to a certain setting
- improper or marginal gauge wire used by the manufacturer.
They were mainly with the Iota brand who are now out of business?

Mine went up in smoke when I was selling it just as I was showing it to a couple - no sale!

Unfortunately I have the same transfer switch in my current motor home, but I keep close eye on it.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2013-06-30 10.32.32.jpg
Views:	228
Size:	279.6 KB
ID:	97940   Click image for larger version

Name:	2013-06-30 10.35.43.jpg
Views:	227
Size:	346.0 KB
ID:	97941  

cvbdsl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 08:36 AM   #6
Winnebago Camper
 
tmw188's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
Send a message via AIM to tmw188
First thing I thought after seeing the pictures was the wires didn't seem to be pushed all the way into the the wire block and caused a lot of heat from the resistance.


Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
tmw188 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 08:41 AM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
tmw188's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
Send a message via AIM to tmw188
our maiden voyage...........problem

Does anyone know if any manufactures use a silver tinned copper wire? In marine applications it used to resist corrosion of the copper wire strands which cause resistance and leads to heat which leads to fire.


Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
tmw188 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 10:15 AM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
Yes .....I assume it was due to loose connections from the factory.


I could have saved our trip.....simply by just jumping out the T/S and connecting the shore power cord to the wire leads going to the circuit panel ( I was in the electrical business for 30 years ). This would have eliminated the switch and the gen leads.....but may have VOID MY WARRANTEE ..... Im sure. I didn't want to take any chances incase there is further damage NOT visible to the eye. This will be tested after the switch is replaced and we can power up all the appliances and check for any other damage.


I guess its all part of having fun in retirement
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 10:45 PM   #9
Winnie-Wise
 
SuperGewl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
Good thing you are all OK. Make sure they replace the Shore Power Cable and maybe even the Power Cable to the Generator. After they do, go back and check all connections yourself. Make sure that the strain reliefs are there and tight along with the cable holding straps.
It cost me about $500 to repair (hotel room also) mine when it smoked just like yours.
I would also suggest that you have surge protector installed.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
SuperGewl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 01:59 AM   #10
Winnebago Owner
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 110
What does a transfer switch actually do? Transfer what to what?
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 03:05 AM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1
Transfers shore power to generator power..
Pa Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 07:14 AM   #12
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland View Post
What does a transfer switch actually do? Transfer what to what?


IF NOT under warrantee.........It transfers $$$$$ from your bank to some other bank.
__________________
2023 Winnebago ERA 70A 4X4
2011 Honda FIT Sport ..... our toad
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 12:06 PM   #13
Winnebago Owner
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 110
Quote:
Originally Posted by Belladog View Post
IF NOT under warrantee.........It transfers $$$$$ from your bank to some other bank.

Ha...I believe it!!
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 09:07 PM   #14
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeOts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by Belladog View Post
...I guess its all part of having fun in retirement
You've got a great attitude about all this. With such a positive outlook, you're bound to die peacefully in your sleep at about 98 years young instead of the screaming, swearing scaredy-cats in the on-coming car in the opposite lane.

[Moderator Edit]
__________________
Lee
2010 WGO Vista 30W, 1993 Geo Tracker
Just a user with no RV or mechanical expertise
LeeOts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 05:15 AM   #15
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Actually there are about a dozen different transfer switches that are all interchangabl..Oh,slightly different size and shape but all interchangable so they could have fixed it on the spot.

Sounds like a screw loose to me (I am being serious) if the screws holding the wires are not properly tightened arching and other heat sources happen..

The alternative cause.. SOME ATS units the rest state is not-connected

Others (mine for example) the resting state is shore power

In the first when you plug in there is a CLUNK as solenoids engage.. In the second that clunk is only heard seconds after the generator starts (30-120 seconds) and when shutting generator off (usually drouned out by generator)

In the first a coil can short out or otherwise burn up. when on shore power.. in the 2nd that can not happen.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 05:39 AM   #16
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeeOts View Post
You've got a great attitude about all this. With such a positive outlook, you're bound to die peacefully in your sleep at about 98 years young instead of the screaming, swearing scaredy-cats in the on-coming car in the opposite lane.

So many others would be ranting and venting how the rig is a @#$% piece of &^%* built by a !*#^$ company who couldn't find their ^$! with both hands.

Thanks Lee. Our background is 28 years of owning boats....our last was a 42' Sea Ray with twin diesels......then transitioned in motorhomes about 6 years ago when we both retired. We recently downsized into our Aspect from a 40' Diesel pusher. So we know about being let down by mechanical components....we have learned to roll with the punches LONG time ago.

We've also learned the RV stands for.... R uined V acation
__________________
2023 Winnebago ERA 70A 4X4
2011 Honda FIT Sport ..... our toad
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 05:00 PM   #17
Winnebago Camper
 
Mrfoto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Danville VA
Posts: 12
Belladog, I thought R V stood for Revenue Vulture!
__________________
Paul & Carol plus 2 Bichons
2015 Winnebago Sightseer 35G, Blue Ox Tiger TracBar, 5 Star tune, Safe-t-plus steering
2008 HHR Toad & Working hard at retirement
Mrfoto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 05:17 PM   #18
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrfoto View Post
Belladog, I thought R V stood for Revenue Vulture!


Yes.........that also
__________________
2023 Winnebago ERA 70A 4X4
2011 Honda FIT Sport ..... our toad
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2015, 01:54 PM   #19
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 35
.......UPDATE......




Our Aspect is all repaired. L/D installed a new transfer switch as promised under warrantee ( I would have expected nothing less ) We picked it up yesterday and the coach is back home. We will be leaving Friday for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona for the weekend..... down to the Keys next week.....then up NORTH for the month of August. All is good again.


Safe travels everyone....and enjoy
__________________
2023 Winnebago ERA 70A 4X4
2011 Honda FIT Sport ..... our toad
Belladog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2015, 04:54 PM   #20
Winnebago Owner
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 110
Good to hear all is well...thanks for the update.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
voyage


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Maiden Voyage Wayne M Winnebago Class A Motorhomes 7 09-18-2008 03:40 PM
83 Chieftain, Maiden voyage and then UH OH! tnau Winnebago Class A Motorhomes 8 08-22-2008 03:35 PM
Our Maiden Voyage-NOT!!!!!!!!!! JC2 Winnebago Class A Motorhomes 13 04-03-2007 04:22 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.