Pls forgive me, as this is a question on my sob (Pleasure Way Sprinter Van MB drive train:I have asked this Q on a class B site but there aren't many PW's) My AC works great on shore pwr: my generator starts and runs fine (onan 2.5); but AC won't run off of gen. I have checked the circuit brkr and it is fine. With shore pwr disconnected, I tried cutting off coach batt to see if gen is giving frig and lights pwr, but gen died when batt was switched off. Does gen need coach batt to run? (I know it needs it to start, but to run as well?) If not, then perhaps gen is running but not sending its pwr. It has no switch that I can see, and the manual for the coach is shorter than a D- high school research paper.I suspect I am missing something obvious? thanks in advance.

do you get 110v out of the gen? Is there a plug on the gen? See if it is putting out anything.do you have a volt meter? on mine somebody put a inline switch on the starter side of the gen.saw it run when I got home it wouldn't run.they did not tell me it was there stupid me didn't ask.check voltage from gen first.
lenny

Do you have any 120vac when the genset is running??
Some RVs to this day still use the tried and fail proof method of plugging the power cord into a receptical in the power cord bay. It may be as simple as plugging the power cord into a 30 amp receptical in the bay.

Thanks for the responses. I have learned a bit more, but no firecracker yet. Gary, you're right: there is no juice in the outlets, nor microwave, nor ac when gen is running. So it is not an AC problem (All work on shore pwr)
1. my little coach manual (thinner than a small church bulletin) says "For your safety, all generator units are equipped with an automatic transer switch that will allow your coach to receive power from either shore pwr or your generator".
2. I then found the Onan manual and it said there is a circuit breaker on the generator. It is painful to get there and reach it, but I did, and it made no difference.(ie, gen still ran w/ it flipped either way, but AC still didn't.
3. So my gen is running great, but apparently not sending its power. And there is no plug that came unplugged (that I can see), and this is a 2005 model. The circuit breaker in the coach (on a panel w/ frig and other circuit breakers) is on, and switching it off/on makes no difference.
4. Is it possible a fuse is bad? I found those, but Napa is closed today of course. The gen would run even if the fuse is bad, wouldn't it? (I feel ignorant asking that question but I'm desperate). Thanks again.

If there is a transfer switch it could be either automatic or manual.

If manual there will be a switch inside the coach to transfer from shore to genset.

If automatic there will be a transfer box somewhere in the coach. This is not part of the generator but the output of both the generator and the shore line cord will go to it. Also on automatic if the generator is started it take over, even if still plugged in.

If you were in Yuma could probably find the problem in a couple of minutes. BUT!

First question that comes to mind is 'has this ever worked for you before?"

...or is this just recently purchased?

Gary, I'd drive to Yuma for that solution, but I'd need ac on the way...(dumb joke) Actually, my coach is only '20 so the dash ac keeps us cool even here in GA. So Relative, I actually can't remember if I have run the ac from gen! I think so (not a recent purchase, bought 3 yrs ago); we never use microwave and fan usually cools fine at night or shore pwr for ac. thanks for the help.

quote:

Originally posted by stringmann:
Gary, I'd drive to Yuma for that solution...

Would you drive to Myrtle Beach? I'm here `til this Thursday. [400 mi about 6 hours 50 mins]

quote:

Relative, I actually can't remember if I have run the ac from gen! I think so (not a recent purchase, bought 3 yrs ago); we never use microwave and fan usually cools fine at night or shore pwr for ac. thanks for the help.

Have you successfully used the generator recently at all for anything?

Reason I ask is it wouldn't be the first time I've seen one with an alternator that hasn't been used for years and is rusted/gummed up. It is the generator slip rings that cause the most trouble when the unit isn't exercised frequently.

The generator needs the house battery to provide spark for running, and some have an electric fuel pump.

First thing, as mentioned, is to see if the genset's putting out 120VAC. There also may be 12VDC fuses on the generator, as some use 12VDC for excitation, so look for them; if the exciter circuit's dead, no output.

There would be no socket on the coach for the shore power cable to plug into with the automatic transfer switch.

Eureka! I had read manual carefully, found hidden breaker on front of gen (so hard to get to and can't see, under coach); but I didn't let it build up for a minute before it switched over. I exercised some patience and now all is working! Thanks for your help!

"It's always SOMETHING!" - Gilda Radner as Roseanne Rosannadanna, SNL