50amp/30amp

[RVBaby]

I have been reading about electrical service at campgrounds and the motor home using 50 or 30 amp service. I learned that it is very important to "test" the campground plug to be sure it is wired correctly in order to avoid the neutral effect which will overload some of the appliances causing damage and possibly fire? Can anyone tell me if this is a subject I should get well acquainted with? As a newby I don't want to make any serious mistakes and this issue sounds serious. Also assuming the service does not pass the "test" what does one do for electricity. Any thoughts out there?

2002 Damon Intruder

[KIX]

About 7 or 8 years ago I built a tester to test for correct wiring on either 30 or 50 amp supply. Since then I've only found one place that was not wired correctly. I moved to another site that time. We typically stay at mid to upper price range CGs. Although a wiring problem can happen anywhere it doesn't seem to happen much where we stay.

IMHO I think getting familiar with how to use a volt/ohm meter will be of infinite value to you during your RV adventures.

[fastcat]

I agree that at the very least you should use a volt/ohm meter to test the pedestal. Always make sure the breaker on the pedestal is off BEFORE plugging in.

I have a 50 amp outlet wired in my RV bay at home that I know for certain is wired correctly and I still turn off the breaker first.

If you're only spending a night, or just never use a lot of power, and don't get a good reading on the 50 amp, you should still be able to use the 15/20 amp side of the pedestal.

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

KIX is certainly right about learning enough about the subject to be able to use a multi meter to ensure proper wiring. However, even at that, your rig can be subjected to power surges, low/high voltages which can cause damage.

I chose to go the route of installing a hard wired surge protector system. When I plug in to any pedestal, there is a two minute delay while my surge protector checks out the line voltage and makes sure that everything with the pedestal is working properly. Only then does it allow the power to pass through to the coach. It also protects against surges (lightning) and low/high voltage while we're hooked up.

Best of luck.

Rick

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by RickO

Hi and welcome to the forum.

KIX is certainly right about learning enough about the subject to be able to use a multi meter to ensure proper wiring. However, even at that, your rig can be subjected to power surges, low/high voltages which can cause damage.

I chose to go the route of installing a hard wired surge protector system. When I plug in to any pedestal, there is a two minute delay while my surge protector checks out the line voltage and makes sure that everything with the pedestal is working properly. Only then does it allow the power to pass through to the coach. It also protects against surges (lightning) and low/high voltage while we're hooked up.

Best of luck.

Rick

X2 on the EMS. Here is one that is hard to beat:

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/

[Pepper2]

Our MH is 30a. I bought a 30a plug that i attached to a 20a splitter plug. I bought a volt meter that has a 20a plug in on it and one of those circuit testers that have three lights. Plug the meter and tester into the splitter then plug that into the 30a plug. Turn off the breaker, plug in your odd looking contraption, turn breaker on, check readings. I leave this "thing" hooked together in my electrical bay. Quick and easy. By the way, I could only find the volt meter with a 20a plug in at the local CW.

[GaryKD]

Hi RVBaby,
Consider purchasing a surge protector. For me, I am not looking for more things to add to the "to do" list. Checking the CG pedestal at every CG is a PITA. A surge protector does this for you.

[gutsgolf]

We had to leave our MH at a CG for a couple of days . Older CG but seemed ok. When we got back I found the manager had unhooked our power. He said the plug was not working right. He had me hooked up to 110 with an orange extension!!!!!
I feel we were lucky only cost about $400 to get to normal. Lessons are some thing we pay for without a place like this forum to help.

[vsheetz]

As commented by others, it's highly recommended to get a power protection unit (not just a surge protector). I have the EMS-PT30C. Works great - will not pass errant voltage, improper grounding, etc. to you RV.

[Mr_D]

I guess I must live a charmed life, been RV'ing since 1957, have never damaged an electrical component in all that time. I've never checked the power coming in either.

[CampDaven]

Progressive Industries saved me at least $3500 in the first month. Lightning strike. Neighbor lost $3500 in electronics etc. I lost power for 2 minutes.
Bullets are fun to dodge

[RickO]

Originally Posted by gutsgolf

We had to leave our MH at a CG for a couple of days . Older CG but seemed ok. When we got back I found the manager had unhooked our power. He said the plug was not working right. He had me hooked up to 110 with an orange extension!!!!!
I feel we were lucky only cost about $400 to get to normal. Lessons are some thing we pay for without a place like this forum to help.

What happened to cause that much damage???

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I guess I must live a charmed life, been RV'ing since 1957, have never damaged an electrical component in all that time. I've never checked the power coming in either.

Never any surge protection either?

Rick

[BFlinn181]

I also wouldn't hook up without the Progressive 50 amp EMS hard wired in the coach. It won't come on when the wiring or electricity is out of range. It also has a surge protector and timer to protect A/C compressors when it restarts. Besides all that, when I had a problem with my EMS, Progressive has been wonderfully patient talking me through troubleshooting and shipping replacement parts at no charge. Couldn't ask for better service!

[TdogKing]

Since I retired and out and about lots more I bought a Surge Protector, going with the "better safe than sorry theory"