Cannot Disconnect Electric from Campground

[roberthug]

We woke this morning with no electric. The issue was a poor connection of the electric cord to the RV. I tried to disconnect the electrical cord from the RV, but it wuld not release (it is not the srew on connector being on). I am at a loss of how to get it removed..... Wiggling the cord did get the electric back on, but I really wanted to remove the cord and replace it with a spare with the assumption that maybe something is wrong with the cord. The only thing I can think of to do at this point is remove the connector, but I wanted to see if anyone has other options or has had this issue.

[nomad297]

It sounds potentially dangerous to me. I think your connection is loose, causing arcing, which caused your male and female connections to weld together.

I would be very cautious and concerned that this could cause a fire.

Bruce

[roberthug]

I thought the same thing, so your conclusion is the same pull the connector and replace it?

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by roberthug

I thought the same thing, so your conclusion is the same pull the connector and replace it?

I’m not an electrician and I have never had to mess with a power connection on an RV, so I don’t have any more advice to give you.

Others will come along soon with a solution.

Bruce

[formerFR]

you probably have a LOOSE Neutral, and the arcing has melted your plastic connector within the RV's side of the connector, fusing the two together.

You'll need to trip the main OUTLET breaker at the power pedestal(otherwise, UNPLUG that end of your shore cord), then work to remove the shore cord connection at the RV, which may ultimately break some parts, but it has to be done. You'll then see the problem and can replace the head with a new one - it's not hard to rewire a replacement part on the end. Most any rv store or dealer has them.

[Flybob]

Removed misunderstood issue.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Flybob

You have a 50/50 chance the problem was caused by your cord, but either way, the campground will need to replace the connector in the pedestal. My suggestion is contact the campground and have them come out and handle it. In a worse case situation, you may have to take the welded on campground outlet with you on your plug and later cut the end off and replace it. Please do not just remove the plug and leave as the next camper will most likely have a similar issue.

Could be wrong but me thinks you are at the wrong end of the OP's issue.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Could be wrong but me thinks you are at the wrong end of the OP's issue.

You’re not wrong.

Bruce

[Flybob]

Not you. Me just not enough coffee this am , plus just helped another camper with pedestal issue two weeks ago.

[roberthug]

Thanks for everyone's input. It pretty much confirms what I thought. It is great to have resources to bounce things off of.

[Bama Rambler]

As you've probably surmised by now, the plug blade(s) have welded themselves into the receptacle.

If you haven't gotten them apart yet, you need to be sure that the pedestal breaker is off. It could take a good bit of force to get them apart, depending on how bad it's welded together.

[Trailer traveler]

I have had the same thing happen. Had to unscrew the outlet from the RV. The hard plastic of the twist lock was melted and deformed. After cutting the wires, there was not enough slack to connect a new outlet. A couple of RV techs recommended splicing in 10 AWG stranded wires to connect to the RV inlet. The wire in the RV was solid. Most of the RV receptacles have a push in connection that tightens with a set screw. They said that the single strand wire does not compress and it is hard to get it tight enough to not vibrate loose. The stranded wire is much easier to get a good connection that will stay tight.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

As you've probably surmised by now, the plug blade(s) have welded themselves into the receptacle.

If you haven't gotten them apart yet, you need to be sure that the pedestal breaker is off. It could take a good bit of force to get them apart, depending on how bad it's welded together.

Rather than try and force the connection apart you might consider unscrewing that connection from the outside of your camper (typically four screws at the 4 corners of the connector) to be able to pull it out far enough to unscrew screws attaching the connector from the camper wiring.

By removing it this way you will not damage the camper, and you would have to disconnect it anyway to install a new one.

The post immediately above mine details the same process and a work around if there is not enough slack.

On our camper i have access to the back of that connector from inside a cabinet which would help make it easier. Once the 4 outside screws are removed you should be able to twist it in order to easily unscrew the set screws to release it.

[Canadiancrew]

Originally Posted by nomad297

It sounds potentially dangerous to me. I think your connection is loose, causing arcing, which caused your male and female connections to weld together.

I would be very cautious and concerned that this could cause a fire.

Bruce

Yes. Get the campground out to look at it.

[dcheatwood]

Sounds like the pedestal has a loose wire and the arching has welded you plug to their outlet.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Sounds like the pedestal has a loose wire and the arching has welded you plug to their outlet.

OP said:

We woke this morning with no electric. The issue was a poor connection of the electric cord to the RV. I tried to disconnect the electrical cord from the RV, but it wuld not release (it is not the srew on connector being on). I am at a loss of how to get it removed..... Wiggling the cord did get the electric back on, but I really wanted to remove the cord and replace it with a spare with the assumption that maybe something is wrong with the cord. The only thing I can think of to do at this point is remove the connector, but I wanted to see if anyone has other options or has had this issue.

So the issue doesn't seem to be with the campground's equipment.

[Herk7769]

Please remember that these connections to the RV are push THEN twist. Folks forget to twist to lock the blades into the socket before you screw the lock ring tight.

That will prevent this from recurring.

[gbaldwin]

Hmm. Never knew ther was the twist. Always just plugged in and then turned plastic locking piece.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by gbaldwin

Hmm. Never knew ther was the twist. Always just plugged in and then turned plastic locking piece.

The twist, at least for the 30 amp connection, is very subtle. Probably in the range of 15 degrees but it definitely helps create a more stable connection.

[bubbles]

Sometimes ignorance is not bliss.