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My RV generator runs but does provide power to the motorhome
My RV generator runs but does provide power to the motorhome
by Craig
(Point Pleasant, NJ)
Troubleshooting RV Generator Not Powering Outlets
Can someone help me out? I have a 1996 Chevy FourWinds 5000 with a 454 Motor- The Generator had worked fine powering the unit - Until we plugged it into a hard line at a campsite and left it for a few months.
When I disconnected the land AC Power and drove the RV Home- I tested the Generator, it runs FINE but there is no power to the unit- I found the fuse box, it seems okay as well- I plugged into the House outlet, and it works with direct AC Power-
The GENERATOR is running perfect, but no power in the unit when I just use the GENERATOR-
Does anyone know why? Any help would be appreciated!
ANSWER: Hi Craig, I have a feeling you may have a bad RV Generator Automatic Transfer Switch. But we need to eliminate a couple of other possibilities first.
1. You stated that you looked at some fuses and all of them are good. You need to be looking for tripped circuit breakers that look like the ones you have in your house. Let's start in the generator compartment. Depending on the model of the generator you have, the generator itself can have a couple of circuit breakers on it.
Look at the generator itself and see if you see a circuit breaker(s) on it. If you do and it is tripped; reset the breaker(s) and restart the generator.
The video below will show you how to reset the most common RV Generator Circuit Breaker.
Depending on the age and brand of your generator, the breaker or breakers may be in a different area of the Generator. If there are no circuit breakers on the generator or if they are not tripped, move on to step 2.
2. You need to check the circuit breakers of the motorhome. The circuit breakers for the motorhome are in the electrical compartment of your motorhome.
The electrical compartment can be on the inside or outside of your motorhome (depending on the year and model). If you have the Owner's Manual for your RV, it should tell you the location of the electrical compartment in your RV.
If you don't have an Owner's Manual, you will just have to start opening cabinets on the inside of your RV and storage compartments on the outside of your RV, and you will run into it. You will know because you will see electrical wiring, a series of breakers, some fuses, etc. All these electrical components control the 120 volt and 12-volt power in the house portion of your motorhome. Check all the circuit breakers in the electrical compartment and reset them as needed. Then run the generator and see if this resolves your problem.
If you do not find any tripped circuit breakers in your RV or if you reset the circuit breakers and they trip off again when you start the generator, then you could have a short or ground problem with the generator. You will need to take it in and have it diagnosed and repaired by a qualified RV Technician.
If all the above does not work, then there is a very good chance that the RV Generator Transfer Switch is bad. The RV Generator Transfer Switch automatically lets the generator power the RV when the generator is turned on. If it is not working the generator will run but no power will reach the appliances in your RV. You should take the RV in and have it repaired by a qualified RV Technician.
Important Note: Some RVs don't have Generator Transfer Switches you have to plug in the power cord for the RV to an electrical outlet located on or near the generator itself.
Hopefully, the above information has been helpful to you.
I have a class A motorhome, equipped with an on board Onan 5500 generator. The generator starts and runs fine without a load, once a load is put on it, it will stall out, will not run under a load. If I use portable generator with corded connection, all plugs and A/C work fine, any ideas?
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Troubleshooting RV Generator Not Powering Outlets by: Cary
I had a similar issue, but mine ran the lights only. I had no power to the plug outlets, A/C, microwave or refrigerator. My Onan had a very small switch on the right side of the generator and I pushed it and saw "ON", needless to say that was the issue and I'm up and running. Thanks RVing Al! You got me looking more thoroughly for another fuse and I found the switch.
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Saved! by: Ms. Nobra
This was a HUGE help! Generator was running but no power. Storm came through and temps of 101°. We had to pop the cover off the generator and sure enough the fuse switch was flipped to off. Flipped it on, restarted the generator and now our outlets work and AC is on to cool us off. This saved the last night of our vacation!
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no power from gen to trailer by: mel
I have a 26 foot trailer. I plugged it into my generator then when i turned on ac, it popped and now no generator will power my trailer. Shore power works fine
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Gen prob no ac by: Anonymous
Yes newbie here. Plug had to go into receptacle in shore line box. So simple, so stupid! Thanks all for not making me look too dumb!!!
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Wiring generator by: Anonymous
I am installing a wen4750 generator into a 1989 Travelcraft with 30 amp service..can I wire the 30 amp generator output directly to the 30amp main breaker in the motorhome or do I need to wire it to where the shore power comes in. .looks like shore power comes into inverter box
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new onan no power on my rv by: gilberto
I have a new gen, I install it by my self everything is cool and no problem is working okay no power and I checked all breakers nothing my RV is 2015 lepre
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Generator starts but then stops by: Chuck
2008 Sunseeker with 4000 Onan generator. When I push the start button the generator starts and runs as long as I hold the start button down. As soon as I release the start button it dies. Any help would be appreciated.
