Polarity Tester

[dickiebob]

Where is the best place to pick up a polarity tester for campground use? I have a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter so I could just plug into it with a tester. Any brand name recommendations?

[dickiebob]

Where is the best place to pick up a polarity tester for campground use? I have a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter so I could just plug into it with a tester. Any brand name recommendations?

[bruceh]

I just use one of those $3.99 things that you get at Home Depot etc.

[Ray,IN]

Me too. I like the KISS principle, but a 50A outlet cannot be checked with this tester. I carry a small multimeter for that.

[Jim101]

You mean one of those yellow testers you plug in? Can you use that with the 30 to 20 AMP. plug? I need to know before I try it..

Thanks,

Jim

[dickiebob]

Thanks for suggestions. Will make a trip to Home Depot....one of my favorite places. I also have a multi-meter with me at all times. Never thought about the 50 amp difference, so thanks for that thought. I rarely have to hookup to 50 amp tho I do have adapter from 30 to 50 also.

Thanks again.

[dickiebob]

Jim101.....I used my 30 amp adapter for a couple of months in Minnesota winter a couple of years ago while DW was having a visit at Mayo Clinic. I put my 30 to 20 (15) adapter on the end of my 30 amp cord and plugged into the 20 amp outlet on a main power box which was about 10 feet away. It allowed me to run a small ceramic space heater set on low only for 24 hours a day for heat. Also had a small portable desk fan clipped in front of the heater to move more air. Got down to 9 below a couple of days, but was about 10 above most of the time for lows. Was not too pleasant...slept in two sleeping bags at night. Of course had no water except in a porta potty with antifreeze added.

Our Dalmatian stayed there also...also in a sleeping bag...we were in the country north of Rochester.

Just keep in mind you really have to watch the load. In the summer we have run the air conditioner while hooked up to a 100 foot cord attached to the adapter and 30 amp motorhome cord. Ran the AC on low and kept the frig on propane....no microwave, etc. Had no problems but I wouldn't recommend using AC with hookup like this. The 100 foot cord I use is a 12 wire size for 1500 watt use.

[Jim101]

Thanks for the reply, good information..

Jim

[RV Wizard]

My Surge Guard does all the testing for me while I put room out and not worry about it.

[paz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim101:
You mean one of those yellow testers you plug in? Can you use that with the 30 to 20 AMP. plug? I need to know before I try it..

Thanks,

Jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Jim, you can use the yellow tester directly on a 20 amp circuit, but you need a 15/20 amp (2 prongs plus ground) to 30 amp (angled prongs plus ground) adapter to use it on a 30 amp outlet. Most adapters are 30 amp to 20 amp allowing you to plug your 30 amp RV into a 20 amp outlet, but the adapters that go the other way are available. I got mine at Wal-Mart, but not all stores carry them. They are also available HERE. You want the 15M/30F about halfway down the page.

[Jim101]

OK, I got it now, thanks. Let me ask you one more question. Where I have the MH stored, I have to run a 150' extension cord to the closest 110 plug. Now, when I plug it in the GFI that I am plugging into trips. In the MH I have turned off all the circuit breakers and it still trips, I am just trying to run 110 in the MH and charge the coach batteries, not run the AC. Is it because the extension cord is the kind you use arond the house? 16gauge I think.

Jim

RV Wiz, I have been saving for a Surge Guard, will be having a garage sale this weekend.
Did you get one for a good price?

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Now, when I plug it in the GFI that I am plugging into trips. In the MH I have turned off all the circuit breakers and it still trips, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
A GFCI trip is not caused by your extension cord, unless perhaps the neutral & ground wires have shorted together somewhere in the cord. You can test that easily by using your cord and plugging a table lamp or some other load into the end instead of the coach.

You will, however, suffer a serious voltage drop with that length of cord and only 16 gauge wire. Don't try to pull much current (no more than 10 amps) and test the voltage at the end of the cord to be sure it is at least 108.

More than likely you have something in the coach causing the GFCI to trip. It may be in the coach power cord or the generator transfer switch, or it may even be that the ground and neutral busses in your AC load center are bonded together. They should not be in any RV.

[Jim101]

Gary,

Thanks for the reply. I did plug a small fan into the extension cord and it works.. I turned off all the breakers in the MH and it still trips. I took the MH back to the dealer and he said everything is working. I am beinig told that running 150' of 16 gage wire is the problem,
I just don't know, it seems like it should work.

Jim

[hamguy]

We have a Surge Protector that incorporates a 2.5 Min. delay. During that time, it analyses the voltage range (high and low) and plug polarity. It will NOT pass voltage until is is satisfied the power is ok. Saves considerable hassles and problems..