Pay attention to your power pedestal

[vasnipe]

Looking over the threads recently posted I see ones questioning the need and the expense for power monitoring and surge units. I experienced the need for one this weekend at a big name campground in Natural Bridge Station, VA. We pulled in and the first thing I did was check the power at the pedestal. All appeared OK with the 30 amp service, but I noticed the connector box on the side of the box looked a little worse for wear. Got everything running and looked at my voltmeter inside the coach and saw 110 volts. OK, acceptable. Made some more preps to leave the unit to socialize and looked again at the meter. It was down to about 105 volts. Time to pull the plug. Touched the connector plug and it was hot to the touch. I checked the 50 amp service and it seemed OK, but I smelled hot wiring. I touched the connector box to the side of the pedestal and it was very hot. Not a good thing. Went to the office and they sent a tech over who pulled the cover, the attached photo is what he found. They moved me to another site and then took care of the power problem.
Hope this helps someone.

Chris in Virginia

[Big Bad Allis]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully everyone who's doubters take note.

[davel1971]

makes me want to order a Progressive Industries unit right now. Sure don't want to fry my new 5th wheel

[Big Paul]

Looks like the smoke was let out!! Not good.

[donanddona]

Stayed at a RV park in MO. last year. A little cul-de-sac section. Didn't know it was on the older section. Three other family and friends came in the following day. First night was ok the next night our TV wouldn't come on. One cousin said his AC was sounding funny. We took voltage reading and yep 95 volts. Now we run a volt meter on the inside and on the outside to monitor daily...

[GeneFail]

The secret to electronics is the little puff of smoke they put in each one. If you let it out, it quits working. ;-) :-P

[TURBS]

Saved that picture!

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[TURBS]

Your title should have sai
"This is why you need a progressive industries surge guard"

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by davel1971

makes me want to order a Progressive Industries unit right now. Sure don't want to fry my new 5th wheel

We have one. I even use it when we are hooked up to shore power at our house!

On another power monitor thread, there is a good discussion on installing the in-line system.

Wish I had seen this discussion BEFORE I bought our portable one!

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ems-56898.html

Oh, and Turbs is one of the guys who have done this install I believe...so over to you Ron

[TURBS]

Easy peasy

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by GeneFail

The secret to electronics is the little puff of smoke they put in each one. If you let it out, it quits working. ;-) :-P

and dammed near impossible to put that smoke back in. LOL

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by davel1971

makes me want to order a Progressive Industries unit right now. Sure don't want to fry my new 5th wheel

We fried our power unit first trip out when the well established campground had major issues. 10 or 11 trailers fell prey to the same situation that night almost 800 dollars later I purchased their unit and had it installed. No regrets now.