“Screwed” Transfer Switch

[PreCambrian]

This morning before leaving on an RV trip, I was double checking the RV systems. I started the generator to check it without unplugging shore power. I loaded up the generator and went away to do some packing. When I got back the generator was running but no 120V power in the RV. My wife tells me that the garage door won’t open (I use that circuit for shore power since it isn’t GFCI protected).

Trying to determine the cause, I open the transfer switch for the first time (actually very difficult under the dining seat and the snaps are very tight).

Someone, either the factory or the dealer, had jammed a screw into the physical indicator on the L1 contact for shore power so that it was always closed. See the photo.

It turns out that the 30A breaker on the generator tripped (actually took me a few minutes to find that breaker) and the generator kept running. My garage breaker tripped. It is a dangerous condition since the shore power plug has an accessible energized prong whenever the generator is running.

After removing the screw my RV no longer trips the GFCI when I plug into a protected outlet. I will have to test this again to verify, I only tried this once very quickly.

 

[16ACE27]

This morning before leaving on an RV trip, I was double checking the RV systems. I started the generator to check it without unplugging shore power. I loaded up the generator and went away to do some packing. When I got back the generator was running but no 120V power in the RV. My wife tells me that the garage door won’t open (I use that circuit for shore power since it isn’t GFCI protected).

Trying to determine the cause, I open the transfer switch for the first time (actually very difficult under the dining seat and the snaps are very tight).

Someone, either the factory or the dealer, had jammed a screw into the physical indicator on the L1 contact for shore power so that it was always closed. See the photo.

It turns out that the 30A breaker on the generator tripped (actually took me a few minutes to find that breaker) and the generator kept running. My garage breaker tripped. It is a dangerous condition since the shore power plug has an accessible energized prong whenever the generator is running.

After removing the screw my RV no longer trips the GFCI when I plug into a protected outlet. I will have to test this again to verify, I only tried this once very quickly.

Looks like a standard spare screw Thor includes with all RV purchases. You usually get several but this is the first time I've seen one included inside the transfer switch.

 

[PreCambrian]

Looks like a standard spare screw Thor includes with all RV purchases. You usually get several but this is the first time I've seen one included inside the transfer switch.

Yes I have found many behind the electrical panel, underneath the shower pan, under the cabinets, etc.

What makes me think that this was intentional is that the transfer switch is enclosed and the only time that the transfer switch relays are energized (and the mechanical position indicator is down) is when the RV is not moving. So it would be difficult for the screw to be wedged in when the RV isn’t moving.