Community Forums

Cubey · 08-07-2013, 11:01 AM

Well, my dogbone adapter is new so *I* should be ok. My cord connections are also new and in good conditon. Plus I am pulling less than 20A since I ran this van on 20A house breakers (did for about a month on 16 gauge, 15A cords with AC running, I just kept an eye on the connections and made sure they weren't getting hot. The van never tripped any house breakers in 2 different houses I've had it plugged into with my roof AC & 1.7 cu ft dorm fridge running.

That plus my laptop & cell phone charger is all I really use on 120V. My solar panels keep my batteries recharged so I don't even have my RV converter plugged in right now. My lighting is 12V led and sometimes I run 12V fans for extra air circulation.

And unless you go check the outlets before you pay up, you won't know what you're getting. And too, being paranoid about who you are parked next to is silly. So you might be safe with no one next to you when you drive in.... but then 2 RVs might come in after you and be the unsafest in the world... in late model, 6 figure RVs (much like the one in the original post.. haha) but you won't even know it until it's burst into flames.

So... I say good luck to you too.

Ramblin · 08-07-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cubey

This spot I'm at has a 60A breaker and the manager refers to it as 50A since it has a 50A outlet...

This is a fire hazard, and violates code. In your 30A camper, you're not very likely to demand enough current to be a problem. In fact, unless your camper has a fault you won't be able to because your 30A breaker will pop long before you cause a problem at the pedestal.

Cubey · 08-07-2013, 02:09 PM

Photo of the "50A" hookup I have at the Texarkana KOA with a 60A breaker, in the rear area where they put monthly people, mixed in with mobile homes.

bruceisla · 08-07-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveclv

Well, what do you think??

Hate to beat a dead horse but I've seen this picture (and the entire text) a few times ... this picture doesn't show that the burned portion was centered in a NEARLY FULL spool ... and it was a machine wrapped full spool that was being used as an extension cord. In other words it was too long a cord and too tightly wrapped. The meltdown was actually caused by high current and the inability of the coil to dissipate the heat because of inadequate air space.

In other words, it's the dreaded "extension cord that is way too long, undersized, placed under a rug, and running 1000 lights for Christmas".

This was found to be NOT an induction issue ... although it didn't help.

steveclv · 08-07-2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

This was found to be NOT an induction issue ... although it didn't help.

That's silly, anything that contributed to a heat build up in the coiled wire was part of the cause - be it resistive heat, induction heating or ambient air temperature.

The inductive effect that has probably been discussed to death over the last 10 pages generates HEAT - nothing else that is a problematic, just heat. So the fact that the wire melted due to a HEAT build up, probably caused by too much current AND too tight a coil which generated additional inductive heat kinda reinforces the discussion so far.

bruceisla · 08-07-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveclv

That's silly, anything that contributed to a heat build up in the coiled wire was part of the cause - be it resistive heat, induction heating or ambient air temperature.

The inductive effect that has probably been discussed to death over the last 10 pages generates HEAT - nothing else that is a problematic, just heat. So the fact that the wire melted due to a HEAT build up, probably caused by too much current AND too tight a coil which generated additional inductive heat kinda reinforces the discussion so far.

Hey ... it's your motorhome ... do whatever you like.

jerichorick · 08-07-2013, 04:41 PM

WoW!!! Don't yea just love KOA? It might be a good invention to build a dogbone with a 30A breaker built in. Would certainly help at that KOA!

I avoid KOA's for many reasons. This one just adds to the list.

Keep practicing good electrical maintenance; burnish the prong of your plug, use dielectric grease sparingly and exercise the breaker to your outlet. Then keep an eye and finger on the connections (for heat). I have had breakers get warm to hot when they were at the end of life.

Bart Anderson · 08-07-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cubey

Photo of the "50A" hookup I have at the Texarkana KOA with a 60A breaker, in the rear area where they put monthly people, mixed in with mobile homes.

