Community Forums

M&Aeller · 07-16-2010, 03:16 PM

I just installed a hardwired 50A Progressive surge protector on my coach last month and it has an LED readout that shows the amps and voltage on each leg. I notice that the L2 leg will have maybe 25 amps on it and the L1 leg will have 0 amps.

Is this the normal distribution for a 50 amp coach like this? I would have thoght that the amps would have been spread out between the two legs better than that.

Also, one other question - what is the normal voltage drop in the shoreline cable from the pedestal to the coach?

The shoreline is about 50' long and mine seems to have a drop of about 3 volts. The park we are staying at right now, the LED shows about 105 volts on L2 and about 110 on L1. During the hot part of the day the surge protector trips the power off several times when the voltage drops to 104. I checked the voltage at the pedestal and it shows about 108 and 113. The owner knows he has a problem with this area of the park and is going to move me to a newer area.

Since I am not a electric geek, I just dont know what is "normal" as far as amp distribution or voltage drop.

Route 66 · 07-16-2010, 03:36 PM

I too have the Progressive EMS.

The difference in the L1, L2 load is the way your RV is wired. On my rig, L1 has the front A/C , W/D and maybe something else.

L2 is the rear A/C, inverter, all of the outlets, etc. My L2 is always indicating a higher load than L1.

The voltage drop sounds normal.

A new site sounds good.

M&Aeller · 07-17-2010, 07:51 AM

Thanks Route66.

We have moved and both legs are reading about 109-110 at the coach now.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-17-2010, 01:06 PM

There is no standard distribution, but typically one a/c will be on each leg and the water heater and fridge also placed on different legs. Helps to spread the load, as you suggested. Our washer/dryer is on the L2 leg with the rear a/c and water heater, while the microwave shares L1 with the front a/c and fridge.

Usually you can see which leg each circuit is on by the physical position of the circuit breakers in the load center. One side will be all on L1 and the other side all on L2. Moving a breaker from one side to the other changes the leg it is using.

wa8yxm · 07-17-2010, 07:41 PM

Is it normal for all the current to be in one leg.. Yes.. epically if you only have one A/C on (And it sounds like you do)

The loads should be balanced.. That means One AC on L-1, one on L-2, The water heater will be on one leg, the converter and fridge on the other. And so on

If the fridge is cold, the batteries charged and one A/C off.. Or if ...

The water is hot, and the other A/C is off.. 25/0 very possible.

M&Aeller · 07-19-2010, 07:52 AM

I have basement AC with 2 compressors. The 25/0 example that I was discussing was with the AC running. I would have thought one comp on L1 and the other on L2. I guess the only way to see the distribution is to open up panels and see what goes where.