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Old 09-13-2020, 10:18 PM   #1
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Electrical Problem

When we plug into 30 or 50 amp there is a clicking in the electrical compartment and the the lights in motor home have a slight flicker. Any suggestions. Seems to work fine when plugged into 120 v outlet with extension cord.
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Old 09-13-2020, 10:33 PM   #2
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Often the lights in the rig are 12 volt and powered through the inverter. Have you checked the condition of your batteries?
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Old 09-14-2020, 03:58 AM   #3
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When you put external AC power to your MH the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) is activated. You normally hear a click when that engages Your converter/inverter also has a transfer switch. When 120Vac is provided to the inverter/converter the inverter is usually taken out of service via its internal ATS, but the converter remains connected to the batteries for continious charging as required. Unless your batteries are at the same voltage as the output of the converter, you might see a change in DC voltage for a very slight moment by a slight flicker in your lights. (Batteries serve as a very effective load filter and you may only see a slight ripple on a sensitive instrument or perhaps on an LED bulb.

Your question however relates to only seeing this flicker when connected to a 15A external source. The transfer switches must work the same way on any power source transfer so I am at a bit of a loss as to why this is only noticed when you connected via a higher current rated source, 120Vac should be a constant unless it is not. If you are using smaller gauge wire for the 15A service and the load is 15A, the voltage may not be 120V due to line loss, If this is the case there would be less voltage delta to the converter thus lower voltage to the batteries causing less ripple,

Suggest you take voltage readings under different scenarios to determine if voltages are the same using 30/50 &15A power sources and if you have a clamp on current meter it could provide more useful data,

In addition to basic Volt & Current measurements, I would put my oscilloscope on the DC line but most folks don't have one of these more sophisticated instruments, but simple voltage measurements alone should give you more data than you have right now,

Good luck - I hope I provided useful information.

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Old 09-14-2020, 01:49 PM   #4
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Just a thought: You say you get the flicker when plugged in to 30amp or 50amp 110vAC shore power but not when connected via an extension cord to a 15amp(?) 110v source.

Year and model of your coach would help; also the model of inverter you have. When you connect to 30 or 50amp 110 volt shore power the inverter may be charging your house batteries at a higher rate than when you are connected to a 15amp source. Many inverters "detect" the rating of the source to which they are connected but can be set so they always charge as if they're on a 15amp shore power. You will need to check your inverter manual and try to make that change. Depending on the results you get someone with a similar coach and inverter may be able to help you from there.
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Old 09-20-2020, 12:30 PM   #5
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I would take voltage measurements across the batteries with and without shore power or generator and with your extension cord.

Post pictures and readings.

You may have an EMS panel that sheds your converter charging while on an extension cord. Without the converter on your 12 volt power to the lights would be pure DC and no AC ripple coming from the converter.

If you batteries have not been maintained properly they cannot smooth out the ripples. Check them for water of course and the condition of the connections.
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