Interstate Microwave Outlet Help

[gta289]

I am trying to help the in laws diagnose a microwave issue on a 2006 Interstate over the phone as they travel. From what I am told, the microwave outlet will not work when the RV is running off the built in generator or the 110 direct connect. The microwave will work when connected to a stand alone 100 AC hooked up to an outside source. From reading online, the AC and Microwave both share the same circuit so with the AC working I didnt think it would be a breaker problem.

The RV is new to the family, so I am not sure if they are missing a procedure to electrify the outlet or if the outlet has a bigger issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

Rz

[purman]

Have they tried plugging something else into that plug. It may be connected to a GFI plug that has blown.. Have they Checked all the fuses? and breakers?

[richinny]

most units can't run the microwave and the air at the same time. tell them to look for a switch in the cabilet above the microwave to switch fron air to microwave.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by richinny

most units can't run the microwave and the air at the same time. tell them to look for a switch in the cabilet above the microwave to switch fron air to microwave.

The Airstream has an automatic priority relay instead of such a switch. It is supposed to automatically give priority to one of the devices (the A/C, I think). Could they be trying to use the Microwave with the A/C on? If not, then I suspect that this relay has failed. They could try plugging the microwave into another outlet--just make sure the A/C is off.

[Lily&Me]

We have an 06 Interstate. Our microwave will not run if the AC is on. We are able to run the microwave off the generator, but it seems to draw a lot and so limit other things if doing this. Good luck.

[gta289]

Unfortunately, I am starting to think the automatic switch has failed. The wall plug behind the microwave is dead, even after re-seating the wire connections. All other outlets including the 110 above the sink work fine. I assume this outlet can be used to run the microwave as long as the AC is turned OFF.

Any ideas on the switch location?

Thanks for all your thoughts!

[richinny]

go for it! i've done that to keep the clock set. i'm alone, so i know nobody is going to turn on a hair drier. is there anything in the owner's manual about a manual switch?

[gta289]

No, unfortunately the owners manual only refers to the automatic switch. They arrived home today and I played with it a while. Still no success. Scenario is the same..... start generator (microwave has power) , cut the AC on and the microwave outlet loses power and doesn't return. I guess the only option is to locate the relay and replace.

Rz

[Condoluminum]

Regardless of power source, the wiring for Microwave and A/C is shared, and the circuit won't tolerate the load for both...

Trailer is designed so that microwaving and air conditioning can't occur at same time, whether switch is automatic or manual...

[gta289]

I guess to clarify the issue. The microwave is not in use. The clock is on only. When AC is cut on the outlet goes dead and doesn't return until the outlet fairy sees fit.

[xrvr]

If that is the outlet wear the micro is supposed to be plugged in then it will not work with the ac on. It also may take a few minutes for it to work after the ac is shut down. That out let will not work for the micro as long as the ac is on. Try turning the ac off and wait a minute and then try the micro. zigzag

[gta289]

Hey zigzag, that was it! Still doesn't go along with what the manual says...but nonetheless now we know! Thanks everyone!

[richinny]

so when is dinner?

[gta289]

Sorry Rickey I can cut the AC off long enough to run the Microwave...its too hot in Alabama. The RV has a CWCare warranty so I think they are planning on getting it checked out just in case.....

[patrickdylan]

Originally Posted by gta289

Hey zigzag, that was it! Still doesn't go along with what the manual says...but nonetheless now we know! Thanks everyone!

FYI, in my '07 interstate manual, the AES description seems to contradict itself:

AES

: This breaker supplies power to the Automatic Energy Selector Switch. The
microwave and roof air conditioner are both wired into this switch. Both appliances
cannot be operated at the same time on the circuit. The AES prioritizes the power to
the roof AC. If the microwave is used, the switch will cut power to the roof AC and
supply power to the microwave. Once the microwave is turned off, power is restored

to the AC.

Seems to me that prioritizing the AC would be what you experienced, not supplying power to the microwave as the manual suggests!

[Condoluminum]

One more try...

The Trailer will cut power to the Microwave outlet whenever the A/C is ON.. It is designed that way, and doesn't care whether Microwave is actually working or not. It kills the outlet. Microwaving requires shutting down A/C... If that is unattractive option, it may be possible to buy small cheap portable Microwave and run it from wall outlet elsewhere in trailer, but that too might blow main breaker if both are turned on at same time...

[gta289]

Below is the direct quote from the manual that came with their 2006 RV (identical to the 2007 & 2008). This is actually printed twice in the manual. I have no issue with the system working as Condoluminum has described, but describe it in the book correctly if that that is is the case. Sure could have save my inlaws a lot of confusion. Like I said before..now they know.

AES: This breaker supplies power to the Automatic
Energy Selector Switch. The microwave and roof air
conditioner are both wired into this switch. Both appliances
cannot be operated at the same time on the
circuit. The AES prioritizes the power to the roof AC. If
the microwave is used, the switch will cut power to the
roof AC and supply power to the microwave. Once the
microwave is turned off, power is restored to the AC

[Lily&Me]

I don't understand what the argument or lack of clarity there is, here. If the AC is on, you can't even turn on the microwave, there is no power to it---ours is completely dark. It takes a few seconds after the AC is turned on for power to restore to the microwave.

[gta289]

"If the microwave is used, the switch will cut power to the
roof AC and supply power to the microwave. Once the
microwave is turned off, power is restored to the AC"

this quote is what confuses people. It is backwards. Ir should read...
If the (AC) is used, the switch will cut power to the
(microwave) and supply power to the (AC). Once the
(AC) is turned off, power is restored to the (microwave).

After speaking to our service department I feel relieved to know that that have been numerous calls on this same question. Regardless, know we know.

[patrickdylan]

I think the confusion is in the interpretation of this sentence:

If the microwave is used, the switch will cut power to the
roof AC and supply power to the microwave

I originally thought that meant that if the AC was ON, starting the microwave would cut power to the AC and run the microwave, as opposed to what you actually have to do, which is turn off the AC and then run the microwave. The operation is not a big deal, but the manual could word that a bit better IMO.