Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-11-2016, 11:11 AM   #1
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas
State: California
Posts: 64
THOR #2485
Blown Transfer Switch

While traveling to the west coast in our 2016 Vegas 24.1 we were delayed a few days after our transfer switch blew out knocking out our 30 amp shore power connection. We were running the AC and electric water heater and had a surge protector connected when the power cut out leaving an electrical burning smell in the rear compartment. None of the breakers or fuses were tripped or burned and both generator power and 12V still functioned. We managed to find a local repairman who replaced the transfer switch. He found the insulation around the cable ends were stripped short not allowing the wire strands to be properly twisted into a solid bundle prior to connecting them with a twisted wire connector and wrapping them with electrical tape. He said that he's replaced a number of switches because the loose strands often short at the wire connectors sending an arc wiping out the solenoid switch. Our switch box is located under the passenger side bed towards the rear of the compartment and looks like a black box with heavy orange cables running out of it. It might be worth re-doing all the cable connections to make sure there aren't any loose strands.

__________________
tmshih is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2016, 10:03 PM   #2
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Vegas 24.1
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 57
THOR #3973
Transfer Switch

We are currently having our transfer switch replaced as well. It didn't actually fail, but we were getting a strong electrical burning smell from under the bed area. It was hard to trace the smell because it floats up through the vented area by the charge controller and hot water tank. Fortunately the repair is covered under warranty.
__________________
bolandd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2016, 11:59 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mo_Mike's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,039
THOR #4687
We had the same issue. Lost all 110 from shore power or generator. The hot wire arced and melted the wire nut. I stripped the wires back, used a new wire nut and secured with electrical tape. Everything was good to go in about ten minutes. (once I found the transfer switch. Wasn't where THOR said it was) Definitely worth checking connections.
__________________
Mo_Mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2016, 12:03 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Mo_Mike's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,039
THOR #4687
Also, the day before this happened the AC unit was really noisy and running rough. Guess that is was the lack of good power causing that. Just wanted to mention that this should have been a warning sign, but thought it was just warm weather.
__________________
Mo_Mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2016, 10:46 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 2
THOR #6082
Thanks so much for the information. We have a 2016 33.5 Miramar and new to motor coaches but not camping as we traded in our HitchHiker 5th wheel recently. The previous posts really helped in zeroing in on the possible reason for the popping sound we heard today and localized to the back bay at the transfer switch. Based on the posts, we think we have avoided any long term damage and will pursue having the transfer switch checked and possibly rewired. Happy motoring y'all!
__________________
Cally2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2017, 11:20 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 13
THOR #7660
Thor Vegas automatic transfer switch

Wanted to add to the experiences with this item. We have a 2015 Thor Vegas 24.1. Over the past few months, the shore AC would not always go on when plugged in . Thought it was post power problems at the campsites, but it happened at home too. No distribution AC breakers would trip. The generator AC would be ok, never tripped out when activated. Since the problem was so intermittent, it took a while to solve. I searched for a long while to find the ATS in my rig. Turns out, it is located under the hall closet, but you have to remove the two drawers to get to it. Once I removed it for inspection with the wires still intact on the unit, I discovered one very blackish discolored neutral wire (they are white). Further inspection revealed the wire was very loose on the terminal. I stripped the blacken part, connected it tight, and tried the shore AC, as well as the Gen. All worked very well. I suspect Thor would say that it was shaken loose from travels, maybe so, but it also might not have been installed at the factory three years ago with the correct screw torquing. Anyway, the unit was not damaged, apparently, and it was a satisfying self-fix!
__________________
tomsvegas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2017, 02:38 AM   #7
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomsvegas
Turns out, it is located under the hall closet, but you have to remove the two drawers to get to it.
Did you try removing the cold air return vent below the drawers and get access that way? (removing that vent gives you access to a lot of stuff there)
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2017, 04:38 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 13
THOR #7660
Thor Vegas automatic transfer switch

yes, I removed the cold air return panel, and the ATS is not visible or accessible from behind the vent. Thor mounted my ATS up and behind the top drawer.
__________________
tomsvegas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2017, 03:15 PM   #9
Member
 
Felices30.2's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.2
State: Texas
Posts: 75
THOR #6917
My brand new never on a trip ACE 30.2 is in the shop for this same issue. My symptom was......everything worked when hooked up, but only 1 AC and half the plugs worked on Generator. They have had my unit for a month and a week. Driving me crazy as I have not even been on a weekend trip yet. Go figure. 90k and this is what we get, lol.
Thanks Thor.

Does anyone know where this switch is on an ACE 30.2?
__________________
Felices30.2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2020, 03:47 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Idaho
Posts: 4
THOR #18782
Under the bed
__________________
Bbreffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 09:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2