Community Forums

Workshop · 01-12-2008, 04:10 AM

How do you check your power at the pedestal?

My prior unit has a 30A sevice and used to check for power by using a 30/15 adapter and plugging in a METER and FAULT TESTER. I would then plug the METER into a kitchen outlet to have as a reference of voltage level while connected to the pedestal.

The one time I had 50A service available, I used my digital meter to check for voltages.

Has anyone used a DEVICE like this or something simular to check everything at once.

Or do you just use a meter.

Workshop · 01-12-2008, 04:10 AM

How do you check your power at the pedestal?

My prior unit has a 30A sevice and used to check for power by using a 30/15 adapter and plugging in a METER and FAULT TESTER. I would then plug the METER into a kitchen outlet to have as a reference of voltage level while connected to the pedestal.

The one time I had 50A service available, I used my digital meter to check for voltages.

Has anyone used a DEVICE like this or something simular to check everything at once.

Or do you just use a meter.

Still Working "NOT" · 01-12-2008, 07:21 AM

Never thought about building something like the tester in the device link. Great idea. I mostly use my 50 amp Surge Guard, so that takes care of most problems.

full-timer · 01-12-2008, 08:06 AM

A volt meter works for me.

Joe

ChiefJohn · 01-12-2008, 10:38 AM

We use a Hughes Autoformer which checks the campground power connected. Then I connect my 50amp power cord to the Autoformer. We also have a voltage/cycle meter that monitors our system continuously. For you electrical gurus, do I need to take any additional precautions?

Still Working "NOT" · 01-12-2008, 12:54 PM

John

Nope, the Autoformer does everything to protect your rig unless lightning hits then nothing will work to protect the rig. Plus lightning does many strange things that you will find out about later.

sfischer · 01-12-2008, 12:54 PM

Since I don't have a Hughes Autoformer, I won't pretend to know if the following is correct, but it's my understanding that you'll still need another device to protect against surge and spikes. Yes, I know that the Hughes website says "spike and surge protection", but I don't see any hard technical numbers associated with that claim, so I believe that the autoformer's main "claim to fame" is its' ability to boost up low voltage.

RV Wizard · 01-13-2008, 01:19 AM

I won't plug in without a Surge Guard. I have seen too many instances where the pedastal was wired wrong or lost neutral connections and thosands of dollars of damage resulted. Check them out. For the price of most insurance deductables you can buy a 50 amp model and not have to worry about wiring, high or low voltage problems again. The Surge Guard will not help you in a voltage situation like the Hughes Autoformer by boosting the incoming low voltage to a possible usable one. In this case I would just start my generator if needed.