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Powertec issue
This past weekend I needed to use my Powertec generator. Starts right up with no issues. I take my time and turn everything on including all 3 cruisairs. Everything was good. Went out for an hour or so. When I returned I heard a loud clicking either behind or under the circuit breaker panel in the kitchen. When it clicked I would momentarily loose voltage on both legs according to the gauges inside. Everything still functioned in the coach, but obviously not a good situation. I shut everything down and switched to then available shore power.
I have not tried the generator again, but I do plan on digging into it tomorrow. I did replace the voltage regulator a few years ago.
Where should I start looking?
Thanks.
Bill III
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
46 Replies
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I had something similar happen to me. Turned out to be my transfer switch. It finally just quit making the transfer. I am away from my records right now, but the older transfer switches were just not beefy enough to handle the load and the manufacturer engineer I spoke with recommended their new model. That solved my problem. Just have to start probing.
I think the company may have been Progressive Dynamics out of Marshall, MI which interestingly enough is about 15 minutes from my home.
Good part about new model is that it is build better.
Bad part about new model is that it is built differently and I had to relocate it and run new wiring.
Rick
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Transfer Switch?
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This is the switch I have.
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Without my records in front of me, I think I ended up with the 100amp version of their transfer switch.
PD53-100?
Anyway, you check it out.
Rick
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Ahh. I see. I am just not familiar with how Liberty did theirs. Mine is all automatic with two auto-transfer switches handling Shore-Generator-Inverter.
This switch is in your cabin, so there has to be a contactor/solenoid handling the high amperage somewhere. The one for your generator is weak and opening or you have a bad connection on the low voltage side. That would be my guess.
Rick
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The first thing i would do is turn off the (70ish amp) breaker that is in the generator compartment. Start the geny and test the voltage on the feed side of that breaker. If it is within 10 percent of 120/240 you are good atleast at no load. If its higher or lower than that your transfer switch will act like you describe. That is just a starting point.
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
Thanks so much guys for the help. As I said I will dig into it tomorrow and let you know how I make out.
Instead of having to get back behind the generator can’t I just check the voltage from here? I understand that if it’s a problem from here then I need to trace back closer to the gen.
Bill III
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Get it tuned up, between you and Jon and your Liberty’s, Nance and I had to use gas masks in our coach. Skeeters couldn’t live through that smoke.
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years. -
Truk you mean they don’t have a pipe extension to get over the roofline?
Not very neighborly.
Later
bv
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Hell no Bernie, both gen exhaust aimed at my bedroom, may have been a planned move.
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Sorry since it didn’t have a P on it I didn’t notice!
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That is uncalled for..(g)
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Whine, whine, whine. Since Bill and I were unaffected by our generator exhausts whose exhaust is near our bedrooms also, it must mean Tom’s bedroom must be drafty and have open holes letting in odors, exhaust, bugs, etc.
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Jon I’m thinking either the balsa wood is warped or the elmer’s glue has given way.
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Ok I am sitting in the coach with the generator running. Everything in the coach is on and running if possible. No issue as of yet.
I did check the voltage at the panel pictured above. They tested at 120 and 123. When I look at the 2 gauges inside the coach the read 125 and 126.
My questions thus far are these. It appears through a brief search that most of the new transfer switches are automatic. Is this the way I should go? It concerns me that it would be something else to go wrong and also that I may not be qualified to install myself.
Another question. Providing that it might be a switch how do I make sure all power is off to the switch? Gen off, shore power disconnected and do I need to turn off this house battery switch?
Also does anyone have a source for this transfer switch?
Bill III
Tom if you can help I will apologize for my last comment:)
2005 XL Thompson Coach
Rarely tow anything behind us.
Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years.
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