Community Forums

Dodge Guy · 06-28-2022, 04:57 AM

I still haven’t read where he started the generator to see if it has the same missing voltage!

Cpl Ed · 06-28-2022, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

I still haven’t read where he started the generator to see if it has the same missing voltage!

See post #8

YogiBearMD. · 07-02-2022, 09:22 AM

Sorry for the long delay. The repair shop did get my motor home in. After 1 week they confirmed (90% sure ???) at this point that it is the Inverter that is the problem. So we had to wait for the new Inverter to arrive. YEA June 30 !! it is in. Now I go back in line with all the other RV's ( I did a quick count of units waiting in the lot, 95% are class A motorhomes Just an observation). July 11 at 8 am I take her back in. Some good news Progressive Industries shipped a brand new replacement EMS-PTX50X surge protector last week. My extended warranty coverage did cover some of the diagnostics and the replacement cost of the inverter (less $500 deductible) which helps a bunch! Once the inverter is replaced and I know all appliances are functioning at 100% I will finally relax.
Our July 6th departure 2-month trip is now being reworked?? With current diesel prices perhaps we wait another month or two?

dssl · 07-02-2022, 06:52 PM

Check the voltages at the automatic transfer switch. Some transfer switches have a built in surge protector. My guess is the problem is in your transfer switch on one of the legs. The transfer switch feeds the main 120v circuit panel, so if you have voltage at the transfer switch output then that would imply a 50 amp main breaker being bad.

With a lightning strike on the power, the transfer switch often needs to be replaced, and then unfortunately you often find other problems once you get that fixed.

Sounds like you had several layers of protection which hopefully minimized any damage, assuming that it is really is a lightning surge.

YogiBearMD. · 07-20-2022, 02:40 PM

Final Chapter in a very long story! The motorhome is now back in my RV Port as of Monday!!! The combination of issues with getting the inverter delivered as promised. A wait list of other owners who have still waiting for months for their inverters to come, I was fortunate that it did not take as long as some others. After all the testing was done the only damage was the inverter and the 350V fuse!! All appliances are good!! Thank you to everyone who offer their support and suggestions. We leave Friday for a two-month vacation!

Arch Hoagland · 07-20-2022, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the update, glad to hear all is well !

Have a good trip, you deserve it.

FloridaSon · 07-21-2022, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YogiBearMD.

the only damage was the inverter and the 350V fuse

One question: Any idea why the PI surge protector only showed one leg at 110v and one at 0v?

The best outcome YogiBearMD! Thanks for keeping us updated, Enjoy that well deserved vacation - all the best, Safe Travels.

Regards
FS

Persistent · 07-21-2022, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloridaSon

One question: Any idea why the PI surge protector only showed one leg at 110v and one at 0v?

The best outcome YogiBearMD! Thanks for keeping us updated, Enjoy that well deserved vacation - all the best, Safe Travels.

Regards
FS

When lightning strikes, lots of strange things happen. The extremely high pulse voltage often exceeds the wire and device insulation voltage maximum. There is no telling where the power will flow and what it will destroy.

The strike could have impacted the power lines. It could have impacted the motor coach directly.

Best guess:
One leg of the surge protector fried completely. Ultimately the PI surge protector is designed to sacrifice itself to save what it protects. Lightning strikes can be powerful enough to bridge fried circuits.

The inverter/charger also fried. It is truly amazing that more electronics survived.

**pasdad1** · 07-21-2022, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

When lightning strikes, lots of strange things happen. The extremely high pulse voltage often exceeds the wire and device insulation voltage maximum. There is no telling where the power will flow and what it will destroy.

The strike could have impacted the power lines. It could have impacted the motor coach directly.

Best guess:

One leg of the surge protector fried completely. Ultimately the PI surge protector is designed to sacrifice itself to save what it protects. Lightning strikes can be powerful enough to bridge fried circuits.

The inverter/charger also fried. It is truly amazing that more electronics survived.

The confusion was that the OP said only damage was inverter and fuse. I would understand if the surge suppressor was damaged too.

OkieSVT · 07-21-2022, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

The confusion was that the OP said only damage was inverter and fuse. I would understand if the surge suppressor was damaged too.

In post #16 OP indicated he had sent the PISP back for inspection. He was sent a new one. Apparently he was not checking the pedestal voltage but rather the output from the PISP. Just my feeble observation.

YogiBearMD. · 07-27-2022, 01:48 PM

OkieSVT,
After discovering the issue with the PI surge protector, I did check the voltage at the 50amp service in my RV Port, and at the breaker in the main panel in the house. It checked fine. I thought I did post that info somewhere earlier.
Ron

YogiBearMD. · 07-27-2022, 01:56 PM

Persistent,

I agree 110% with your statement about lighting doing a lot of strange things. My wife and I owned and operated a campground for +18yrs. Our 150-acre property was located in a valley. A lineman for with +30 years with Alleghany Power who did multiple service repair calls shared stories of damage as the result of lightning strikes. Some were scary, and some were amazing and beyond belief. We replaced our WiFi more times than I can remember.

We are on day 5 of our road trip and all is well with the our MH.

mr.tommy · 07-27-2022, 03:23 PM

We're FTer's and I always watch the weather VERY CLOSELY. One thing I do religiously, if there is a threat of severe thunder storms or in the forecast, I ALWAYS unplug from shore power no matter where I am.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-27-2022, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Did anybody notice this??
“…2) PI surge protector has one leg 110V, and one leg "0 volts." I remove and plug the coach directly into my 50 amp outlet…”
I can’t find anywhere in the comments where the missing leg on the shore power circuit got investigated and resolved. Until that happens nothing else matters.

Yeah, I noticed, but he also says that both a/c work. Doesn't seem like both of those things can be true at the same time. Unless it has 3 a/c units and only 2 of 3 are working.