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Old 05-19-2019, 03:11 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Indiana
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THOR #14753
Generator relay

Needs some help in finding out what sends the signal to the latching relay for my generator onboard my class A Thor. I installed a new truck battery in my workhorse chassis, & all the relays opened up. Initially I had no power to the ignition, or anything on the dash at all. Figured that out, but now. I run my generator, & am getting no current what-so ever.
My battery control center is located under the hood in a place that’s near impossible to access.
Does anyone have any advise on what triggers the “genset relay”.

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Old 05-19-2019, 05:11 PM   #2
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 ACE 30.1
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THOR #2631
Welcome OLE25. Built in RV generators typically start using 12VDC from the Coach batteries. After starting the generator output is 120VAC which, when detected by the AC transfer switch, will cause the transfer switch to disconnect the 120VAC shore power feed (if connected) and then will connect the generator output through the transfer switch to the coach AC power panel. So if your gen started OK but you have no 120VAC output first check that the AC breaker located on the generator itself is on and has not tripped first. If it is on then you need to verify that all connections in your transfer switch are good and that the transfer switch is in fact operating. Once the gen starts typically the transfer switch has a 30 second time delay before switching to the generator output feed......if it detects 120VAC from the gen first.



Hope that helps get you started. As always be very careful with any DC or AC power investigations.
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Old 05-19-2019, 05:24 PM   #3
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Just a follow up note showing where the breaker is located if you have the Onan 4KW gen......shown in red circle bottom of the diagram.
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Old 05-21-2019, 12:59 PM   #4
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Javelin, thanks for the info. My problem seems to be an “UNLATCHED” relay marked “genset” in the battery control center under the hood. No clue what latches this relay. I can jump the coil to complete the circuit, but am concerned I am masking a deeper problem.
I am having trouble grasping the purpose of this relay, if the power feeds directly thru the transfer switch.
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Old 05-21-2019, 01:16 PM   #5
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Hi, so I am having a little problem knowing exactly what is not working per your description. Are you saying that when the generator is running you are not getting any DC charging on your coach or chassis batteries? When on shore power do both battery strings charge OK. By the way what coach and year? I am attaching a "generic" schematic showing the typical DC circuits to maybe help visualize things a bit. The generator AC output is not shown but when running and after the transfer switch (not shown) operates the 120VAC from gen would feed the Converter to then supply DC charging voltage per the diagram.
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Old 05-21-2019, 01:47 PM   #6
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Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ole25 View Post
I run my generator, & am getting no current what-so ever.
Does anyone have any advise on what triggers the “genset relay”.
So your generator is running but you have no 120 VAC to the coach? Check the generator output breaker on the generator itself and the Automatic Transfer Switch. Your problem has nothing to do with a DC "latching relay". This is all on the AC side of the coach.
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Old 05-21-2019, 11:04 PM   #7
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Not all coaches have an automatic transfer switch. Thankfully mine doesn’t! If yours doesn’t then make sure your shore power cord is plugged into the generator outlet.
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