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08-04-2016, 06:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,816
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Public service Announcement
Check your electrical connections regularly and never ignore a hot plastic smell.
We've been in hot humid weather for a couple summers, which will tax your coaches electrical system. For some reason I manage to put of check the electrical connections on my surge protector.
We left the Dallas area on Tuesday afternoon 105˚ with high humidity, while putting my power cord in it's bay I noticed a hot smell. I looked everything over, but didn't wiggle or put a screw driver on any of the cable connections. We were running the genny with all 3 AC units working to keep everything nice and cool.
200 miles later we got a strong burning smell. I quickly pulled off to the side and noticed the genny pulling no amps. We shut everything down and this is what I found:
Luckily it shut down before anything serious happen. I carry a spare and after a change out in a parking lot all was good.
Still scared the heck out of us.
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2011 MVP Tahoe 230 QB on Ford E350 Chassis
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08-04-2016, 07:25 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 472
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WOW!
But very glad your safe.........
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Al
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08-04-2016, 07:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 450
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You make a strong case for making a good thorough check whenever something seems strange or wrong.
Glad you found the problem without having serious consequences and that you are alright.
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2004 DutchStar DSDP3812, Cummins ISL 370Hp, Spartan MM Chassis, 2017 Chev Equinox toad, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar, FMCA #F451747 
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08-04-2016, 07:54 PM
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#4
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Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cabot AR
Posts: 51
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You carry a spare? Wow! I have the old one from my HR and was considering selling it. Guess not after reading this. Thanks!
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Michael & Jeannie West, Cabot, AR
'07 Newmar MADP 4528 w/ 2012 GMC Terrain toad
Practicin' for Retirement
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08-04-2016, 07:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,469
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John, are you saying that your surge protector is on the coach side of the transfer switch so it is active when the generator is running? I have mine on the input side so it only works from the pedestal, not the generator.
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John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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08-04-2016, 08:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,459
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John, as John asked, it would be good to understand your wiring setup/diagram. I've always been partial to an external/post mounted surge protector. If it ever actually burst into flames it would be outside the coach.
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Gary 2021 NH Majestic
Ram 5500 with Bodywerks bed
Box Elder, SD and the road
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08-04-2016, 08:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 421
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My AC draws 14.9 amps max. Running three at once would be nearly 45 amps, or almost the full capacity of the surge protector you have (50 amps). Although it should be able to handle that current, it's never a good idea to push this stuff for a long time.
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08-04-2016, 08:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,816
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma
John, are you saying that your surge protector is on the coach side of the transfer switch so it is active when the generator is running? I have mine on the input side so it only works from the pedestal, not the generator.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaynes754
John, as John asked, it would be good to understand your wiring setup/diagram. I've always been partial to an external/post mounted surge protector. If it ever actually burst into flames it would be outside the coach.
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Yes, if the genny spikes it can surge just like a pedestal.
Don't forget to check the wires on the transfer switch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alvo
My AC draws 14.9 amps max. Running three at once would be nearly 45 amps, or almost the full capacity of the surge protector you have (50 amps). Although it should be able to handle that current, it's never a good idea to push this stuff for a long time.
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50 amp coaches are 50 amp at 240 volts. The coach breaks this into 100 amps at 120 volts. Everything in it is designed for this, including the surge protector.
A loose wire is going to create a problem even at 14.9 amps.
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2011 MVP Tahoe 230 QB on Ford E350 Chassis
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08-04-2016, 08:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Official iRV2 Sponsor
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alvo
My AC draws 14.9 amps max. Running three at once would be nearly 45 amps, or almost the full capacity of the surge protector you have (50 amps). Although it should be able to handle that current, it's never a good idea to push this stuff for a long time.
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No, the surge protector is rated at 50A on EACH of the two legs of the hookup. The 3 A/Cs are drawing ~45 amps which, no doubt, is split between the two legs with two A/Cs on one and one on the other. The load is nowhere near the rating of the surge protector.
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Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
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08-05-2016, 12:14 PM
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#10
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,080
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John....I thought I was anal, but carrying two surge protectors!!! This makes me feel more normal and maybe I can reduce my meds! 
As part of any yearly service, it's always a good idea to disconnect all power and go through all of the large connections with a screwdriver. Take the cover off of the 110 breakers in the coach and tighten all of the connections. especially the grounds. Rolling down the road can really shake things loose.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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08-05-2016, 12:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,449
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On the factory side to boot  , on my way to the coach NOW with screwdriver in hand.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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08-05-2016, 01:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Posts: 414
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John, I had a similar thing happen to us. The house lights began to flicker, so I went out to the coach (which was plugged into the house) to check the progressive ems to see if it might show what was gong on. Imagine my surprise when I opened the electric bay door and smoke began pouring out! I disconnected the electric, shut off the batteries and inverter, and found the transfer switch was fried. It appears a lug was loose. Regular checks on all lugs now!
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2017 DSDP 4054 Spartan Chassis
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08-05-2016, 07:05 PM
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#13
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RV Nut
Newmar Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,932
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaynes754
John, as John asked, it would be good to understand your wiring setup/diagram. I've always been partial to an external/post mounted surge protector. If it ever actually burst into flames it would be outside the coach.
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^^^^^^^ That ^^^^^^
It's nice to know all is OK at the pedestal before plugging in. I also don't like the idea of adding more points of failure inside my MH.
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
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2015 Newmar Ventana 4037 - All Electric
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon TOAD
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08-05-2016, 08:22 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Posts: 856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newmarpusher
^^^^^^^ That ^^^^^^
It's nice to know all is OK at the pedestal before plugging in. I also don't like the idea of adding more points of failure inside my MH.
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
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Everyone has their own view of what's safe and what equipment they want to protect with a surge protector. Like PDR John I have my Surge Guard wired in after the transfer switch. I want my Surge Guard to protect all the inside electronics from not only a malfunction in pedestal power but also a generator malfunction. There's no reason to believe that a generator is fool proof and will never malfunction. Wiring it in after the transfer switch puts the transfer switch at risk. But I would rather sacrifice the transfer switch than all the inside electronics due to a generator malfunction.
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2008 Nash 25S
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