Help please !! Electrical Outlet Still learning !!

Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 05:39 PM

Getting ready to leave the campsite today we discovered that while being plugged in to the 30 amp outlet for 2 nights the outlet was not working properly. Our coach batteries were drained, the generator wouldn't start. Could not get the slides in or the jacks up. Luckily we had a 110 adapter plug....so we plugged into 110 long enough to get the generator started. Were able to then get the slides in and the jacks up. My question is how do you know for sure that the 30 amp outlets are working correctly. And what would we have done if the 110 was not working ? Suppose we could have left the engine running long enough to charge the coach batteries. Are we missing something here??

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OldCoot · 03-23-2014, 05:42 PM

Did you not use any 110v during the weekend?

davel1971 · 03-23-2014, 05:46 PM

I'm still trying to figure that out myself OldCoot. Seems like you would know right away. There has to be some sort of indicator somewhere if the coach in there avatar is what they are asking about

**wmtire** · 03-23-2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blevinseve

Getting ready to leave the campsite today we discovered that while being plugged in to the 30 amp outlet for 2 nights the outlet was not working properly. Our coach batteries were drained, the generator wouldn't start. Could not get the slides in or the jacks up. Luckily we had a 110 adapter plug....so we plugged into 110 long enough to get the generator started. Were able to then get the slides in and the jacks up. My question is how do you know for sure that the 30 amp outlets are working correctly. And what would we have done if the 110 was not working ? Suppose we could have left the engine running long enough to charge the coach batteries. Are we missing something here??

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I think you are trying to say the 30 amp outlet (which is a 110/120 volt) was not working and you has to use an adapter to plug into the 15-20 amp outlet (which is also 110/120 volt).

It's also possible, you are referring to the 50 amp 120/240 split phase service as the 30 amp service.

Both the 30 amp and 15-20 amp outlets are wired for 110/120 volts. Even the split phase 120/240 volt 50 amp outlet only uses each leg separately which are each 120 volt. This pic may help in which outlet you are referring to

Just about every RV only uses 120 volt, which is what confuses many people. Even when plugged into a 120/240 split phase 50 amp service, the RV is wired in such a way that it uses the TWO 120 volt legs separately, and never combines them to make 240 volts.

This article may help in the understanding of it all:

http://www.rvcruzer.com/electrical/chapter3.php

If you carry a voltmeter with you, you can easily check ALL outlets before plugging into them. You can also make a fairly cheap outlet tester for this purpose. And if you have certain surge guard/circuit monitoring systems, it can also alert you to problems with the outlet.

You can learn to use a multi-meter or make your own plug-n-play outlet tester here: Click the left hand tab on outlet testing.

RV Electric

BamaBob · 03-23-2014, 05:50 PM

Just curious blevinseve - what type of rig do you have?

BamaBob · 03-23-2014, 05:55 PM

Also, this is a really good surge protector and even though it is expensive, it will not only protect your rig but let you know when things are not working so goo (or as in your case, not at all!)

This is a 50amp unit, you may need the 30 AMP unit they sell depending on your rig:

Amazon.com: Progressive Industries EMSPT50C Surge Protector: Automotive

**Tireman9** · 03-23-2014, 06:07 PM

This is what I use. It has lights that code if the campgrounud post is wired correctly or not. many are not up to code.

Google "Progressive 30 amp" You can get for less than $100 and it has saved me a couple times.

Teamfour · 03-23-2014, 06:07 PM

After plugging into the 30 amp receptacle, I use an inexpensive circuit tester to test a 110v outlet for polarity. That tells me all is good (or not) with the shore power.

Snowman9000 · 03-23-2014, 06:34 PM

Well if your microwave display is lighted, you have shore power. If it isn't, you don't.

OldCoot · 03-23-2014, 06:36 PM

My 30 amp cord has a red light on the female end that plugs into the camper that lets you know you have power.

davel1971 · 03-23-2014, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman9000

Well if your microwave display is lighted, you have shore power. If it isn't, you don't.

I'm not sure if that holds true in a coach. They have a mess of batteries and may be able to run off the inverter. Looks like another case of a dealer not giving a good delivery and teaching the customer.

Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 07:57 PM

OK we plugged up to the 30 amp outlet at campground. All seemed fine used microwave..small space heater..lights and such. Yesterday the "check" light started coming on...on the refrigerator. I would turn the fridge off then back on and the check light would go off only to come back on later. So this morning getting ready to leave...bringing in the large slide was really slow...that is when we figured something was wrong. The bedroom slide would not come... in the jacks would not retract... the generator would not start and the control panel showed the coach batteries were empty. Plunged the coach into the 110 plug out there with an adapter after a while the generator started. Then we were able to bring the other slide in and retract the jacks. By the time we got to the house the batteries were fully charged and after plugging into our 30amp service at home all seems OK. We have a 2012 forester 3011. Thanks for all the help!!

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davel1971 · 03-23-2014, 08:04 PM

the "check" light didn't make you want to look deeper into that?

Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 08:09 PM

Davel1971 yep live and learn. We thought something was going wrong with the fridge. The light didn't come on inside the fridge either come to think of it.

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Taranwanderer · 03-23-2014, 08:33 PM

They are all "110" plugs, just varying amounts of amperage with the different plugs. You are confusing yourself and everyone else trying to help you by describing it the way you are. Most of us know what you're trying to say, but the more correct your terminology becomes, the greater your knowledge and understanding will be.

Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 08:44 PM

And if I had the knowledge I wouldn't need to ask these questions....

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**wmtire** · 03-23-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blevinseve

And if I had the knowledge I wouldn't need to ask these questions....

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Howdy blevinseve, there are some links in post #4 that may help in the understanding of the electrical.

Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 08:53 PM

Thank you this looks like what I need.

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Frank & Eve · 03-23-2014, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tireman9

This is what I use. It has lights that code if the campgrounud post is wired correctly or not. many are not up to code.

Google "Progressive 30 amp" You can get for less than $100 and it has saved me a couple times.

Thanks for this info.

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Big Paul · 03-23-2014, 09:22 PM

Simple solution is to get a small plug in meter that shown the AC voltage put in an outlet that you can see easy and might not us as much as others then you can always know the power is on and if voltage low or to high. Camping World has and many RV supply stores has.

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