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01-06-2022, 03:09 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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1 leg of my electricity is dead
We were in the RV when we heard a beep which turned out to be the refrigerator power going off. Closer inspection found that 1 side of the breaker box was not working. I turned off every breaker and powered them back on, no help. The plug was very oxidized so I sanded it with 1500 grit until it shined, no help. I put a meter on the pedestal and assuming top and bottom are neutral and ground I got plus 120 on on each side connector from ground. Moved my power cord reel half way, no help.
I am not sure how to proceed in best way on my Montana. Do I just empty the basement and start pulling off the side panels or is there something else that I could do first to save time and embarrassment?
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2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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01-06-2022, 03:22 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,689
M.O.C. #4831
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I am assuming there is no 120V on one of the 50 amp CsB in the power distribution panel.
I don't know how hard it might be, but can you check the voltage at the contacts on the power cord reel? That lets you know if voltage is making it up the cord and onto the inside.
If you have a generator prepped unit, the the Transfer Switch is another place to check voltage. There have been some issues with that device. It normally fails both legs but maybe this time is an exception.
Lastly, check the EMS system you may or may not have.
I don't know your rig configuration but maybe on of these points will help find the failure.
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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01-06-2022, 03:23 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,894
M.O.C. #24086
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If you have a transfer switch, start there.
The Progressive Dynamics transfer switch has a high failure rate.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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01-06-2022, 03:32 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl n Susan
I am assuming there is no 120V on one of the 50 amp CsB in the power distribution panel.
I don't know how hard it might be, but can you check the voltage at the contacts on the power cord reel? That lets you know if voltage is making it up the cord and onto the inside.
If you have a generator prepped unit, the the Transfer Switch is another place to check voltage. There have been some issues with that device. It normally fails both legs but maybe this time is an exception.
Lastly, check the EMS system you may or may not have.
I don't know your rig configuration but maybe on of these points will help find the failure.
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Where do I access the power reel cord connectors? Where do I access the transfer switch? I am generator prepped (no generator). Mine came with a hardwired Progressive Dynamics ems.
All of this means accessing from the basement correct?
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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01-06-2022, 06:18 PM
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#5
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Dover
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #26146
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The power cord is very hard to get to. I would suggest checking the transfer switch first. On my 3121 it was under the steps. Accessed from inside the storage compartment. Opened the compartment and the bulkhead panel easily unscrews getting you to the backside of the steps. I think you will find the transfer switch right there. Pull the cover and you can use you meter to measure incoming vs outgoing voltage. Mine had failed. It also failed on one leg like you describe. PD sent a new one no charge. They stopped making the one with the built in surge guard it was so prone to fail.
In a pinch you could wire across the transfer switch and eliminate it altogether.
Good luck. Hope yours is in that location. Pretty easy to access and work on.
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2021 Ram 3500 DRW
2022 3231CK Legacy, Shadow FBP, Reese Goosebox
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01-06-2022, 06:30 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,183
M.O.C. #1920
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DTH, just curious if the transfer switch has a function other than EMS? In our Super Solar, that was the sole function so we replaced with a Hughes Watchdog. As an EMS it is a much better option.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames plus Meg - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar+ Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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01-06-2022, 07:12 PM
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#7
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Dover
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #26146
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The primary purpose is to transfer incoming power between shore power or generator power if generator equipped. This was part of the Legacy package at this time whether a generator set was installed or not. They included the surge guard internal to the switch as an enhancement but that model did not perform reliably.
I agree that an ems is a better approach and used one in addition to the PD switch.
__________________
2021 Ram 3500 DRW
2022 3231CK Legacy, Shadow FBP, Reese Goosebox
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01-06-2022, 09:07 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: new river
Posts: 417
M.O.C. #24181
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i am betting the transfer switch also mine went bad and they sent me a new , i jumpered out the transfer swith and left it permanent as i do not have a generater on board. i use a inverter gen and just plug it into the shore power cord. the transfer switch is behind the panel in the front storage compartment . mine is behind the incommand module. if you are handy with electric and can work it safe the relay is probably stuck on . u can test it on the load side of it and it will tell you for sure whatever you do be safe if working on it.
al meyer
3931fb
az
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al meyer
3931fb
az
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01-06-2022, 09:51 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,894
M.O.C. #24086
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I have heard some have had success smacking the transfer switch with a screwdriver handle.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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01-07-2022, 05:49 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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Solved.
As some of you said the transfer switch was the culprit. The upper contractor read the input from the power cord reel correctly at 120v each leg but across the contractor only one leg showed 120v.
I jumped the wires using a correct 50 amp male and female connector. Left a message for Progressive Dynamics to call me back during business hours. Warranty is 2 years, mine expires in 3 days. lol
FYI the PD website had the original instructions including a very large this end up and do not mount horizontally was stressed. Guess how Keystone mounted this?
My photos auto rotated but the left is top, just the way they say not to do it.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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01-08-2022, 06:59 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Forest Hill
Posts: 41
M.O.C. #24971
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I just had the same issue yesterday. Was the transfer switch. Bob and Jeannette gave a great pic. We will see if Good Sam warranty will cover it or not.
G.M.
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01-08-2022, 06:03 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grass man
I just had the same issue yesterday. Was the transfer switch. Bob and Jeannette gave a great pic. We will see if Good Sam warranty will cover it or not.
G.M.
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We full time so I couldn’t wait for a service department. It was really easy to test the power at the transfer switch, it just passes across a contactor or not. 1 screw on the top to open. The input wire is on the right and the breaker box connects on the left. I just used a 50 amp male and female cord connector to jump over the transfer switch, they left us plenty of wire, plugged them together and good to go.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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01-09-2022, 07:22 AM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Forest Hill
Posts: 41
M.O.C. #24971
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Bob,
Sounds good, thanks for the feedback. I am sitting in a park in Florida (snowbird) Camping World is right next door. Mechanic came right over and pushed the contact in. As long as we do not loose power it will remain good. Hopefully they replace the piece as I would like to have it back to 100% while under a warranty.
Thanks,
G.M.
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01-12-2022, 06:36 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
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End note
One call to Progressive Dynamics and a warranty replacement is on the way. Nice folks. They no longer make the one with the surge suppressor but they are sending me one without it.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
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