Wiring Problems with a 1990 Bounder RV

update. The box it does into is called a transfer switch. It seems to be a box that tranfers the power from house when plugged in the generator when its on? The power on the house side is going into the trsfer swith but not going to the curcuit breaker??? what is the purpose of a transfer switch and what does is do.

Controls the source power for your 110 AC power. Switches between the generator and the house current. Isolating them so that they are not on the same line at the same time. To keep phase differential from burning out some part of the system out.

Transfer switches can be automatic (as in your case it would appear) or manual (you need to switch it over yourself).

As someone already mentioned, its job is to make sure that shore power and generator power never meet face to face!!

A Big bang would probably be the result if it did.

Look for a manufacturer's name, call them or maybe read the manual/web site first, just in case there is a simple fix with a fuse or similar inside the unit!!!

You have to have an inverter in there somewhere.(with transfer switch) This takes the 24 volts from batteries and converts to 110 for your microwave, etc. When it senses an outrside current it automatically switches between different currents to charge batteries. Sounds like there's a problem with it.

I believe that he only has a Generator, no inverter, or at least he did not mention it in the original post!!

Many RV's use a crude but simple power transfer device. The "shore power" cable, usually a large three prong plug (30A @ 120V) similar to an electric dryer either plugs into the campground power outlet or into the same type of outlet on the genset. In this way, you cannot accidently backfeed your genset onto the grid, never mind the spectacular electrical and mechanical effects when the grid attempts to synchonize your genset.