Very temporary power cut-out

[The Danes Are Coming]

On the last 3 RV sites that we have visited we have experienced very short power cut-outs, and because this has happened on 3 different RV sites, we assume that this is down to our RV rather than a campground faulty power supply.

What happens is this: Power will disappear for a fraction of a second and then return. It happens at a time where we have a 50 amp connection and not having loaded this with any more than say 5 or 7 amps max.

As mentioned, the power disappears for a fraction of a second. That means that everything comes back straight away, except the DirectTv box that will now start to reset itself (very annoying in the middle of your favourite program BTW).

We have a hard-wired Progressive surge protector in our rig and this doesn't disconnect our electric supply when the fall-out appears.

Could this be down to a inverter malfunction? Is the inverter "in charge" of the 110V supply to the effect that a malfunction here would cause a fall out as described?

[KIX]

The inverter usually will only control certain but not all circuits. So my guess is that it's not the inverter.
My best guess is that you have a loose neutral connection somewhere. I found one recently inside my ATS. With inverter off and shore power disconnected you could tighten every electrical connection in the ATS and power distribution panel including the breaker outputs. Tightening these connections is a periodic maintenance task.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Thx KIX

I will get my spanner out and see what I can find, but it may be a "tall order" for an electrical idiot like myself.

Fortunately I will have good friends from England over on a visit next week, and as it happens he is a former electrician in the BBC. I think I may put him to work once the jet-lag is gone.

Happycarz works for cookies - my friend works for red wine

[KIX]

Pretty easy to tighten all the lugs.......even a caveman can do it.
Just make certain all electrical is discoed then remove panel covers and tighten the screws that hold the wires in the connection. There are 4 wires in 50 amp circuits. green = ground, red = 120 volt, black = 120 volt and white = neutral. My guess is your problem is with the white connections. Ignoring this issue can lead to electrical shock.....don't put this off.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Took the lid off the ATS (automatic transfer switch).

Everything looks good (no scorched connections) and none of the connections could be tightened any further.

Problem must be lying somewhere else.

[KIX]

Have you checked all the connections inside the shore power distribution panel?

[BCooke]

Sounded like connections as I read it also. Either at supressor or circuit breaker panel. Last bad cord.... good luck finding that if it is. Tighten all screws while unplugged, a little better than snug.
Oh yea, have seen bad connection at main breaker also.

["007"]

Have you checked the load center connections inside coach?

[Arch Hoagland]

Are you seeing any fault codes on the Progressive Surge protector?

Open neutral and open ground conditions are supposed to be detected by that unit according to their webpage info. Are any codes displayed by the microprocessor readout panel?

If you don't find anything obvious I would suggest wiring around the surge protector and see if the problem disappears.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" Have you checked the load center connections inside coach?

Not yet, but this is my next move.

Would a lose connection in one of my 110V sockets cause the same problem?

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland Are you seeing any fault codes on the Progressive Surge protector? Open neutral and open ground conditions are supposed to be detected by that unit according to their webpage info. Are any codes displayed by the microprocessor readout panel? If you don't find anything obvious I would suggest wiring around the surge protector and see if the problem disappears.

No fault codes are displayed at the surge protector and the brief lack of power doesn't trip it ( it doesn't reset itself).

[puttin]

I just want to clarify...The three rv sites are all in separate rv parks, right? If not, have you checked with anyone else close by? Second, if everything in the rig is affected, the problem must be very close to the output of the surge protector, or between that point and the main panel. Also, do you have an e.m.s? It may be possible that it's malfunctioning-although I think this would be way down the list of possibilities.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by puttin I just want to clarify...The three rv sites are all in separate rv parks, right? If not, have you checked with anyone else close by? Second, if everything in the rig is affected, the problem must be very close to the output of the surge protector, or between that point and the main panel. Also, do you have an e.m.s? It may be possible that it's malfunctioning-although I think this would be way down the list of possibilities.

Yes - 3 seperate parks, and no one else I spoke to had noticed any problems.

Yes - everything is effected at the same time. Everything disappears at the same time and only very very brief.

Yes - I have got a "Smart EMS" by Intellitec.

[Triker56]

It is more then a short brief cut off, if the DirecTV receiver goes through a reset.

Where I am at there are a few short cut offs 2-3 times a week. Only thing they affect is the front TV will shut off and has to be restarted. The DirecTV attached to it comes back on and still working.

The DirecTV does go through a reset if power is off long enough to put the surge guard into it's 2 minute reset mode. Also then the Micro clock & coffee maker clock need to be reset when power comes back. But never after the quick shut offs.