Community Forums

jzick · 10-04-2012, 06:07 PM

This one has me baffled. Our motorhome, like many, has 110V plugs on the curb side in several locations and 2 on the driver's side, one in the bedroom and one at the dinette. We use a Progressive power management (portable) with the 50A power. Yesterday, we were at an rv park and, when plugged into shore power, the outlet at the dinette would recharge computers, run light bulbs, radio, run the toaster, operate a portable television and an electric clock. Two pieces of medical equipment (an oxygen generator and atomizer) that use electric motors, however, would not run. Current measured 121V at outlet (meter) and the Progressive unit and another meter I have did not show any circuit problems. I turned off circuit breakers and reset them, checked gfci circuits, and checked current at the pedestal with a meter. I did not check to see if the same problem happened on generator power as we were on our way to our winter home the next day and figured I would look more closely there. I simply used another outlet for the electric motors.

Tonight we stopped at another campground and the problem has disappeared. Everything works just fine at the problem outlet, including the two devices with electric motors. Any thoughts on what might have happened, or more importantly, can I expect it to happen again or get worse?

djbmsu · 10-04-2012, 06:21 PM

If it happened again at a different CC, Then I would be concerned. If not I would charge it off to a glitch at that CC

chuckftboy · 10-04-2012, 08:43 PM

A bad or loose connection at the power pole might show good voltage with no load or even a light load like a light bulb or small charger. When a heaver load like a motor is plugged in the volatge could drop due to the higher current draw of a motor. like Djbmsu said, if it didn't happen at the next camp ground, probably nothing to worry about.

jmarmor · 10-04-2012, 08:49 PM

My wife an I refer that to the usual LWS. Loose wire syndrome. An RV regular bug

RV Wizard · 10-05-2012, 02:25 AM

Almost all receptacles used in RV's with the exception of the GFI are cheap, press in piercing type connections and fail easily or can be intermittent. Even the GFI's are not installed the way I would, by wrapping the conductors around the screw terminals but are pressed into the back side which is not as good a connection; especially for heavier loads. I would suggest you check these receptacles and change them out to a snap in box and new 20 amp rated screw terminal installed receptacles. Good luck and keep us posted.

boweavel · 10-05-2012, 04:25 AM

unless the problem was in all of your outlets the the power pole was not the cause and most likley in that one outlet. and a loose connection sounds promising

Russ50 · 10-05-2012, 08:25 AM

Seems like the outlet is just wore from useing so much from it, I would replace the outlet an make sure the wires are in good shape, Outlets do go bad time after time,,

luvlabs · 10-05-2012, 11:49 AM

Your Progressive unit is only sampling the incoming power to the coach. Whatever happens after that is due to the internal wiring in the coach. If you don't have one, go out and buy yourself a simple 115V circuit tester (it's yellow and has three lights on it) and, if you feel comfortable using it, a multi-meter. You can then test the power on that side of the coach and see if things really are a problem or not. Without testing, it's just a crap shoot as to what might be happening.

teddyu · 10-05-2012, 12:05 PM

Don't know what type or year unit you have, but I've noodled this some. The only thing that has changed was you location. From what I gather, your progressive ems said both legs were good and you checked the pedestal. My guess is that you may have an ATS that did not make good contact on one line. The moving and shaking allowed the contactor faces to seat better, therfore the problem goes away. If this happens again I'd check the contact faces for burning/pitting. Just my thoughts on the subject. JM2¢...