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markpj23 · 01-28-2023, 05:00 PM

My shore power 'fun' began with a welded connector as covered in this previous thread: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/shor...ht=shore+power
After we returned from our latest trip, I took a hard look at our power pedestal. I measured 247v across the 2 line connectors on the 50a pedestal jack, plus 124v from L1 to Neutral, L2 to neutral. This means that "Bubba" did NOT wire this 50a outlet. Great! Since I no longer wanted to use my 30A extension cord as a 'fuse' in this circuit, I bought a new 50A extension cord, 30ft long. It's a Camco unit that looks to be well made.

So, ez-peezy. Just connect to the pedestal using my all-50A cables. EXCEPT that my Surge Protector was now acting strangely. I have a TRC 36450 Surge Guard hard-wired to the coach. It went through its normal 2 minute delay, showed the L1 & L2 lights plus the flashing delay light. I heard the ATS switch to shore power and went inside thinking all was well. After another minute or so, I heard the ATS switch again and the EMS showed 0 volts on both L1 & L2.
Hmm... checked the surge protector and it was going through another delay cycle. OK, maybe the park power took a hit. Surge protector completed its cycle and the ATS tripped to shore power again. This time it lasted about a minute before the ATS switched again. Several attempts to reset the pedestal breaker, check cable connections, etc and still the same result. The surge protector was cycling on & off. The "Caution When Illuminated" light on the surge protector was not lit.

I went back to using my 30A extension cord (fuse) and all was well again. Hmm.... The next morning I went back to the 50A cable and checked voltages on the EMS - all well within the range of the surge protector (102v - 132v). I have 118v on L1 and 122v on L2.
As I write this we have been on the 50A cabling all day without issues. I have no idea what may have caused this other than transient voltage spikes / dips last evening. I note that the L1 and L2 lights are red, but still no caution light.
Any ideas what to check now?

MrMark52 · 01-28-2023, 06:57 PM

A couple of thoughts -

Did you measure for a voltage difference between neutral and ground WHEN the SurgeSuppresser was having an issue with the 50 amp service?

It’s possible there is a loose or burned connection in the park power. I’ve had that happen before where the clamp at the transformer secondary had burned and carburized under the electrical tape and become intermittent.
Also had similar happen on the neutral buss bonding clamp for for incoming power at in-law’s house - the bolt the held the clamp was likely never tightened when they moved into a 15 year old house. Power was doing all sorts of weird things as I was correcting hot’s and neutral wiring in the attic - done by the PO.

markpj23 · 01-29-2023, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMark52

A couple of thoughts -

Did you measure for a voltage difference between neutral and ground WHEN the SurgeSuppresser was having an issue with the 50 amp service?

No - was getting dark and I was in no mood...

I got hold of the park maintenance guy and we will check the pedestal connections tomorrow. Also get him to install the 50A receptacle so that the ground lug is NOT at the top.... makes it kinda hard to close the weather cover don'tcha think?

MrMark52 · 01-29-2023, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpj23

No - was getting dark and I was in no mood...

I got hold of the park maintenance guy and we will check the pedestal connections tomorrow. Also get him to install the 50A receptacle so that the ground lug is NOT at the top.... makes it kinda hard to close the weather cover don'tcha think?

Plug upside down considering the power issues your having would worry me to the point that I would boon-dock for the nite until the park can check things out by a qualified electrician - one who could assure me there was nothing intermittently wrong with their electrical distribution system.