Space Heater Doesn't Work When Generator is On

[BirdbyBird]

I doubt that this is the issue but I also have to take my 30 amp plug that I use for shore power and plug it into a plug right in the side of the cord storage area if I want and of the generator juice to run in the rig. That first time I tried to run the generator and got nothing I had to call and the techs response was , oh, I guess we forgot to mention that....

If I am not connected to shore power or don't have the generator running my microwave has no juice period. Those little blinking lights that I never set are my clue to whether I have electric or not.

If you have coach net, maybe you can call them and see if they have any simple reasons.....that assistance is already paid for......

[Acadianmom]

If you have one of the little voltage meters that tells how much electricity you are getting try plugging it into the outlet you plugged the heater into.

The motorhome I have now doesn't have to be plugged into the generator, it's automatic. My previous motorhome did have to be plugged into the generator outlet. Guess it depends on the make of the motorhome.

Martha

[sharon]

I stand corrected on the time it takes everything to come on. Yes, mine comes on a breaker at a time, too, but it's within seconds of each other once the main kicks on. It does the same thing when I plug into electric.

[Bethers]

I stand corrected on the time it takes everything to come on. Yes, mine comes on a breaker at a time, too, but it's within seconds of each other once the main kicks on. It does the same thing when I plug into electric.

That's a safety issue ... so that we aren't blowing fuses/circuits when the power comes on, especially if we have things that come on automatically, which almost all of us do (microwave, fridge, etc). (Just in case anyone wonders why the delay.)

[monik7]

OK ladies, here's the report. SUCCESS!!! I'm sitting in the RV now with both the generator and heater on. Turns out I was the problem. Even though I don't need to do this at home, apparently in the RV I need to hold down the power button on the heater for a few seconds then it will start blowing warm air. Before I was just pressing it quickly and it wouldn't start. I'm not sure why I have to press it longer in the RV and not at home. Anyway, it's working.

I want to thank you all for your help. I learned a lot. As suggested, I even stopped at Walmart to get a voltage meter. I figured it would also be handy to check voltage on CG pedestals too. You guys are great. Thanks again for your interest to help.
Sandi

[AlmostThere]

Hooray! Glad you found the problem
In any case, we had a great discussion on gen/electric issues that I had not heard of before. All good!

[Bethers]

Yay, Sandi ... good news! I couldn't figure out how you had the light to it on but it not working ... sure seemed that your generator was working find. But the discussion was fun ... and you can sit in the rv with heat and exercise the genny!

[Nasoosie]

YAY! I learned a bit about electricity, too, from your question! Now bring on the cold weather!

[Liz]

YAY! I learned a bit about electricity, too, from your question! Now bring on the cold weather!

Shhhhsh, Soos!

[bluepinecones]

I learned also so thanks for the question and all the responses, but am joining forces with Liz ---- NO COLD WEATHER NEEDED!