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Knightly · 03-19-2016, 09:57 PM

The other day I was going to clean out my 10 gallon water heater so turned off the 20 amp C/B on the ac panel. I noticed that my EMS display dropped from 50 amps to 30 amps. I am plugged into 50 amp shore power. Why would the EMS Powerline panel drop from 50 to 30 amps? I had the water heater turned off at the switch. Once I flipped the c/b back on, the EMS panel jumped back up to 50 Amps. Why would the water heater c/b effect the amount of power available at the display panel?

**Lt Dan** · 03-19-2016, 10:45 PM

I had some of the same type issues with my Itasca Sunrise 35A. I turned the water heater off with the circuit breaker and noticed that it did strange things to the EMS. It's been five years, so I don't remember exactly what the issues were, but I do remember that I no longer used the CB to "disarm" the water heater to prevent accidental turn on. It may just be a quirk of the Powerline EMS System as it seems to be sensing that there is 120v and not 240v. I do remember that the current sensor is only on the neutral line in the circuit breaker panel. By turning off a circuit breaker on one side, maybe that was causing it to no longer read 120v on both legs and sensed it only on the opposite side.

If you don't already have it, here is the manual for the EMS that was in my Itasca and I assume that it's the same in yours.

Ranger Smith · 03-20-2016, 04:34 AM

It is probably sensing one of the 50 a legs on that breaker

Knightly · 03-21-2016, 12:15 PM

Lt. Dan & Ranger Smith Thanks for the 2004 EMS manual and suggestions.

I have the same copy of the EMS manual even though my rig is a 2007. Anyway, it appears that Line 1 and Relay 1 are connected. So if I turn off the W/H 20 amp C/B, it disconnects the 50 amp service to the control module.
I am not an electrician so do not understand the logic, however will leave my w/h C/B on all the time from now on, easy fix. Quote "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," unquote. Thanks.