No Power in Camper

Joedvo · 10-25-2018, 08:45 PM

I just bought a new 2018 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite in June, 6 months ago. We have taken it camping several times without issue. I had a 30 A outdoor outlet installed at my house so we could keep it plugged in, I plugged it in the first time, and I swear I heard a faint pop. The hurricane was coming so I didn't get a chance to check on it. A couple of weeks later I check on it and find that there is no power inside, oddly except the microwave clock. I checked the house breaker and it was fine, I checked the breakers and fuses in the breaker panel inside the camper and they were fine. I cycled all breakers and still nothing. I checked the fuse on the red battery cable and it was fine. I had my electrician come back out and check the outlet and he said it was wired right, nothing came loose, and it has power. He checked the campers breaker panel and there was AC power coming in, but he was a bit puzzled why nothing was working. I have no idea what could have happened. Obviously, I will likely have to take it in for warranty repair. But if it was something rather simple, I wanted to ask the forum. The only thing I can think of is the AC to DC converter, but I have no idea where it is. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you!

rjc1024 · 10-25-2018, 08:55 PM

Are you sure the electrician wired the 30 amp outlet at 120 volts? Its very common that they are wired incorrectly with 240 volts.

**wmtire** · 10-25-2018, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjc1024

Are you sure the electrician wired the 30 amp outlet at 120 volts? Its very common that they are wired incorrectly with 240 volts.

X2

Please immediately unplug your RV from the outlet installed, as you need to check it. We have electricians all the time incorrectly wire this 30 amp outlet as a 240 volt application, which is wrong. If you connect to that, you will fry your converter (which it sounds like you did). You can destroy the microwave, television, fridge control boards, electric fireplaces, and more.

I have been involved in way too many of these occurrences on the forums. Hold on and I will get some more info.

RJJB · 10-25-2018, 09:07 PM

Is the 30A receptacle you had installed 120V, it should only have a 30A single pole breaker feeding it?

**wmtire** · 10-25-2018, 09:08 PM

Check this link that we keep as a sticky at the top of the FAQ subforum. Print out the pdf file if you can,

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...let-27223.html

http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf

Can you go to the electrical distribution panel of your house where the electrician wired your 30 amp outlet from. Look at the circuit breaker to this outlet. If it's a double pole circuit breaker (twice as wide as say a 15 amp circuit breaker in the panel), then he wired it up 240 volts......and you have problems

Check out this link:

RV Electric

and the outlet testing tab, to verify your outlet.

RV Electric

If you find out it was incorrectly wired as 240 volts (even though the outlet itself may have 125 volts on the face of it which an electrician should read)...you need to document all communications, etc with the electrician. There is going to be damage that is not covered by warranty, so the liability will reside with the electrician and/or your insurance.

doc73 · 10-25-2018, 09:20 PM

Yep could be an electrician got another one.

**wmtire** · 10-25-2018, 09:22 PM

If you do find out it was wired for 240 volts, it's understandable if you are upset and maybe feel sick about it. But it does happen. Your forum friends here will get you thru it, if that has happened.

Just let us know what you find, so we can troubleshoot further.

**ES_FR** · 10-26-2018, 10:03 AM

Joedvo,

First, thank you for joining the Salem family with your Cruise Lite purchase.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconveniences resulting from this loss of power. We take these concerns very seriously and would encourage you to contact Miranda Blackburn in our service department by visiting this personalized link: Forest River RV Direct Service Contact - Forest River, Inc..

In order to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible, please use this link and Miranda will respond within 24 hours.

Thank you,
Forest River

Sebourn · 10-26-2018, 05:57 PM

Did you check your GFIC outlet and was it tripped?

Joedvo · 10-27-2018, 02:40 PM

I checked with my electrician and while I told him it was 120V before he installed it, it was installed as 240 V. Has anyone ever dealt with this or known someone who has? I am guessing that my only option is to take it to the dealer.

