50 Amp Connection

[denisgr]

My 2016 FR Vibe has some interesting electrical problems this last weekend that I want to share and see is anyone else has experienced them. This Vibe is just one year into service, have had reasonably trouble free camping until the last trip. I noticed that the 12 volt system was not charging and I checked the converter and found it not producing 13 volts as required. Changed out the converter and it worked fine for about a day. Checked the new converter and found that it was not getting 120 volt ac power. Thought it was the breaker so I plugged it into an extension cord from a 120 V socket in the camper and it again worked fine. I was about to pull the breaker when I decided to check the voltage on the breaker next to the converter breaker and found it to not be providing power as well. Checked the main breakers and found the black wire side of the power inlet not providing 120volts while the red wire side was. Went out to the shore power box , threw the breaker on and off, worked the connector to the camper a little bit and got the black wire side of the circuit board working again. I suspect that the 50 amp connector to the camper was not making a good connection, however it seemed to be fully engaged and it did work for awhile after I initially changed the converter. Question is could this intermittent power from the black wire side have caused the initial converter failure? Converter not even 1 year into service so I don't know why it went out. Now that I am back from my trip and have time to check things out I am thinking of changing the 50 amp connector on the TT as I am not really able to get a good connection, the threaded coupling will not engage and it does not allow me to rotate the connector to lock as it says to do so on the chord.

[johnbryanpeters]

So

1. You have established that you have an intermittent connection on the black leg.
2. Given your description of the connector, it ain't a bad idea to replace it. How do the pins look, any evidence of arcing?
3. It's possible that the converter you replaced was OK...

[denisgr]

Thanks,

No evidence of arcing on the pins but I still want to replace the trailer connector it as the replacement cost seems reasonable ( around $50 from E Trailer).

Checked the initial converter after removal, does not produce any 12V power when plugged into a good 120v outlet.

[wmtire]

These schematics may also help visualize it, as it shows the 50 amp wiring from the power company to the pedestal outlet...and the next one shows from your RV's cord inlet to your electrical distribution panel.... since you have two incoming 50 amp 120 volt legs, and each provides power to one side of the distribution panel.

[Alleyantique]

Before you buy a new connector pull the old one out and look for a loose connection. Good chance the screws are not tight. Found that problem on mine and had to replace the connector because it had arced and burned the pins and melted plastic behind the faceplate.

[Herk7769]

If this is at a campground, anything having to do with the pedestal needs to be checked out ASAP or this could be your next experience:

[CHICKDOE]

before you replaced the connector i'd take a very close look at the existing one to see if there is any arcing / burning that is evident either on the side where the cord plugs in or on the reverse side where the cables to the distribution panel screw in. there have been many reports of these cables being loose where they connect to the receptacle. also, I have a furrion 50 amp cable and the plastic threaded ring on the end of the cable broke. furrion sells a replacement metal ring that you can slide over the end of the cable if that is your problem. I would not expect the receptacle itself to fail as the metal connectors should be one piece. any failure would be where the cord or the cables attach.

[johnbryanpeters]

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

before you replaced the connector i'd take a very close look at the existing one to see if there is any arcing / burning that is evident either on the side where the cord plugs in or on the reverse side where the cables to the distribution panel screw in. there have been many reports of these cables being loose where they connect to the receptacle. also, I have a furrion 50 amp cable and the plastic threaded ring on the end of the cable broke. furrion sells a replacement metal ring that you can slide over the end of the cable if that is your problem. I would not expect the receptacle itself to fail as the metal connectors should be one piece. any failure would be where the cord or the cables attach.

I'd like to see a connector with metal threads on both the male and female end.

[elind]

Also the cord next to the plug could have burned wires inside that would create a resistance to drop the voltage. If you replace a plug end make sure you cut back till you get to clean copper.

[denisgr]

Thanks, I have ordered a new connector, figure if I remove the existing one and check the connections I might as well change it out.

[Scrapper]

Just be careful with the connections at the part on the side of your RV. A friend of mine had the terminal for the one of the wires cracked and the wire fell out. The clamp that the screw tightened was a piece of thin sheet metal and the torque on the screw was too much. Needless to say $2100 for repairs. I wish I had pictures but I don't.