"No"Electricity in your Living Quarters?
1. If your Power Cord is plugged in, check the Breakers at the source. For example, if you're at the RV Park at the Fair Grounds in Okla City and you plugged in to one of their receptacles, maybe the breaker for their receptacle is tripped and needs to be re-set.
2. If your Generator is running and you have no electricity inside the Living Quarters, check the Breaker at the Generator. ( in FAQ, see Onan Troubleshooting >> My Generator is running but I have no 120 volt ........)
3. If your Generator is running and the Breaker on your Generator has not tripped, - the ATS (automatic transfer switch) may be faulty.
*** What is the ATS Switch??
The ATS switch is a magnetic switch that controls the direction of 120 Volt AC electricity that is entering the Living Quarters. Example: If you plug in the Power Cord, it automatically switches direction to allow electricity from the Power Cord, if you start the Generator, it automatically switches direction to allow electricity from the Generator.
Note:
Normally the ATS Switch can not be damaged if you have the Power Cord plugged in "and" the Generator is running, because the Switch can only be in one position at any one time, not both at the same time.
*** Here's how to simply check the ATS Switch to see if it's working like it should.
With the Power Cord plugged in, and the Generator OFF, - do you have electricity?
With the Power Cord unplugged, and the Generator running, - do you have electricity?
If the answer is Yes in both cases, the problem is somewhere else.
*** Location of the ATS Switch
Normally the ATS Switch is attached to, or is very near the Converter - but it doesn't have to be.
Note:
It is possible that you will have an ATS switch even if you do not have a generator. But if everything has worked ok in the past, more than likely the problem is not in the ATS switch because it has no reason to switch back and forth if no generator is present. And if you are plugging the Power Cord in to a portable generator, the function of an ATS switch is not needed.
How do I know if my batteries are good?
If you own an RV you should own a battery tester. It will pay for itself many times over. Remember, a parts store is in the business of selling batteries, so check it yourself and more often than not, it will save you a trip to town.
Auto Zone has this Tester for about $40.00. Works on 6 volt and 12 volt batteries.
Part # CP7612
I think my Generator is to Hot, what about that?
Could be.
1. If it's mounted in a Manger, open the Manger Door to give it more fresh air. Check to make sure nothing is blocking the way the generator gets air. For Example, the Manger door is vented but someone has put something over the door blocking the Vents.
Note:
Do not remove the Generator Panel Door thinking that will help. The Panel Door has to be in place so the generator will cool properly.
2. You might try parking in the shade, or move the trailer and put the sun on the opposite of the Generator.
3. With an Onan MicroQuite, the Air is Exhausted out the same place the exhaust pipe leaves the generator. Check that nothing is blocking this flow of air.
4. Does it run better when the sun goes down. That might tell you something.
DO NOT THROW WATER ON THE GENERATOR. I know what you're thinking, but it's probably crossed the minds of some.
Why won't my 12 volt batteries hold a Charge?
1. If you have more than one battery, it is possible that one of the batteries is bad, which will cause all batteries not to hold a charge for any length of time. ( see how to check my batteries )
2. It could be that your batteries need water. If they are Maintenance Free (which means they don't require water) test them to see if they are any good.
3. See also, (Converters) - if the Converter is not working properly, the batteries will not charge.
4. See also, (Photos, Converters) - check the 12 volt fuse. If it's blown the batteries will not charge.
How do I Troubleshoot the Converter?
Read first "Converter Defined"
A. More often than not, the charging side of the Converter quits working, therefor the batteries will not charge up. Here's how to check it out.
You want the Generator running or the Power Cord ( shore cord ) plugged in, and the Battery Switch in the 'OFF' position. Now, if the Batteries do not have a Main Switch that turns them OFF and ON, disconnect the Negative Battery Cable from the Battery or Batteries. Then check, if the Lights in side the Living Quarters, if they do not work, then the Charging Side of the Converter is no good and needs to be replaced.
B. There is also a 12 volt 30 or 40 amp fuse in the Converter. Normally located next to but not inline with the other 12 volt fuses. (see Photos, 7300 Series Converter ) If your converter is not just like this, you should be able to locate the 2 stand alone Fuses. If one of these fuses is blown, the Charging Unit will not charge the Batteries. They are there to protect the charger in case someone replaces a battery and hooks up the wires wrong.
C. Some Converters and Chargers are built into one housing. The 12 volt charger only needs to be replaced. With other Converters, the charging part is Stand Alone. So you'll have the Converter in one place and the Charger in another place. (see, Photos of Converters)
Why are my Interior lights pulsating from dim to bright?
Why are my Interior Lights pulsating from dim to bright
If the Interior Lights ( 12 volt auto ) in your Living Quarters are pulsating from dim to bright, the most likely cause, is the Charging Unit in the Converter is going out. The Charging Unit is like a Battery Charger that converts 110 volt to 12 volt which in turn charges your batteries and makes all the 12 volt appliances and lights operate in the Living Quarters. It is possible you will notice this problem more with the Generator running as opposed to just being plugged in to 110 volt with the Power Cord. (See also Microwave Troubleshooting)
