A/C power from generator.

[Kevin Dullea]

I just bought this 83 Brougham rv and the gen charges the battery, but no A/C to the camper. There is a 30A outlet mounted right inside of where the power cord is stored. The power cord was cut. and I am adding a male 30A plug. it did come with a 30A extension cord.  The A/C does work when plugged to shore power. Could the Gen be powering that box? Plugging the RV cord into that box be how I get A/C to the camper? I do not see any power center. just the A/C-D/C power bow with CB and Fuses. 

Thanks for the help.

[Rich Thomas]

The shore power is separate from the genset. Try looking for other breakers, mine has one under the oven inside the coach. as well as the one at the point where the cable inters the coach.  keep checking back because there's a lot of folks on here that can help you out better than I. 

[Jim Stoltz]

When you say "gen" you mean an AC generator, not the engine generator/alternator right? 

My knee-jerk reaction to your post is that the 30A outlet is being fed by the generator (assuming an AC generator). It's not unusual to plug your "shore power" cord into that generator plug. This eliminates the need for and complexity of an automatic transfer switch. What perplexes me is how the generator could be charging your battery without the power cord being plugged into that 30A outlet. Normally there is a converter that converts AC power (whether shore or generator) to DC power. This will power your 12V coach accessories (lights, water pump, furnace, etc.) and also charge your batteries. Without the power cord plugged into the 30A outlet while the generator is running, it's tough to imaging how the batteries are getting charged.

[Kevin Dullea]

[Kevin Dullea]

It is odd. Will look further into it as soon as I can.

[Jim Stoltz]

That answers that. Your AC problem will likely be solved by plugging your "shore" power cord into that 30A outlet. You see those 2 breakers on the generator next to the start/stop switch? On mine, one powers the AC panel which in turn powers the converter. The other is for a dedicated 20A circuit for my rear AC unit. On yours, they would have probably split the circuits differently. Maybe one powers your converter (all your 12V stuff works) and the other is for your AC stuff (powers that 30A outlet)?

[Kevin Dullea]

This thing was owned by a rocket scientist, anything goes! I have a switch next to the remote start switch that we do not know what it is for.

[Jim Stoltz]

I would flick that switch, but with a broom handle while not sitting inside the rig.

[Kevin Dullea]

It is tied to a relay near the water tank. I believe it powers the pump that is toast.

[James and Yvonne Hoak]

Yes if you want to power your coach off of the genarator you plug the coach 30 amp plug in to the 30 amp outlet in the coach this replaces being plugged in shore power
And the genarator is now powering everything including the ac

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  Kevin, many RV's have a 30 amp 120 volt receptacle right inside the storage box where the shore power cord is kept and it is fed from and powered by the Gensets 120 VAC output. That way you simply plug the cord into it so the genset instead of the campgrounds AC pedestal powers your RV's 120 volt appliances, PIECE OF CAKE and no other kind of a transfer switch is required. I have also seen gensets which have an auxiliary 12/14 VDC output which can be used to charge the battery when running.

  John T

[david craft]

Johns right on this. The two fuses on the front are not AC fuses but DC I believe. The cut cord makes me wonder if there was wiring issues. You could get a $3 20/30 adapter and a $4 polarity checker from harbor freight and check the set. I believe these genny's are capable of charging the batt back through th 12 volt sys. Hint: plug it in when you disconnect and you can fire the ac while traveling. This system is much better than the auto transfer switch IMHO...let her warm 5 minutes before a load though...

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  David, many of those Onan's Ive seen and owned have a single pole 120 VAC 30 amp circuit breaker sort of hidden on the front but off on a side recess (not readily visible but still there)  BUT THEY INDEED HAVE AN AC BREAKER and they are known to trip (always check that if no power). I agree and think the two smaller front panel buss type black cap fuse holders are for the DC control circuit. Many of those gensets were designed to charge the 12 Volt battery that was usually mounted right near them but I think it was via the main + battery cable with no other additional smaller charge wire from the genset to the battery + (charge was built into the Onans battery cable circuit). I much prefer the receptacle system over a transfer switch anytime. NOTE on that system, the gensets Neutral must be bonded to the case/frame and NOT floated.

 John T