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08-31-2015, 07:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 143
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Surge Guard - Low Voltage
Hello, my rig has a SurgeGuard power transfer switch. We normally have our MH plugged into a 20A circuit at home to run one of the the A/C's and the refridgerator when preparing for a trip. The voltage measured at the outlet and extension cord is 118v. The SurgeGuard often shows me ~105v. Not enough for the SurgrGuard to shut down the power but enough to have me concerned.
I'm planning to get the 50A service setup in the next couple months but in the mean time, wondering if there's anything I can do short term.
Should I try shorter extension cord? Is the voltage dropping due to load? I can't really measure voltage under load with my meter.
TIA!
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Craig and Jessica | RV Rookies | 2014 Fleetwood Bounder 35K| Tampa, FL
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08-31-2015, 07:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Posts: 695
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Check the voltage at the outlet where the ext cord is plugged into. If you have a voltage drop at the mh you may want to increase the gauge of the ext cord.
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08-31-2015, 07:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Belgian
Check the voltage at the outlet where the ext cord is plugged into. If you have a voltage drop at the mh you may want to increase the gauge of the ext cord.
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Right, checked the outlet and compared it to the end of the extension cord. Both read 118V. I'm going to try a different extension cord tomorrow.
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Craig and Jessica | RV Rookies | 2014 Fleetwood Bounder 35K| Tampa, FL
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08-31-2015, 07:41 PM
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#4
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,198
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The extension cord should not be less than 12 ga wires
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08-31-2015, 09:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,591
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As mentioned the voltage drop under load could be from the extension cord; increasing gauge of wire (to 12 as mentioned) will reduce voltage loss in the extension cord. However you could also be seeing voltage drop in the 20A home circuit if it is at the end of the home run (back to service panel) or if other loads are present on that circuit at the same time (fridge in garage, or other devices).
You "can" operate on 105V but the AC will pull increased amperage and could stress electrical components of the AC.
Try the easy fix first - extension cord and watch Surge Guard voltage under load.
I carry a 25 foot 30A extension cord with my MH, for those odd instances where I may drive in and the pedestal is on the other side to my orientation. 50A to 30A adapter, 30A extension cord, then 30 to 20/15A connector. Helps reduce voltage drop and usually runs one AC no problem on 20A.
Hope this helps,
Brian
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Towr: 2007 Country Coach Allure 470 - 37 Sunset Bay Cummins 400 ISL, Coach #31563
Toad: 2016 F150 King Ranch - 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Supercrew (curb weight 4,775 lbs)
Toad: SOLD 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, it has a Hemi) (curb weight 4,720 lbs)
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09-01-2015, 07:49 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,580
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Just check the voltage at any outlet in the RV. Always use the shortest extension that will work and, in this case, use a 12 ga.
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09-01-2015, 09:37 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,671
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Clearly the voltage is dropping under load. A measurement in the RV itself would verify what the Surge Guard says. If not the extension cord, it will be the plug contact points, either RV plug or the cord. It is even possible the house power ciruit is showing a voltage drop under load, e.g. a poor wire connection to the outlet. If you can, get a volt reading at the house outlet while the coach is plugged in and loading the outlet down.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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09-01-2015, 09:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,138
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When hooked up to a 20 amp circuit I never run the air conditioner. Low voltage will destroy an Air conditioner.
Occasionally even my 50 amp will drop to 105 at a campground when it's hot outside and there are a lot of RV's.
I turn off the air conditioning then too.
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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09-01-2015, 09:56 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Crossville, Tennessee
Posts: 794
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Car54,
In your first post you note the low voltage does not shut down your transfer switch. The SurgeGuard Transfer Switch does NOT have a high/low shutoff. It only has a high "surge" protection. Many people assume because it is a Surge Guard that it also has high/low protection.
>> Dennis
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09-02-2015, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 1,324
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dengraham
Car54,
In your first post you note the low voltage does not shut down your transfer switch. The SurgeGuard Transfer Switch does NOT have a high/low shutoff. It only has a high "surge" protection. Many people assume because it is a Surge Guard that it also has high/low protection.
>> Dennis
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My Surge Guard DOES shut down at low power. Have had it happen. Straight from the manual:
Protects RV bumper to bumper from faulty park power.
Remote LCD Display
Plain English
Voltage and Current Indication
Fault Identification
Multi-mode surge suppression (fuse protected).
2 minute 15 Second Reset Delay Protects A/C
Auto Reset on Power Restoration
Protects against:
Excessive voltage, Low (<102V) and High (>132V)
Miswired pedestal
Open neutral
Open ground
High/low frequency
Reverse polarity
3350 Joules of power surge protection.
__________________
Brian and Tammy
2017 Entegra Aspire 44b
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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09-02-2015, 08:02 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Crossville, Tennessee
Posts: 794
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Brian, you are correct the Surge Guard Power Protection DOES have a high/low protection. Car54 was talking about their Surgeguard Transfer Switch. The Transfer Switch/ Surgeguard Combo does NOT have a high/low protection (unless you buy the delux $750 model). His transfer switch combo will NOT shut down on a low/high voltage unless he also has a Surge Guard Power Protection system connected in front of his transfer switch. I am talking about the Model 41260
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09-02-2015, 08:06 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 1,324
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Surge Guard - Low Voltage
Mine is hard wired in and a combo unit, I think. Will double check.
__________________
Brian and Tammy
2017 Entegra Aspire 44b
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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09-02-2015, 08:17 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 1,324
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Just looked and mine is the 40250 combo.
__________________
Brian and Tammy
2017 Entegra Aspire 44b
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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09-02-2015, 09:17 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,671
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The #40250 definitely has low voltage protection. I have one as well.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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