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Old 02-18-2013, 06:40 PM   #1
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Checking power pedestal question

In the past with my 30amp Class C coach I would insert a 30 to 15 amp adapter into the pedestal outlet then plug in a circuit tester. Its a yellow device with a standard 3 prong plug, amd has several lights indicating properly wired outlet. Now that I have a 50 amp coach, can I use a 50 to 30 amp adapter, then a 30 to 15 adapter, and then plug in the tester? Would this work to indicate proper wiring of the 50 amp outlet?

Thanks, Ken
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Old 02-18-2013, 06:46 PM   #2
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In the short..... NO. It will only pick up on 1 leg of the 50 amp service. Best to get a volt meter and learn to use it.
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Old 02-18-2013, 07:09 PM   #3
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I suggest a PRogressive Industries EMS. It will do it for you.
Saved me $3500 in the first month due to power surge. $3500 is what it cost my neighbor.
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Old 02-18-2013, 07:15 PM   #4
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A previous poster led me to the following link that shows how to make a tester that will check for proper wiring and voltage on 50a pedestals.

50-amp Tester
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Old 02-18-2013, 07:15 PM   #5
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In the short..... NO. It will only pick up on 1 leg of the 50 amp service. Best to get a volt meter and learn to use it.
Thanks that's what I thought. I have a volt meter and somewhere I saved a diagram of the correct voltages for the legs of a 50 amp outlet. I appreciate the advice of another poster to get a surge guard, it's on the list when budget allows.
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Old 02-18-2013, 08:36 PM   #6
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I suggest a PRogressive Industries EMS.
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Old 02-18-2013, 09:29 PM   #7
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Quote:
can I use a 50 to 30 amp adapter, then a 30 to 15 adapter,
In any case, the normal adaptors we use to run a 50 amp coach off a 15 amp outlet are going in the wrong direction to be able to check a 50 amp outlet using a 15 amp tester - so buying a meter would be cheaper than buying a set of adaptors
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Old 02-18-2013, 09:50 PM   #8
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Progressive Industries would be my first choice. Mine has saved me twice now. Multimeter would be my second choice.
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Old 02-18-2013, 10:04 PM   #9
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Progressive Industries would be my first choice. Mine has saved me twice now. Multimeter would be my second choice.
Ditto
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Old 02-23-2013, 09:25 AM   #10
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I made a box similar to the one in the artiicle linked by phinneyj. In my case I only used a single duplex outlet and a 50 amp dryer cord. Each of the outlets is wired to one hot leg.

In our case rather than use the voltage meter and circuit testers I plug a "Good Governor" circuit tester into each outlet before attaching the RV power cord to the pedestal.

Digital Line Monitor - Technology Research Corp M20020 - Surge Protectors - Camping World

The Good Governor gives the voltage and wiring check just like the one in the article. It also checks the frequency (hertz) of the incomming current. This may not be important in most locations, but it came in very handy when traveling through remote parts of Canada. Many of the more remote campgrounds aren't hooked to the grid, but rather supply power via their own generators. We found several in our travels that had low cycle rates (45 - 50 cycles per second).

In the US motors are usually wound to operate on 60 cycles per second. The lower the cycle rates they run on the more heat they produce. It's easy to burn out a microwave or other normal household appliance by running it at too low a cycle rate.
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Old 02-23-2013, 10:00 AM   #11
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I got these 2 items for checking the pedestal:



Everyone should carry something to check both polarity and voltages of all receptacles (20 a, 30 a, and 50 a) Read you manual on how to do this.
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Old 02-23-2013, 10:38 AM   #12
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Tweety's sells a 50 amp testing device for polarity. $100.00. However if your coach is not equipped with an EMS system as suggested go with Progeessive Energy. It will save you many headaches and dollars!
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Old 02-23-2013, 10:41 AM   #13
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Tweety's sells a 50 amp testing device for polarity. $100.00. However if your coach is not equipped with an EMS system as suggested go with Progeessive Energy. It will save you many headaches and dollars!
X2. You won't regret it.
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Old 02-23-2013, 02:00 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by phinneyj View Post
A previous poster led me to the following link that shows how to make a tester that will check for proper wiring and voltage on 50a pedestals.

50-amp Tester
Jeff, for us electrician-types, this tester is really neat! Cudo's to whomever figured it out. I think I'm gonna build one

Of course the Fluke meter will do it all too, assuming you know which holes to poke the test leads into and interpret what the meter's telling you.
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