Gonefishing1 · 10-27-2018, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joedvo

I checked with my electrician and while I told him it was 120V before he installed it, it was installed as 240 V. Has anyone ever dealt with this or known someone who has? I am guessing that my only option is to take it to the dealer.

I would think then all cost would and should be covered by the electrician and his company. Your warenty is not going to cover it. Not sure about your insurance they may say the electric company insurance is responsible for the damage.

**Bama Rambler** · 10-27-2018, 03:04 PM

The first thing to do is get it wired correctly and then figure out what is damaged and what just has a tripped breaker or blown fuse.

Once you figure that out, you can discuss with the electrician what part they accept.

Assuming you paid them for the work, AND they were informed that it was an RV receptacle, they are liable.

CedarCreekWoody · 10-27-2018, 03:11 PM

You are not the only one that has experienced this. There are several threads on tbe forum where members discuss the things damaged. As stated, talk to the electrician regarding their responsibilty.

**bikendan** · 10-27-2018, 03:47 PM

Yep, wish you had asked the Forum members about this before you had a electrician install it.[emoji21]
This happens a lot and unfortunately the owner comes here after the damage is done.
He should be liable for the items that will need to be replaced.

rk06382 · 10-27-2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joedvo

I checked with my electrician and while I told him it was 120V before he installed it, it was installed as 240 V. Has anyone ever dealt with this or known someone who has? I am guessing that my only option is to take it to the dealer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Yep, wish you had asked the Forum members about this before you had a electrician install it.[emoji21]
This happens a lot and unfortunately the owner comes here after the damage is done.
He should be liable for the items that will need to be replaced.

OP (Joedvo) told his electrician it was 120V.

I installed a 30A RV outlet on my house. But I did not use until I was able to tested it with my Progressive Industries SSP-30XL Surge Protector.

doc73 · 10-27-2018, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rk06382

OP (Joedvo) told his electrician it was 120V.

I installed a 30A RV outlet on my house. But I did not use until I was able to tested it with my Progressive Industries SSP-30XL Surge Protector.

I think their point was that the electricians all say they know how to wire a simple rv plug... Then blow up your camper.

TitanMike · 10-27-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joedvo

A couple of weeks later I check on it and find that there is no power inside, oddly except the microwave clock.

I would think that if you plugged into a 240 V service and "blew everything out" the microwave clock wouldn't be working either.

Have you checked the GFCI outlet and hit the reset button? Often in the bathroom with a lot of other items being fed off the pass through power connection (line).

GFCI's are notorious for tripping when unit is plugged in. They're temperamental on their best day.

WY Husker Fan · 10-27-2018, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc73

I think their point was that the electricians all say they know how to wire a simple rv plug... Then blow up your camper.

As a 40 year + master electrician I can assure you that not “all” electricians “Then blow up your camper”. I would wager a lot of money that the friend or handy man do a lot more damage than licensed professional electricians. Sure there are instances of so called electricians misswiring Rv 30 amp circuits but those are the ones you hear about - the majority that have no issues don’t make it to the forum. I get a little testy when this issue comes up! I have weighed in on far too many threads on this forum where the “experts” suggest electrical solutions that are absolutely wrong and very dangerous.

merlinhomeauto · 10-27-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WY Husker Fan

As a 40 year + master electrician I can assure you that not “all” electricians “Then blow up your camper”. I would wager a lot of money that the friend or handy man do a lot more damage than licensed professional electricians. Sure there are instances of so called electricians misswiring Rv 30 amp circuits but those are the ones you hear about - the majority that have no issues don’t make it to the forum. I get a little testy when this issue comes up! I have weighed in on far too many threads on this forum where the “experts” suggest electrical solutions that are absolutely wrong and very dangerous.

Thanks as an electrician of 37 years and one who takes care of 4 campgrounds.

doc73 · 10-27-2018, 08:03 PM

Not trying to say "all" electricians... But give it a few months (everyone gets their new rigs in from the dealers) and there will be numerous threads for 240 blowing out from miswired plugs campers, why their microwave does not work on battery power and so on.. Been here a while as you all have as well and see if every year

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