No power

[Techwoman57]

This morning the whole 120V system stopped working. I checked the breakers and nothing was tripped. The surge protector at the power post showed good lights. I unplugged from shore power and started the generator and everything came on. I checked the entire length of the power cable and found no breaks in the sheathing. What else could it be but a bad cord? What else can I try before taking it to someone?

[norty1]

What type rv? Do you have a alternate way to get power from pedestal to rv?

Start with the obvious. Do you have access to a voltmeter?

[Techwoman57]

It's a 2008 Melbourne 26A. I don't have a meter or another cord. The power cord is hard wired at the storage compartment.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Techwoman57

It's a 2008 Melbourne 26A. I don't have a meter or another cord. The power cord is hard wired at the storage compartment.

Could be the transfer switch.

[JimD]

Since everything works off the generator you can eliminate everything from the circuit breaker panel on down.

The 120 electrical system basically is split in half with the generator on one leg and the shore power on the other. These 2 feeds come together in what is called a transfer switch whose purpose is to automatically switch from one leg to the other.

When the generator comes on the transfer switch automatically disconnects the shore power leg and connects the generator leg to the breaker panel where it is then distributed to all 120 volt items.

OK, with this basic understanding of how it is suppose to work, the problem is somewhat isolated. If you are comfortable using a voltmeter, the problem can easily be found. But you must know that you have to be careful when poking around live 120 volt circuits. It can be a heck of a jolt if you accidentally touch the wrong thing with a body part. As long as you are careful it should not be a problem.

The problem source would most likely be in one of the following:

1. Transfer switch - bad switch or loose wire connection. Simply open the box up and measure the 120 volts coming in. If it is there then the power cord and surge protector are good.

2. Surge protector - just because the lights are on doesn't guarantee voltage is getting through it.

3. Power cord - doubtful since you said you had normal lights on the surge protector.

All of this info is based on 30 amp service. If you have 50 amp service your rig is being fed 240 volts which is more dangerous to poke around. The troubleshooting process is the same though.

Start at the transfer switch. If you unplug your rig and leave the generator off you can open up the switch and make sure all connections are tight. This would be the first thing to try and doesn't require a test meter and is also completely safe as long as the power is not connected.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by JimD

2. Surge protector - just because the lights are on doesn't guarantee voltage is getting through it.

3. Power cord - doubtful since you said you had normal lights on the surge protector.

Depends on the order of the surge and cord. If he has surge plugged into the pedestal, it could be either the cord or the surge.

If the cord is plugged into the pedestal and then the surge into the cord, it would seem the cord is okay.

[Vicr]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Could be the transfer switch.

X2.

[Jeffur]

Sounds like the line side from the pedestal. Check connections at the transfer switch for 110 when your hooked up to shore power. Could be the relays in the transfer switch.

[Techwoman57]

Where do I find the transfer switch?

[Jeffur]

Contact Jayco or follow the wire to the box. This box will also make a clunking sound when / as the solenoid contacts engage - usually heard just after starting the generator..

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Techwoman57

Where do I find the transfer switch?

Should be pretty close to your breaker panel. Does one of your wardrobe cabinets have a louvered front near the floor? If so it's probably there. If you have drawers under the TV or wardrobe pull those.

[Techwoman57]

Thanks for all the good advice. After finding the transfer switch under a panel under the bed, I found one of the wires melted! No shore power for me until I can get it fixed.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Techwoman57

Thanks for all the good advice. After finding the transfer switch under a panel under the bed, I found one of the wires melted! No shore power for me until I can get it fixed.

Is it an IOTA? Are you the original owner? 08 was the year of the voluntary recall on IOTA switches. If you bought it used obviously the original owner ignored it. IOTA actually quit making transfer switches about the same time.

Here's a thread where the owner had the reverse issue (good on shore, but no geny power).

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-no-72920.html

[Techwoman57]

It WAS the transfer switch. I found an awesome rv shop in the next city and they replaced it and got me back on the road in less than two hours. Thanks again. -Kelly

[Vicr]

Grumpy and I were right!

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Vicr

Grumpy and I were right!

Take a victory lap! We were all trying to help also!

[Johnynorthland]

You must share this “Awesome” RV shop!? Because they are a rarity!

[Bakerron]

Had similar problem.Batteries dieing no indication.It was a defective disconnect switch.
My

[Bakerron]

Disconnect switch.

[gbwill0]

My brand new 319MLOK with a residential refrigerator did the same thing last summer on my first trip out of state. I had a loose wire on my inverter, what my dealer told me to do was to turn off my inverter and leave it off the entire time. Which actually was a good work around. Start your tow vehicle and plug your RV into it with shore power connected, the batteries from your tow vehicle will introduce good 12v DC power to your electrical system and your rig will reconnect to shore power. We left our inverter off (had to turn it off in 2 locations), which will cause your refrigerator to defrost while you’re on the road. We eventually got brave and turned on our inverter while on the road, which didn’t cause a problem. But turn off your inverter and good luck