Low voltage and air conditioning

[xander]

Ok guys here is what I have in the evening with the ac turned off.



Then here is when the ac is on.



It hasn't tripped this weekend bit it wasn't hot.

What now? Normal? Dangerous?

[jimh]

there is nothing wrong with 110. i would check at the pedistle and see if it does the same there with and with out a/c.

this looks more like u have a bad connection somewhere. wouldn't think u would get this much drop. i would find each of the plug in connections between u and what ur plugged into (pedistle). separate each of them and check for melting rubber and or discolored connections. clean and reassemble. rerun ur test and see if there is an improvement.

the other part that points to the campground is that it wasn't hot so there wasn't as much drag on the electrical as normal.

i was going to prove that there wasn't much drop on my trailer while using a #12 extension cord. got a 15 volt drop and traced it back to a bad adapter.

110V isn't going to hurt u. i suspect under the higher demand days, these numbers won't be as good. ie, see if u get the same results durring the day even though the demand at the campground isn't as great.

i would also ask some of the neighbors if they are experiencing the same. might even check the voltages they are getting.

[skipper194242]

10% is usally the maxinum allowable drop with out causing problems. that said if capacitors on a/c getting weak could cause a/c to overamp and trip breaker.

[Herk7769]

In my experience, that is normal voltage drop with a load on your camper; an autotransformer would kick that back up to let your AC work less hard.

However, any lower than that you might start having start and tripped breaker problems.

Put a autotransformer (Like the Franks Unit) on that line to be sure.

[xander]

I have yet to check this o shot day when it is tripping the breaker. I had No problems with it this weekend. I will report back.

[tmmar]

I have a surge supressor that has a digital readout of the condition of the power at the pedestal. The air conditioner breaker started tripping and when I went out and looked at the pedestal, the voltage was at 104. I notified the campground and they had to move us because they had an electrical problem in the area I was in.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by xander

I have yet to check this o shot day when it is tripping the breaker. I had No problems with it this weekend. I will report back.

I bet on a hot day that will dip below 110v

[xander]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I bet on a hot day that will dip below 110v

If it does can that hurt my unit? What should I do if it does? Im assuming this is probobly not the fault of my cord?

[skipper194242]

low voltage will damage a/c over time. i will not tolerate a voltage drop over 10% without looking for remedy with host.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by xander

If it does can that hurt my unit? What should I do if it does? Im assuming this is probobly not the fault of my cord?

You need to plug your meter into the post that you cord is hooked to and see if its the same as when plugged into your trailer.

[skipper194242]

normally the post have a 120 volt plug on them as well. good place to monitor voltage. turn on a/c,coffee pot,hot water heater on a/c, on hot day. it should tell tale. if it is service it would show there. with proper size cord it should not drop even 2 volts.

[fast murray]

Are those plug in meters any good? I carry a decent digital multimeter that I trust. Either way it's getting some drop with the A/C. If everyone in the campground cranked up their A/C at the same time as you it might make sense but that looks like a connection issue.

[xander]

Originally Posted by skipper194242

normally the post have a 120 volt plug on them as well. good place to monitor voltage. turn on a/c,coffee pot,hot water heater on a/c, on hot day. it should tell tale. if it is service it would show there. with proper size cord it should not drop even 2 volts.

I didn't think to test that. I will on Friday.

[skipper194242]

a good multimeter would give you better idea what is going on. i would also amp legs feeding trailer if voltage drop occuring. that would require pulling panel cover at service.

[xander]

Ok so this weekend the meter dropped to 105 ish inside the camper with air running. When I tested it at the outlet that's on the box outside it was a full 120. I assume this means the supplied power is ok and that my cord is likely the cause.

[skipper194242]

either the cord or panel where main breaker plugs in. most breakers clip or stab on to buss. when they age the contact point gets weak from heat.

[xander]

Originally Posted by skipper194242

either the cord or panel where main breaker plugs in. most breakers clip or stab on to buss. when they age the contact point gets weak from heat.

How would I check for this?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by xander

How would I check for this?

At the power pole your plugged into.

Take a flash light and look at connecters.

Also do the same at camper where it plugs into the side. Look at cord receptacle for burnt or corroded terminals

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by fast murray

Are those plug in meters any good? I carry a decent digital multimeter that I trust. Either way it's getting some drop with the A/C. If everyone in the campground cranked up their A/C at the same time as you it might make sense but that looks like a connection issue.

My 12 dollar plug in volt meter was within 1/2 volt of the campground's 500 dollar monitor.

[xander]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

At the power pole your plugged into.

Take a flash light and look at connecters.

Also do the same at camper where it plugs into the side. Look at cord receptacle for burnt or corroded terminals

Will do!