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Old 12-03-2021, 02:54 PM   #1
Bru20
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120V from Genny But Not Shore Power

I have been reading the posts for a number of years but have never seemed to have a problem that I needed to ask about. My problem - I have a 2018 3811MS with an onboard Onan generator. I have the unit plugged into shore power (30 amp) in my barn and there is no power to the trailer. I have checked the receptacle and there is 30 amps at the receptacle. If I unplug the trailer and start the generator, the trailer is fully powered. It appears to me that there is a problem in the cord from the receptacle to the trailer. The cord is on a power reel and I am wondering if that could be where the problem is. Hopefully somebody has had this type of problem before and can give me some guidance. Thanks
 
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Old 12-03-2021, 03:06 PM   #2
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Paul, you are likely using a dogbone adapter to go from 30a to 50a. I've had those not work before. You might check output at that adapter or try a different one.
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Old 12-03-2021, 03:25 PM   #3
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Paul, I also sent this in the other thread where you asked the same question

You are likely using a dogbone adapter to go from 30a to 50a. I've had those not work before. You might check output at that adapter or try a different one.
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Old 12-03-2021, 03:46 PM   #4
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Another cause could be a faulty transfer switch (there have been a bunch of bad ones recently). Check the voltage at the input to the transfer switch and then the output side. A bad dog bone is another possibility, along with a fried receptacle at the rear (although that usually cause the plug in to melt also)
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Old 12-03-2021, 06:27 PM   #5
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Hey Paul, I had the exact same problem. Found out the ATS (auto transfer switch) is bad. Every time I ran the Gen, like at a rest stop for lunch, then got home and plugged into my 50 amp power in garage, I had no power. I removed the under bay storage wall to the left of the door opening, located the ATS box, and banged on it a couple times to re-set the ATS. It has worked each time for me. Waiting for warranty appointment to have it replaced. While waiting for warranty replacement we have taken several short trips. With each trips set up and plug-in to pedestal I have had my shore power work. So far, the ATS stays switched to shore power during travel vibration...not sure why. I only have to 'bang on the box' after running the Gen. I learned about this on the forum. This is a great site for all of us MOC members. Hope this helps you out...Steve
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Old 12-03-2021, 06:30 PM   #6
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Dumb question here…does the transfer switch exist on all Montana’s? I have no idea if I have one or not. I have read about their failures so I suppose I should know if I have one and where the thing lives…just in case.
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Old 12-03-2021, 07:03 PM   #7
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i bet the transfer switch relay is stuck. i had a bad transfer switch also , progressive replace mine. mine is removed and it is now thru going. i do not have a onboard generator so i probably will keep it this way,the new one is in the garage in case i ever want to reinstall it. when it went bad i was able to manually push in the relay to get it to work.
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Old 12-03-2021, 07:10 PM   #8
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I checked the dog bone and it appears to be good. I have no idea where the transfer switch is located - any ideas??
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Old 12-04-2021, 09:25 AM   #9
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well mine is behind the wall where the in command panel is remove the screws and the panel will come off. here is the best picture i could find app where it is located. yours may be a little differant but it is a general location

https://www.bing.com/images/search?v...ImgRaw%26r%3D0

if you flip thru you will see the trnsfer switch


hope this helps
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Old 12-04-2021, 11:45 AM   #10
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The transfer switch is the first place I would look.
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Old 12-04-2021, 09:26 PM   #11
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Mike, it exists on all legacy models, I believe. It is also an EMS unit. On our Super Solar Legacy the transfer switch provided only an EMS function and would not latch. When it failed, it would not let our generator charge the batteries. So, we replaced it with a Hughes Watchdog. There is a single screw at the top to remove the cover. Exercise the relay with an insulated screwdriver. That fixed mine until I got the watchdog installed.
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Old 12-05-2021, 12:29 PM   #12
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here is a good article on surge and ems differances.


https://www.campingnoproblem.com/blo...urge-protector
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Old 12-06-2021, 12:53 PM   #13
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Found my Problem

I took your advice and went looking for the ATS. I found it installed behind the In Command system. I had to pull out the In Command system to get the door off of the switch box. The shore power contactor will not engage. I tried giving it a push with a screw driver but it will not move. I am pretty sure that the contactor got fried during a brown out that we had a few weeks ago. After doing some reading I found that the control board looks for a certain voltage and the low voltage it was getting from shore power during the brown out was probably not good for it.