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Generator by: Anonymous
I cannot get the electricity to the camper from the generator I have to plug my generator into a plug-in for the motorhome to run appliances. The cord works fine when I plug into an outlet but when I run generator I do not have any juice I've checked all the breakers on the generator and the motorhome and still cannot get electricity into the motorhome.
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BREAKER by: PA
THANKS AFTER SEARCHING ALL AVENUES I FINALLY FOUND THE HIDDEN BREAKER ON THE GEN.
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Similar issue by: Anonymous
Similar issue. bought a camper and the guy threw in a generator. We plugged it into the generator & within seconds the ac shut off, and then other things wouldnt work. So we plugged it into a 30 amp plug from house, and it just keeps throwing breakers. We thought it was bad electrical problem on the camper. So then we plugged another camper into the same generator and it is doing the same thing. We have a guy out here looking at them, but he cant seem to find the problem. I really hope we havent majorly messed up two campers. Is there anyone who can tell me what happened and where to start on fixing this? These are expensive campers! Thanks!
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How tell if coach has auto transfer switch by: Jim
I purchased a 2008 toy hauler and it has a 4000 Onan onboard gen. My question is this. With gen running the a/c and/or microwave will not work. I've checked all of my breakers in the panel and the circuit breaker on the gen itself. All good. Onto transfer switch... How can I tell if my coach has an automatic transfer switch of do I need to plug my shoreline into itself every time? Another thing...the gen box has the large 30 amp receptacle in it...but the shoreline is in a separate outside lock box. If I run my shoreline out and over and into the gen box and plug it in...all works as it should. The separate locations lead me to believe it has an auto transfer switch...somewhere. Why would I have to run the shoreline out and into a separate location every time I want to run the gen? Any help is appreciated.Thanks!
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Plug in the shore power line to the Motorhome. by: AnonymousToby
Tried all the steps. Nothing. Then read to plug your power cord into the motor home where the cord is stored. Duh. Power everywhere. Thank you all.
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5500 onan breaker tripping by: AnSkiponymous
Out of nowhere the bottom 30amp breaker starting tripped about 30 seconds after the unit was started providing no power to the 2011 Winnebago. I then shut all the 110 breakers off on the coach, started the generator again with the same result. I shut the unit off, reset the breaker, turned off the top 30amp breaker, started the unit again. The bottom bottom breaker held. Any ideas?
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Saved the Day by: Anonymous
We are out of state and depending on the use of the generator! This fixed our problem!!! Thanks
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Thanks! by: Anonymous
Thank you! Am traveling alone and my generator wouldn't power my coach. Your troubleshooting solved my problem. It was the circuit breaker on my Onan. Flipped it on and was able to make my coffee. 😀
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Thanks!!!!!!! by: Michael
I have a 2012 Forest River Sunseeker I rent when I am not using. Today, my renter texted me with this problem. The generator is something I never used myself. After checking this site I called my renter and told him to look for a breaker on the generator. Turned the breaker back on and fixed the problem. This was such a help!
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generator power by: susam
i have a 1984 pace arrow. when we try to use air conditioner on generator or microwave nothing happens. I've seen comments about plugging in the power cord. i am a newbie and trying to figure things out before we go somewhere. how and what are you talking about. i dont see a plug where my shore power cord is. HELP please
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Thank you by: Cherice
It was a breaker ON the generator...This is our first RV and our first night on the road.
Thank you, Thank you
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RV generator runs but nompower to coach by: Anonymous
Thx for the valuable info. It WAS the breaker on the generator. Didn't see it first look, found it 2nd time and problem solved😀👍
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Oldest rv and first trip. ..fixed! by: Anonymous
Thanks for the easy steps to try. Walked through them 1 by 1 and then read the older rv note. ..that was it.
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Only got 95-102v at plug in by: Scott
New to site but much needed information. I have an older Onan micro quiet 4000 that is only putting out 95-102 volts at the plug in for the motorhome. Tried adjusting card to idle up and down and no matter what idle rpm it still has same volts. Checked with multi meter. Any suggestions? Scott
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Brain Fart by: Anonymous
Thanks for all the comments. Had a brain fart and reading through this made me realize what I forgot to do. Great info for New to rving
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no coach power when gen running by: Anonymous
i have a 95 rexhall and the generatic gen starts but no poer to coach and no where to plug it into itself i was told it was the 756 circuit board does this sound right
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Saved me a bunch my sanity by: Anonymous
I greatly appreciate all the information you take the time to dispense. I am a new owner of a used 2004 RV and was not looking forward to trying to diagnose my generator issues. It turns out all I had to do was plug in my shore power line into the receptacle inside the storage compartment to get my generator power to the RV. Would never have thought to do this on my own. Thanks!
