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Coarsegold · 02-20-2021, 03:27 PM

Have 2007 Southwind and the park is only 30amp here. So plugged in last night and my 50 amp coach “smart EMS intellitec” is not so smart it seems. I know there will be reduced service but it seems to be rather odd. Frig,microwave,most lights half the outlets work. No TV front or rear and no water heater, Tried propane for heater but quickly went into lockout. So disconnected shore power and ran propane fine to heat water for showers.

So ems board says 50 amp and green lights for both ac,water heater, and frig.??
I tried to reduce down to 30 but goes right back to 50 using 30/20 button. So bad ems? Bad 30/50 reducer? Electrical is not my strong suit!

Bigd9 · 02-20-2021, 03:35 PM

I had a situation somewhat similar to yours on our last outing. Turned out one of the circuit breakers (washing machine) was still off, and the EMS must look at that circuit to figure out what service you have. When I flipped that breaker on, the EMS immediately started to act normally.

Bigd9 · 02-20-2021, 03:41 PM

Also check to make sure the inverter circuit breakers are not tripped. On my 2006 Discovery they are on the front of the inverter.

The propane water heater uses 12 volts to run the circuit boards, so it should run whether or not you are plugged in. Of course the electric heating element (if your water heater has one) is 110 volts.

Are you sure the shore power is only 30 amps?

What happens when you run the generator? Does everything work ok?

Coarsegold · 02-20-2021, 07:01 PM

Checked and all breakers are good.30 amp is it here and using nearly new adapter.

Coarsegold · 02-22-2021, 02:20 PM

Moved on from there but this likely will be an issue again when I stay at a 30 amp park. Any idea you may have or if you experienced this issue is appreciated.

Old-Biscuit · 02-22-2021, 02:30 PM

Voltmeter.........to check Power Pedestal Receptacle and to troubleshoot downstream

Bigd9 · 02-22-2021, 05:14 PM

I agree with OB on the volt meter. Don't assume just because the 30 to 50 amp pigtail is new it is OK. That would be my first place to check. I would wonder if you hook up to another 30 amp what happens.

Ndrorder · 02-22-2021, 07:01 PM

Check the operating manual for the EMS. They are available at the Intellitec web site if you don't have yours.

For the EMS to function in 50A mode, it has to see 240 volts between L1 and L2 into the coach. Measure the voltage across L1 and L2 on your adapter (the 2 straight slots on each side of the plug) to verify the voltage. If on a 120V 30A circuit, the voltage between L1 and L2 is 0 and if the voltage between each of the side slots and the middle slot is 120V, then the EMS should auto switch to 20/30A operation.

Good luck.

Hooligan · 02-22-2021, 08:02 PM

Here is 30 to 50 adapter. If the internal link between the 2 posts is mis-wired it may give your indications.

azpete · 02-23-2021, 09:57 AM

many parks have lower voltage because of the number of coaches serviced by a single source.
use either a volt meter, or an amp meter to check for power at the post. i have been in vegas in july when there was 90 volts at the post. not enough to run many appliances, if any.
i never run my norcold on electric because i believe low voltage will cause brown marks on the control board. over heating can cause fires.
old parks often have this problem.

Bigd9 · 02-23-2021, 10:50 AM

On a different theme along the same subject, we have been mature (old) campgrounds that advertise 50 amp service, BUT it is really only 30 amp. They install a 50 amp outlet and power it by jumping the one 30 amp hot wire to both hots in a 50 amp outlet. My EMS sees this as only 30 amp because both hots end up being in the same phase.

Here are discussions showing what I mean. Check out post 6 in this following discussion:
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/no-50-amp-307847.html

MSHappyCampers · 02-23-2021, 11:08 AM

Sounds to me like a problem with your dogbone!

Coarsegold · 02-23-2021, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

I agree with OB on the volt meter. Don't assume just because the 30 to 50 amp pigtail is new it is OK. That would be my first place to check. I would wonder if you hook up to another 30 amp what happens.

So I borrowed a friends 30/50 amp adapter and go figure everything works as it should!!!

I never thought a near new adapter could be damaged. I only used it a few times but I do remember now a few years ago when I used it and popped a home breaker and just, I think, blamed it on the small extension cord or 15 amp breaker at my previous home. Not sure, but who knows with electrical things. Thank you for all the ideas and thoughts to consider beyond this issue. Another fix completed.