I have ordered a new switch and it should be here tomorrow. I am definitely going to change the location of the switch when I put it back in. Not sure why Keystone would put the switch in that location, but I have seen them do some other strange things as well. At least they left me enough extra wire to move the switch to a more accessible location.

Thanks everyone for all your help!!

Paul
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Old 12-06-2021, 02:41 PM   #14
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Paul, do you actually need the transfer switch? Ours was installed strictly for the EMS capability. There are better EMS’s if that is the case. We replaced ours with the Hughes Watchdog EPO. It has two advantages over the other good EMS system out there - you can read the power via Bluetooth on your phone and if you do get a surge, you can replace the surge module for around $30-$40. Good luck.
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Old 12-06-2021, 05:21 PM   #15
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BRU20, please post pictures of the ATS relocation. I would be interested to see how it comes out. My appt for the ATS replacement isn't for several months. I might ask the dealer to relocated based on your outcome, thanks Steve.
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Old 12-06-2021, 08:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
Dumb question here…does the transfer switch exist on all Montana’s? I have no idea if I have one or not. I have read about their failures so I suppose I should know if I have one and where the thing lives…just in case.
If you do not have gen prep or on board genset then you do not have an ATS. ATS is for switching between shore power and the on board generator if installed or ordered with available gen prep. You don't need one if you have a portable genny but you might find an application to have one for it like wanting to plug you portable genny into an shore plug at the front of your RV for example. Its an option, but with a portable most people will not need an ATS since the RV power is going to be coming from the generator through the same power cord as when when on the power pole. Your RV is not going to know the difference. I'd definitely get an EMS in either case. Keystones OEM ATS product is junk. The Mfr had discontinued that ATS without replacement when it happened to us.
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Old 12-06-2021, 09:30 PM   #17
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Biggarview, are you sure about that? All Legacy packages have EMS. The EMS system they were using was the PD Transfer Switch. Just curious.
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Old 12-07-2021, 11:31 AM   #18
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that transfer switch is a surge guard not a true ems. correct me if i am wrong but an ems is like it says a true energy management system. it does much more than a transfer surge does. high voltage open neutral low voltage swings which are just as bad as because you may not know the voltage is low but it is degrading all your electrical appliances by heating motors until they fry. it protects much more. either a hardwired or stationary ems whatever your choice i prefer a hardwire where it will not walk off by itself. just my opinion to have a transfer switch/surge and a true ems.
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Old 12-07-2021, 11:40 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by rames14 View Post
Biggarview, are you sure about that? All Legacy packages have EMS. The EMS system they were using was the PD Transfer Switch. Just curious.
I think that is correct; we have the Legacy package with the Super Solar Flex, and also have the PD Transfer switch. Which is a bit interesting, as you cannot get gen prep as an option if you order the SSF package.

Like others, we have had a failure and waiting on parts. An electrician friend rewired the input line from the cord reel to use the second switch, which would be used if a generator was installed.

Brad
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Old 12-07-2021, 11:43 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by rames14 View Post
Paul, do you actually need the transfer switch? Ours was installed strictly for the EMS capability. There are better EMS’s if that is the case. We replaced ours with the Hughes Watchdog EPO. It has two advantages over the other good EMS system out there - you can read the power via Bluetooth on your phone and if you do get a surge, you can replace the surge module for around $30-$40. Good luck.
Hi Ron,

I'm considering adding in a Hughes (had another brand of EMS on my last unit).
A couple of questions, if you can:
-can you replace the circuit board on the portable as well as the hardwired?
-if you don't have an onboard genny (like us), would you just bypass the factory ATS entirely?

Thanks in advance for any help on this!
Brad
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