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Old 07-26-2020, 07:37 PM   #1
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Burned Plug, what did I do now?

I unplugged my generator and this is what I found:

What did I do wrong? I can replace the plug. How do I fix the generator side? How do I ensure that I don't do this again?
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Old 07-26-2020, 07:41 PM   #2
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A burn like that generally means there was a poor connection and there was arcing in the plug. I suspect there were loose parts in the socket or there may have been corrosion, it will be pretty near impossible to figure out which it was since it is now burnt. The part in the generator should not be too difficult to replace, you just need to find one that matches.
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Old 07-26-2020, 07:42 PM   #3
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That usually occurs as the result of a poor connection. If the connection between the wire and the burned blade was loose it generates heat and causes what you are seeing. It could also be the connection in the generator, but most likely in the male plug.
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Old 07-26-2020, 08:07 PM   #4
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new plug and new receptacle, call Champion support.
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Old 07-27-2020, 07:40 AM   #5
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My guess, since the plug end (on the wire) is after market, is that there was a loose connection on that blade. The arcing in the plug heated up the blade which melted the socket in the generator.

If you are handy (and you most likely are since you made your extension cord), the socket is an easy replacement.

If I am wrong and that is a CAMCO factory made cord, then I would have a long talk with them.
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Old 07-27-2020, 07:50 AM   #6
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I agree with either a loose wire in the plug or a poor connection in the socket.

You likely were pulling a good many amps on that side of the service and the connection just couldn't handle it.

The socket in the generator is replaceable.
You'll also need to check those connections as well.

I've gotten into the habit of just feeling plugs and connections for heat periodically.
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Old 07-27-2020, 08:08 AM   #7
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both of these may easily be found in HD or LOWES, but you'll have to do some searching for 'where' they keep the 'camping' electrical adapters/plugs.. I've found them in the plumbing section before!

the 50amp female outlet for the generator is probably a standard NEMA 14-50 outlet, found in the electrical outlets area....
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Old 07-27-2020, 09:17 AM   #8
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And I don't know if you do it, but never, ever plug or unplug under load. if there is a breaker, turn it off before you connect or disconnect. Doing so under load, even a small one, will cause an arc on the connector, which will impact the connection. Do it enough times, and the connection will become so bad that it will do exactly what you have.

Goes for both sides too. Plug in, then turn on. Turn off, then unplug.

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Old 07-27-2020, 09:47 AM   #9
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I have had this happen to the dog bone adapters on my second one. When mine melts the plug some, i get a new RENOGY DOG BONE from Home Depot online 15.00 cheap. Free ship to store. You have to put in Renogy to find it on line. Try a new one then make a decision on source of problem. Dog bone adapters dont last very long.
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Old 07-27-2020, 10:26 AM   #10
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FYI: Thanks everyone for your input. I am on hold from Champion customer service.

1. I had the generator plugged in for about 2 weeks and would turn it on for a couple of late afternoon hours a few times to run the AC's.

2. I did ensure that I plugged it in to the generator firmly / completely. However, I do recollect it felt like the area behind the faceplate "gave a little". Don't know how to describe it better than that. The connection to the Fiver is clean.

3. It probably had been run about 12 hours or so since the last time I looked at the plug in.

4. I think (but don't know) that corrosion on the plut is the most likely culprit. The dealer installed system did not allow us to put that plug in inside so I hillbilly covered it with a zip lock bag for our travels which probably didn't completely protect it.
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Old 07-27-2020, 10:27 AM   #11
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wasn't finished... hit the wrong key

Going forward I will use the anti-corrosion goo on the prongs and find a better way to weather protect the plug in.
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Old 07-27-2020, 10:53 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AntonJ View Post
Going forward I will use the anti-corrosion goo on the prongs and find a better way to weather protect the plug in.
Just a word of note:

Folks using the mobile app DO NOT see individual post titles.

Looking at your post on a mobile app DID NOT include this line... wasn't finished... hit the wrong key
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Old 07-27-2020, 12:19 PM   #13
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Tail

I would also suggest you make yourself a short tail so it, rather than the generator socket, burns up next time. And there will be a next time. I have replaced three out of four cable ends, cheap Chinese parts.
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Old 07-27-2020, 12:57 PM   #14
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I would also suggest you make yourself a short tail so it, rather than the generator socket, burns up next time. And there will be a next time. I have replaced three out of four cable ends, cheap Chinese parts.
Help me out here. Wouldn’t a faulty connection between the tail and the generator still be able to destroy the generator socket? Also, wouldn’t more cords—and connections—in the line between the generator and the RV create more opportunity for faulty connections?
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Old 07-27-2020, 01:02 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by eye95 View Post
Help me out here. Wouldn’t a faulty connection between the tail and the generator still be able to destroy the generator socket? Also, wouldn’t more cords—and connections—in the line between the generator and the RV create more opportunity for faulty connections?
Yes, yes and yes.
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Old 07-27-2020, 05:28 PM   #16
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Take that panel off and see if the back of the receptacle looks like the one below. If it has the four screws in the inner corners you can buy a standard replacement and replace it. Generator Outlet Receptacle 14-50R

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Old 07-27-2020, 05:46 PM   #17
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Thanks, I have a replacement from Champion on the way. I bought a new plug and anti corrosion goo at th Hardware store. We’ll see if I can follow directions. Just call me Sparky!
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Old 07-27-2020, 05:53 PM   #18
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This product will NOT help bad wire connections to the back of the plug end problems, but it will help prevent bad prong to plug connections due to corrosion... and help keep corrosion ( moisture) problems at bay
I use it on both plug and receptacle each time I plug into a new outlet...

Use it on trailer to TV connectors also.
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Old 07-28-2020, 06:36 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
My guess, since the plug end (on the wire) is after market, is that there was a loose connection on that blade. The arcing in the plug heated up the blade which melted the socket in the generator.

If you are handy (and you most likely are since you made your extension cord), the socket is an easy replacement.

If I am wrong and that is a CAMCO factory made cord, then I would have a long talk with them.
I agree with you that the most likely culprit was the connection of the wire inside that Camco Head.

If that was a Camco factory cord it would not have the screws on the bottom to hold the two halves of the head together.

Now he needs both a new head and a new receptacle on his generator.
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