2005 Fleetwood Bounder 36z Automatic Transfer switch location

[Rockbus]

Hello all - hoping someone can help me find the ATS in my Bounder.  I plug in and immediate trip on the outlet so I think my ATS is fused or damaged and will need to fix/replace it.  I checked Oemy's and nothing on location even though he has a bunch of good info. 

 

[ChasA]

Hi Rockbus, welcome to the forum.  Your ats should be at the rv end of your power cord.

 

[Rockbus]

My power cord plugs in aft of the generator on the driver side.  It's a separate part of the "box" behind the door but doesn't seem to have anything behind it.  My panel is directly above the generator in the bedroom with a washer/dryer location between them.  I don't think it's directly at the end - did they put them in the breaker panel on Bounders?

 

[Alfa38User]

My power cord plugs in aft of the generator on the driver side.  It's a separate part of the "box" behind the door but doesn't seem to have anything behind it.  My panel is directly above the generator in the bedroom with a washer/dryer location between them.  I don't think it's directly at the end - did they put them in the breaker panel on Bounders?

IF you have one!! The alternative is a seeming useless plug nearby where the cord comes into the RV. In this case, the cord is plugged into that instead of the pedestal, often called a poor mans ATS or manual switch.  That said, it may be behind the breaker panel itself but you will have to take the inner panel off to be able to see behind it. (Just a WAG, perhaps someone with a similar vintage Bounder will jump in here).

 

[Rockbus]

It may be behind the breaker panel itself but you will have to take the inner panel off to be able to see behind it. (Just a WAG, perhaps someone with a similar vintage Bounder will jump in here).

I'm hoping someone can jump in.  The panel is not in the best location to dismantle it in the coach.  Either way I'll be digging into it this weekend to see if I can identify the location and fix or order a new one.  I'm hoping it's just stuck and can be released so it functions again. 

 

[Alfa38User]

I'm hoping someone can jump in.  The panel is not in the best location to dismantle it in the coach.  Either way I'll be digging into it this weekend to see if I can identify the location and fix or order a new one.  I'm hoping it's just stuck and can be released so it functions again.

If it is "stuck", this usually means burned/pitted relay contacts usually caused by transferring the power over while under a load. Any repair other than a relay replacement will be short lived but it can be done.

 

[Rockbus]

If it is "stuck", this usually means burned/pitted relay contacts usually caused by transferring the power over while under a load. Any repair other than a relay replacement will be short lived but it can be done.

Understood but I need to find it first   It is more than likely fused but want to see before I start ordering parts.  (then I'll know what type to order).  Ah, the motorhome life

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

In many RVs (including the Bounder), the ATS is immediately behind the load center rather than where the shore cord physically enters the RV.  You can always find it by following the shore or genset cords to the place where the two come together.

I don't see any particular reason to assume it's the ATS - it's just one of multiple possibilities. In fact, a damaged shore cord is at least as common a problem. Have you inspected the plug on the cord?  Another simple diagnostic is to turn off the main breaker in the load center before plugging in. If it still trips, the problem is somewhere between the load center inlet and the shore cord plug, but at least you eleiminate other RV wiring. If it doesn't trip, you know the problem is NOT the ATS or shore cord.  Also, does the generator breaker trip if you use it instead of shore power?

 

[SMR]

I would call Fleetwood and ask them, when we had our 2005 Bounder 38N they supplied me with all the electrical schematics and would also help me diagnose the minor issues. This was back in 2015 so they still might have the info.

 

[Old_Crow]

Gary's right.  On my '00 Bounder 36S, I can hear the ATS behind the load center when I fire up the generator.  My load center is above the fridge, half way across the coach from either the genny or the shore power plug in.

 

[Rockbus]

In many RVs (including the Bounder), the ATS is immediately behind the load center rather than where the shore cord physically enters the RV.  You can always find it by following the shore or genset cords to the place where the two come together.

I don't see any particular reason to assume it's the ATS - it's just one of multiple possibilities. In fact, a damaged shore cord is at least as common a problem. Have you inspected the plug on the cord?  Another simple diagnostic is to turn off the main breaker in the load center before plugging in. If it still trips, the problem is somewhere between the load center inlet and the shore cord plug, but at least you eleiminate other RV wiring. If it doesn't trip, you know the problem is NOT the ATS or shore cord.  Also, does the generator breaker trip if you use it instead of shore power?

I'm lucky enough to have 2 cords and 2 dogbones.  I tried both dogbones and still pop immediately with master breaker on or off.  Good thought though, I have driven over one of my cords a couple of times.

 

[Rockbus]

Gary's right.  On my '00 Bounder 36S, I can hear the ATS behind the load center when I fire up the generator.  My load center is above the fridge, half way across the coach from either the genny or the shore power plug in.

My load center is immediately above the rear of the genset in a bedroom cabinet.  I'm going to pull it apart this weekend and see what I can see. 

 

[Rockbus]

Ok, dug into it over the weekend.  Found both inverter and transfer switch under the drawers in the aft cabinet.  No damage so I fired up the generator to test.  I clearly heard ATS click with lighting power center lights (output) by my cooling controls in the hallway.  Turned off genset and tried shore cord - works.  Confused now since it was not working before.  Even tried other cords to see if I could find an issue with cords but no issues.

I did get diagrams from Fleetwood for circuits so at least I have those now.  Will troubleshoot more this weekend if it's not 95.  Thanks again to all that have been helping.

 

[Hyslopthom]

I would call Fleetwood and ask them, when we had our 2005 Bounder 38N they supplied me with all the electrical schematics and would also help me diagnose the minor issues. This was back in 2015 so they still might have the info.

Can you send me the schematics? They told me they didn’t have them due to the 2009 bankruptcy.