5th wheel electrical problem

[mem5113]

We have been living full time in our 30 ft Rockwood for about 2 years now as we travel and finish building my house. We noticed 2 days ago the 110v lights and microwave are flickering, but the 12v lights are not affected. This is not a 24/7 happening but it is happening many times a day. There are no breakers being tripped. I get my power thru the main box in my workshop main panel. The workshop lights are not affected. Any ideas?

[twinboat]

Feel the plugs, both ends, for heat, thats a sign of bad connections.

Have you pulled the plug and look for arcing on the blades ?

[mem5113]

I have unplugged each of the lamps and plugged them back in checking to see if there was any difference in the flickering.... no difference, I did not see any problems or oxidation on the plug prongs. Also forgot to say in the original post. The gas furnace fan also flickers on and off as the lights.

[450Donn]

Classic signs of low power or momentary interuption. Check your converter. On my fiver when the converter fan came on lights would flicker. Also check your house battery. A bad battery could be drawing max amps thus the flicker when the converter kicks on.

[Spdracr39]

It is going to require you to check the connections starting at the Workshop box breaker for your shore outlet. Make sure all connections are clean and tight. The prongs inside the power cord where it plugs in are also prone to getting hot and losing contact over time. Next follow the cord to your surge/ems if you have one or you main breakers if you don't. Those connections need to be clean and tight. You have a loose or corroded connection somewhere along the line between the shore power outlet and the breaker buss bar. It could be hot, neutral, or ground.

[TXiceman]

First thin to do is power off the RV and inverter if you have one. Open the breaker panel and check every connection for tightness. You may have a loose ground or neutral.

Ken

[mobilemike]

Do what spdracr39 says and do it quickly. RVs burn extremely fast.

Your life is at risk.

[KRum]

Buy one of these to check you AC voltage near the microwave (Lowe’s & Home Depot should have them)

https://www.amazon.com/Walmeck-80-30...S5SFD3RNPJQGM2

[cavie]

Originally Posted by mem5113

We have been living full time in our 30 ft Rockwood for about 2 years now as we travel and finish building my house. We noticed 2 days ago the 110v lights and microwave are flickering, but the 12v lights are not affected. This is not a 24/7 happening but it is happening many times a day. There are no breakers being tripped. I get my power thru the main box in my workshop main panel. The workshop lights are not affected. Any ideas?

1st, you must have a volt meter to work on electric problems. Just looking won't cut it. How many 120 volt lights do you have?

Lights and Microwave will be on separate circuits. You must start at the Shore Power with a meter and work your way back to the RV. Looking for 120 volts to Neutral AND ground. Assuming 30 amp service and no generator here. Take apart the shore power and look there also.

You must take apart EVERY connection in the order I explained. SHORE POWER TO RV BREAKER BOX. Extension cords, everything.

If you have an inverter you must check that also. Check and tighten EVERY connection you come across.

Remove every circuit breaker and look at the contacts. Tighten EVERY screw in the breaker box.

As for the gas furnace fan. That is 12 volts so you have 2 different electric problems. Now you must go thru the same process as before checking any and all 12 volt connections starting at the battery.

I am very interested in your 120 volt lighting????? I'm assuming you are referring to plug in lamps as I had in my 5th wheel bedroom night stands.

[Jayco19]

How can a loose ground on 120vac be causing lights to flicker. That just a safety ground and would not cause that and if it is there a short going on somewhere. Loose neutral or power would cause that. Now on 12vdc loose ground or power can cause problems.