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Strange set up by: Tim M
Yesterday I started up the generator to check the heat option on the roof top. The generator started just fine and the heat worked well. Living in upstate NY the weather chances by the minute, in saying so it was very humid and warm today so again I started up the generator, no problem, and inside.....nothing. After reading this blog about similar problems, I checked and the only thing I did to the rv today was pull out the shore power cord to clean and re stow it. I didn't realize it was plugged into something inside the compartment where it goes.
Thank you to all for the wonderful advice and information, I plugged it in and it works great and so does the rooftop a/c. I am new to the rv world and this site and folks on it are giving loads of great advice.
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Fixed by: Anonymous
My circuit breaker was 2 inches below the fuse right on the front but you had to stick your head close to look down. Fixed the problem that I caused by turning the air off while on the phone and not waiting long enough before turning it back on again.
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Easy fix THANKS! by: Anonymous
Thanks for the tip. Who knew there was a breaker hidden under all that dirt! Easy fix for once.
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No power from the generator by: Glen
We were running a air compressor of the generator when every thing stopped. I have no current from the generator to anything except the fans on the top air conditioners .what could be wrong and where do I look?
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Generator starts, no electric by: Anonymous
Make sure your electrical plug inside your exterior A/C door has been plugged back in after your shoreline usage. If not that, hold your start button at least 3 seconds down when you start your generator.
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Generator not providing 110 to coach by: Anonymous
My Onan generator works properly. The camper has a compartment for the generator that is hard wired into the motorhome. I disconnected the wiring from the generator and hooked it up to a 300 watt light to make sure the generator was working properly. Worked fine. Everything works fine when hook up to land power but doesn't switch to 110 when the generator is on. Don't see any other switches to turn on etc. All breakers are on, can hear the relay switch when I plug in land power but not when I start the generator. ????
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tesla 3970 by: Anonymous
Mine is intermittent on when it works and doesn't. is it the transfer switch as well?
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Plug your power corde in coach by: Sam
Remember to plug your power back in in your coach . Other wise no 120
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My RV generator runs but no cool air from air conntioning the motorhome by: Jay Sri
My RV generator runs but does provide power for air conditioning to the motorhome
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onan generator by: kcarter
My onan generator starts and runs fine but all the sudden quit putting power to my horse trailer.
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generator problem by: John in vegas
Generator runs. Have the shore line plugged into generator. Checked breakers. When I fire up the generator, the time on the microwave comes on for 5-10 seconds, go off and the generator speeds up without ant load. I turned off all the breakers so tgere was no load at startup and the generator does the same thing. I'm stumped
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Thanks by: Anonymous
This helped me a lot. I went camping and left the onan on when I plugged into the campsite. After camping I cranked over the generator and it would not turn over the ac or anything else. It was the circuit breaker on the onan after a stressful drive home.
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Generator runs but house doesn't get power. by: Anonymous
Did you plug your external cord back into the RV ?
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thanks a lot by: Anonymous
The same as others here you saved me time stress and money thank you so much. Flipping the breaker on the generator itself solved my problem. I didn't know of it having its own breaker. Was on the right side of Onan in a 1996 Coachmen Catalina.
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did the trick by: John
Thank you, I had the same problem and I didn't realize there was a breaker on the generator. You saved me alot of time and money!
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May have your solution by: Mike
Make sure the external power receptacle is plugged into your power outlet box or you will have that problem. That's the power cord that is used for plugging into campsite power 20A. There is a receptacle inside the box that's somewhat hard to locate. Once you plug the cord into the box, you should have power when the generator is running. How do I know this? I had the same problem..
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gen run no power to air conditioner or microwave by: sharon
I have an older RV .After reading your tips my RV is running perfect again.I didnt know the genereator had to be plugged into itself to work properly and reset circuit breaker on generator.Thank you so much, I'm sure this saved me a lot money.
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Gen runs but no power by: Barry
I had the same problem, my wife had the A/C on,electric water heater on and turned on her hair drier, while Gen was running. All power went off, but Gen kept running. I checked all the inside circuit breakers. Did not check Gen, since it was running. After reading your tips, I went out and re-set breaker on Gen Set. Everything back to normal.
Thanks
QUORUM
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generator BRUSHES by: Anonymous
Regarding what was last stated in the first post if what was recommended does not fix the problem then I would check the portion of the generator which makes the power.
The generator is powered by a gas ect. engine. The generator has brushes which make contact with the armature.. Check these brushes they do wear out and when they do you will not have current,,
It is a easy fix you can replace them yourself or have them replaced.. Depending on the brand of generator will dictate how many brushes need replaced, usually four brushes should be abour right..
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