That setup is against Many NEC codes and should be reported to code enforcement before someone dies

Ramblin · 08-07-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart anderso

That setup is against Many NEC codes and should be reported to code enforcement before someone dies

Besides the open panel spaces being covered with duct tape, the at-risk components are the outlet and the short piece of wire leading to the outlet, and of course your plug that is plugged in there. They are at risk of being subjected to 60A of current when they are only rated for 50A. Theoretically, they could burn up if more than 50A was being used from that outlet. But (assuming good 60A breaker), could only be subjected to 60A max. I don't know how long a 50A rated outlet will endure 60A before it melts, but I bet it would not be very fast.

Since the most a MH will draw is 50A before ITS breaker pops, there would have to be several things go wrong before a catastrophic failure (fire) would occur, so the risk is relatively low.

As far as using it for my own coach, I wouldn't hesitate as long as it passed my inspection. Would be interesting to know if this is a quick fix to a single pedestal, or if they all look like that.

The main risk of death here is the duct-tape covered open holes. Someone could accidentally poke their fingers thru and get electrocuted.

All that being said, you are right, this is in violation of code, is dangerous, and should be fixed. I would bring it to the CG owner's attention and get a feel for his willingness to fix it. If I didn't feel like he was going to address it, I may take further measures.

Winepress · 08-07-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cubey

Photo of the "50A" hookup I have at the Texarkana KOA with a 60A breaker, in the rear area where they put monthly people, mixed in with mobile homes.

That photo of the cord and 60 amp breaker sure looks like a 30 amp cord and plug?

gemini5362 · 08-07-2013, 11:50 PM

Make it like a fraction then easy to remember

E
___

I R

tells you everything you need to know. E= Voltage , I = Currant, R= Resistance

E= IR
I= E/r
R=E/I
now is that not easy

jerichorick · 08-10-2013, 06:37 AM

P=EI or I squared R. Power and it's derivatives is the problem here. Voltage or resistance alone will not cause heat. Resistance or impedance will when current flow is involved (I).

In the case of a fire, the power dissipation rate is greater than that of the failed component, or the component is dissipating heat at a lesser rate than it is designed for. Where plugs and receptacles are concerned heat should be minimal of course.

I have had 17 to 20 thousand volts off the end of my knuckle. I am still here to tell you about it. But just 90 milliamps of current will kill the average person under the correct conditions. Power is always the factor to consider.

So, how about them Red Sox?

HD4Mark · 08-21-2013, 05:07 AM

Thought I would add this to this thread.

Yesterday I brought our coach back to the house after having some routine service done. I thought since it was unplugged this would be a good time to "shine up" the connectors on the cords. I have a 30A connection on our garage to plug into mainly to keep the batteries charged. Took some emery cloth to the 30A extension cord and the "dog bone" 50 to 30 adapter. Shoved it in the female plug as good as possible, the male ends cleaned up nice.

After I was done and it was all connected the inverter/charger clicked on and off like it did not have a good connection. Unplugged it again and started checking connections. The female end of the extension cord would not make a tight connection. I used another one I had and bingo, no problem. There is no reason the worn or defective cord could not have arced and cause a fire so check your connections closely.

bruceisla · 08-21-2013, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

Thought I would add this to this thread.

Yesterday I brought our coach back to the house after having some routine service done. I thought since it was unplugged this would be a good time to "shine up" the connectors on the cords. I have a 30A connection on our garage to plug into mainly to keep the batteries charged. Took some emery cloth to the 30A extension cord and the "dog bone" 50 to 30 adapter. Shoved it in the female plug as good as possible, the male ends cleaned up nice.

After I was done and it was all connected the inverter/charger clicked on and off like it did not have a good connection. Unplugged it again and started checking connections. The female end of the extension cord would not make a tight connection. I used another one I had and bingo, no problem. There is no reason the worn or defective cord could not have arced and cause a fire so check your connections closely.

I've switched to one of these from Progressive Industries: