So here's my latest RV drama that's making me question my life choices... I've got a 2006 Fleetwood Providence with an Onan 7500 generator and Xantrex Freedom 458 inverter, and they apparently hate each other more than I hate setting up camp in the rain.
The AGS does its job perfectly - kicks on when needed, charges the batteries, then shuts down like a good little robot. But here's where things get spicy: about half the time when the generator shuts off, my inverter decides to throw a tantrum and shut itself off too. Then I get to do the walk of shame to hit the reset button like I'm apologizing to a moody teenager.
This has been going on for literal years, and I'm tired of playing referee between my electrical components. Anyone know what's causing this voltage drama and how I can make these two play nice together? Is it a transfer switch timing issue, some kind of sensitivity setting, or do I just have the world's most dramatic RV electrical system?
Generator shutdown causes voltage drop that trips inverter into fault. Common with AGS systems. Solutions include adjusting transfer switch timing, inverter sensitivity settings, or generator governor. May need to reset inverter after each AGS cycle.
SAFETY WARNING: Before beginning any electrical work, shut off the battery disconnect switch, turn off the generator, and disconnect shore power to prevent electrical shock or damage.
Your 2006 Fleetwood Providence is experiencing a common but fixable issue where the AGS (Automatic Generator Start) system is inadvertently shutting off your Xantrex Freedom 458 inverter when the Onan 7500 shuts down after completing its charging cycle. This happens because of a wiring crossover or relay interference between the AGS control module and the inverter's remote on/off circuit. The AGS is sending an "off" signal to the inverter when it powers down the generator, which shouldn't happen in a properly wired system. This intermittent behavior you're experiencing commonly occurs with loose connections or marginal relay contacts in the AGS control circuit.
Common causes include issues in the AGS control wiring to your inverter's remote panel. In your 2006 Providence, Fleetwood used a shared ground or power feed between the AGS system and the inverter control circuit. When the AGS powers down after the charging cycle completes, it's either pulling the ground away from the inverter control or sending a momentary reverse voltage spike that the inverter interprets as an "off" command.
The Xantrex Freedom 458 has a remote on/off wire (usually red) that connects to your wall-mounted inverter switch panel. The AGS system likely shares this circuit or has a relay that's back-feeding into it. Another possibility is that the AGS control module itself is sharing a ground with the inverter control circuit, and when the AGS shuts down, it creates a ground interruption that kills the inverter.
This explains the intermittent nature - loose connections or marginal relay contacts will work sometimes but fail under certain conditions like temperature changes, vibration, or slight voltage variations. The fact that it's been happening for years suggests the wiring was marginal from the factory rather than a component that's completely failed.
For this repair, you'll need a digital multimeter capable of reading DC voltage in the 0-20V range and continuity, a basic electrical toolkit including wire strippers, electrical tape, and heat shrink tubing. You'll also want appropriately sized marine wire (18-gauge for runs under 10 feet, 16-gauge or larger for longer runs), wire nuts or crimp connectors, and possibly a 12V automotive relay if you need to isolate the circuits completely.
A wiring diagram for your specific Providence model would be extremely helpful - you can usually download these from Fleetwood's website or contact them directly. You'll also want to locate your AGS control module, which is typically mounted near the generator or in a basement compartment, and identify where your inverter control panel wiring runs.
First, ensure the generator is completely cool before accessing the AGS control module, which is typically located near hot generator components. Then locate the AGS control module and trace its wiring to see where it connects to the inverter circuit. With your multimeter connected to monitor the inverter remote control wire, observe the voltage during AGS shutdown cycles to detect any interference signals being sent to the inverter.
Next, simulate the problem by manually starting and stopping the generator while monitoring the voltage on the inverter's remote control wire with your multimeter. You should see 12V positive voltage when the inverter is on (the remote uses voltage switching, not contact closure). If this ground connection is lost when the generator shuts down, you've confirmed the interference. Check all ground connections in both the AGS and inverter control circuits - look for shared grounds or grounds that might be loosening up.
The most reliable fix is to install a separate relay to completely isolate the inverter control circuit from the AGS system. Run a new dedicated wire from your inverter switch panel directly to the inverter's remote control terminal (consult your Freedom 458 manual for the correct terminal), bypassing any shared circuits with the AGS. If you find shared grounds, separate them by running dedicated ground wires back to your 12V distribution panel's ground bus.
Test your repair by running several complete AGS cycles - let it start the generator, complete a charging cycle, and shut down automatically. The inverter should remain on throughout this process. If you still have intermittent problems, check for loose connections at the inverter itself and consider cleaning all connection points with electrical contact cleaner.
If you're not comfortable working with 12V electrical systems or can't locate the AGS control module and its wiring, this is a job for an RV technician familiar with your specific Fleetwood Providence model. The wiring can be complex and runs throughout the coach, making it easy to create new problems if you're not experienced.
Also call a professional if you discover the issue is actually in the Xantrex Freedom 458 inverter itself rather than the control wiring. These inverters have known issues with their internal control circuits as they age, and replacement parts are becoming harder to find. A qualified RV electrician can test the inverter's control board and determine if it needs repair or replacement, which typically costs between $300-600 depending on what they find.
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