Trouble with 30 AMP power

[PyroGuy]

Hi all we bought a new to us 2010 Dutchman Aerolite 241 and are out camping for the first time and I’ve run into a strange electrical issue. When I plug the camper into the 30 amp plug at the site I’ve got no power in the RV. When I plug into the 20 AMP outlet with my adapter everything works. I tested and have power at the 30 amp receptical. I pulled the panel in the RV apart and tested power coming in and if I turn the AC breaker and the inverter breaker off I have power but when I turn them back on I lose 120 volts. I’ve I plug into the 20 AMP receptical I have power at the RV panel with the AC and inverter on. Any ideas why these two don’t like 30 amps power?

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by PyroGuy

Hi all we bought a new to us 2010 Dutchman Aerolite 241 and are out camping for the first time and I’ve run into a strange electrical issue. When I plug the camper into the 30 amp plug at the site I’ve got no power in the RV. When I plug into the 20 AMP outlet with my adapter everything works. I tested and have power at the 30 amp receptical. I pulled the panel in the RV apart and tested power coming in and if I turn the AC breaker and the inverter breaker off I have power but when I turn them back on I lose 120 volts. I’ve I plug into the 20 AMP receptical I have power at the RV panel with the AC and inverter on. Any ideas why these two don’t like 30 amps power?

What do you mean when you say you plug into the 20 amp with your adapter and have power? Are you talking about an adapter you put on the end of your cord to change the style of plug?

If so it sounds like an issue with the 30 amp plug at the campsite. There is no difference between the power from the 20 amp outlet and the 30 amp outlet except when you run high draw items like the AC the 30 amps lets you pull more amps. Voltage is the same etc

[PyroGuy]

Yes when I use the adapter to convert the plug from the 30 amp plug to the traditional plug I use at home I everything works but when I don’t use the adapter and plug into the 30 amp receptical nothing works if I have the breaker for my AC and inverter has on.

I know that 120 volts is 120 volts and the only difference is the number of amps I can pull but why would the incoming voltage drop from 120 volts with the AC and inverter off to 0 volts when I turn either one of them on.

Jayro I agree with your assessment that it seems like a problem at the campground but my volt meter show 120 at the receptical and it shows 120 at the end of my cord before I plug it into the RV and it shows 120 in the breaker panel at the main breaker with it off. And it’s shows 120 on the buss bar with the ac and inverter off. But that voltage drops to 0 when I turn either breaker on.

I’ve done a fair amount of residential wiring so I know how it’s supposed to work and know that wiring at campgrounds can be less the ideal.

Could it be an issue with their receptical and an AMP draw issue? Poorly wired plug so I’ve got the voltage until I go and try to use it?

[persistent]

Jayro has it pegged. It is the 30 amp plug on the shore power cord not connecting with the 30 amp socket on the pedestal. If circuit breakers are not tripped, it is probably plug to socket connections or socket to pedestal wire connections.

The other voltage readings are probably "red herrings". Spurious voltages that disappear under load.

[Pirate]

First off, you need to get a Surge Protector. It will also tell you if there is voltage present and if its getting to your Trailer.

Just went through a issue at the Moab KOA. We pulled in to our reserved slot without an escort. Plugged the surge protector in and there was an instantaneous pop and holler from the wife. Turns out the pedestal has an open Neutral so the juice flowing is looking for any means to get the current circulating. Typically hot to neutral and back to the panel. But if the Neutral is open, the juice looks for any route to ground.

So it fried my bed side alarm clock. The Winegard satellite dish controller and the fireplace.

Called the office. A man came down and saw the issue. Said "That side of the pedestal is bad. Don't use it. The Electrician hasn't been down to fix it cuz he's too busy with the build out." Huh? You know you have a bad power pedestal but you don't get it fixed almost immediately? And you don't mark the pedestal? Hello?

So I would plug in at home or somewhere else an see what happens.

Pirate

[PyroGuy]

New weekend, new campground and the 30 amp plug works here, thanks for being a sounding board for me last weekend, having a new to us camper having issues made me nervous as to how much it could cost to fix. I’m pretty handy but had no clue as to that one, glad it was them and not me. Now to order a surge suppressor.

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by PyroGuy

New weekend, new campground and the 30 amp plug works here, thanks for being a sounding board for me last weekend, having a new to us camper having issues made me nervous as to how much it could cost to fix. I’m pretty handy but had no clue as to that one, glad it was them and not me. Now to order a surge suppressor.

Glad it wasn’t anything with the camper

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by PyroGuy

New weekend, new campground and the 30 amp plug works here, thanks for being a sounding board for me last weekend, having a new to us camper having issues made me nervous as to how much it could cost to fix. I’m pretty handy but had no clue as to that one, glad it was them and not me. Now to order a surge suppressor.

I ordered the one from progressive that analyzes the power from the campground ped before it allows power to be supplied. Also gives diagnostic codes and monitors power usage.

[azdryheat]

Originally Posted by Pirate

First off, you need to get a Surge Protector. It will also tell you if there is voltage present and if its getting to your Trailer.

Just went through a issue at the Moab KOA. We pulled in to our reserved slot without an escort. Plugged the surge protector in and there was an instantaneous pop and holler from the wife. Turns out the pedestal has an open Neutral so the juice flowing is looking for any means to get the current circulating. Typically hot to neutral and back to the panel. But if the Neutral is open, the juice looks for any route to ground.

So it fried my bed side alarm clock. The Winegard satellite dish controller and the fireplace.

Called the office. A man came down and saw the issue. Said "That side of the pedestal is bad. Don't use it. The Electrician hasn't been down to fix it cuz he's too busy with the build out." Huh? You know you have a bad power pedestal but you don't get it fixed almost immediately? And you don't mark the pedestal? Hello?

So I would plug in at home or somewhere else an see what happens.

Pirate

You fried stuff with a surge protector installed? I thought that wasn't supposed to happen.