Results for "external generator"

The automatic transfer switch on my 1999 American Eagle detects shore power and onboard diesel genset fine, but won't recognize my external portable generator — can I fix this for under $50? The generator runs fine and produces power, but the transfer switch doesn't trigger to use it.

What causes this issue and what are my options to get the ATS to work with an external generator? …more

Our Onan 7000 Marquis generator is hitting us with low voltage to the fuel pump for the third time this season and I'm done with guessing games. When I check the voltage at the fuel pump, I'm only getting 9V instead of 12V, and surprise surprise - it won't start. But here's the kicker - if I jump 12V directly to the pump, the thing fires right up and runs like a champ.

Obviously there's a voltage drop happening somewhere between the control board and the fuel pump, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Could be corroded connections, maybe the control board itself is going bad, or some wiring issue in the fuel pump circuit? Anyone dealt with this before and know the most common culprits? …more

Opened my 2022 Holiday Rambler 38N DP and discovered it's eating through surge protectors way faster than normal, despite having the built-in Southwire system. Dealer says I might not need an external surge protector like a Watchdog since it's already built in.

Does a built-in Southwire surge guard provide the same protection as a standalone EMS unit? Should I still install an external surge protector or is the built-in system sufficient? Want to make sure I have proper protection without buying unnecessary equipment. …more

Woke up to my Aliner classic's power system working perfectly in 60°F weather, but now that it's 85°F outside I'm drowning in solar versus gas generator confusion. Coming from a Rialta with a built-in generator where I just added some solar panels, I'm now starting from scratch with just one 88Ah lead acid battery and need to figure out the most practical setup for my boondocking needs.

My power requirements are pretty straightforward - laptop, house lights, furnace for overnight heating, and the occasional use of my 1800-watt toaster oven which is really the main power challenge. In my previous RV, I had 160Ah of lead acid batteries with a 100W solar panel that handled everything except the toaster oven, which required firing up the generator. I'm considering adding 200W of solar panels to this setup.

Here's where I'm getting confused: I've been looking at 2000-2500 watt generators with minimum 1900 running watts, but I heard you shouldn't run more than 80% of the running watts capacity, which would mean I need about 2300 running watts just to safely operate my 1800W toaster oven. Is that calculation correct? Alternatively, I'm wondering if I could skip the generator entirely and run the toaster oven off a large battery bank with a proper inverter - but I have no idea how much battery capacity that would require or if it's even practical. What's the most cost-effective approach for someone who primarily needs reliable power for essential loads but occasionally wants to use higher-wattage cooking appliances? …more

Between now and our cross-country departure next week, my 2006 Allegro Bus motorhome with the Ford V10 engine started having intermittent starting and stalling issues. After doing some research and talking to other RV owners, I've narrowed down the potential culprit to what appears to be a failing Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM). From what I understand, this is a pretty common failure point on these Ford V10 engines, especially in the motorhome applications.

The symptoms I'm experiencing include occasional hard starting, particularly when the engine is warm, and intermittent stalling while driving - sometimes the engine will just cut out for a second and then come back to life. I've checked the obvious things like fuel filters and basic electrical connections, but everything seems fine there. Multiple sources are pointing me toward the FPDM as the likely cause.

I'm ready to tackle this repair myself, but I need to know the exact location of this Fuel Pump Driver Module on the Allegro Bus chassis. I've heard it's a small black module with a single electrical connector, but I haven't been able to locate it yet. Can someone tell me specifically where Ford mounted this component on the 2006 Allegro Bus with the V10 engine? I want to inspect it first and possibly replace it if it shows signs of failure or corrosion. …more

Our 2017 Prevost coach's Outback VFX2812M inverter/charger died completely and my wife keeps asking why nothing electrical works anymore. The unit appears to be getting power since the cooling fan kicks on and runs, and when connected to shore power, 120VAC passes through just fine. However, when I disconnect from shore power and shut down the generator, the inverter completely fails to produce any AC power output.

What's particularly concerning is that the MATE digital controller inside the coach never powers on - the display remains completely blank with no indicator lights whatsoever. I have a brand new 12VDC battery bank, so I don't believe it's a battery issue. I've already tried disconnecting both AC and DC connections and reconnecting them, but aside from the fan running for about a minute during startup, nothing else happens.

I'm wondering if there might be internal fuses within the VFX2812M that I should be checking, and also whether the blank MATE controller display might be related to the same underlying problem. What are the most likely culprits when you have fan operation but no inverter function and no controller display? …more

Between midnight and 6 AM, my 2001 Ford E450's Victron 3000W solar system keeps flipping itself from RV to house power mode completely on its own. The bus is parked in my driveway and currently running a mini split efficiently with minimal power draw from the battery bank.

My house has a secondary electrical panel with a 30-amp inlet that I normally use for my Honda generator, connected through a transfer switch. The panel feeds 2x 20-amp and 4x 15-amp circuits. Since the solar system is producing excess power while parked, I want to utilize this capacity to power my house circuits.

What's the proper method to connect the Victron inverter output to my existing 30-amp house inlet? I need to understand the safe connection procedure, power limitations of the 3000W system, and any critical monitoring requirements for the battery bank when supplying house loads instead of just the RV systems. …more