Hanging Surge Protector off Dog Bone at Pedestal

ArkRVHog

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So we landed in a camp spot with only 50amp service versus the 30 our rig needs. No problem. Pull out the dog bone, plug into the pedestal, attach my Progressive Dynamics surge protector (let it go through its check process) then plug in my 30 amp line...all good.

DW and I are relaxing in our unit for hours when all of a sudden no power. I check all breakers, both internal & external, nothing has thrown. Strangely, my surge protector is not showing any error and seems to be working fine so I have good power at the pedestal. Then I wonder if my surge protector is still acting wonky and plug in my 30 amp cord directly to the dog bone...everything then powers up just fine.

But I then notice that the weight of my surge protector hanging from the dog bone is causing the 50 amp connection into the pedestal to pull out of the plug maybe a quarter of an inch (actually a little less.) I put some rubber pads under my surge protector to "prop it up" (no more hanging) and everything has been working perfectly ever since. Haven't ever run into this issue before so thought I'd share hoping to help the next guy save a couple of hours and frustration troubleshooting!
 

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Every pedestal is somewhat different (different manufacturers/different plug access) and one never knows how long/deep the connections are in an outlet or how deep the plug enters. It's quite possible the weight of the surge protector pulled the blades of the plug out of the outlet enough to just not make contact. One would hope the blade would insert far enough into the mating contacts to make a good connection but I've seen several melted plugs/outlets where on a 1-1/2" long blade, just the tip of the blade burned/melted suggesting otherwise. It's also possible the contacts in the receptacle have issues. I've used a bungie cord on my shore cable connection on more than one occasion to ensure it wasn't pulling too heavily.
 
I do that quite often, mostly because I don't like the looks of the 30 amp receptacle in the pedestal and never had that issue. My 50 to 30 dogbone is a bit long so my surge protactor is usually sitting on the ground. I wouldn't think a quarter inch or less would typically be an issue. Sounds like something going on with the 50 amp pedestal socket.
 
The outlets in pedestals at campgrounds take a beating and can be finicky. It is possible that the outer section of the contacts are burned or corroded due to misuse or the contact pressure on the contacts is too light due to bending. Many campers connect and disconnect without turning off the breaker.
 
Yeah….that portable surge protector that the OP has, is a big weight to hang off the actual plug connector. Like mentioned, bungee cords or whatever, should be used to eliminate any weight pulling on the actual plug. My surge protector is mounted inside behind my power panel. I have the remote display where I can view it from the inside to monitor things anytime.
 
That's an EMS rather than a surge protector and they are heavy.

We typically put a storage box or boxes under the EMS to keep the weight off the connection. I've been mocked for supporting it, so it's nice to know that the weight can cause problems.
 
Hanging anything supported only by the plug is not advisable. That is the way loose connections develop,
either burning the male pins or the female receptacle. They are electrical connections and NOT mechanical connections. PLEASE provide some strain relief.

Ever wonder why campground posts receptacles are often loose? ^^^^^above is why.

Bob
 
As the OP, thanks for the great responses. Sounds like some of you have seen this issue before. It's one of the first times we have had to incorporate the 50-30amp dog bone in our connection. I know now...the EMS hanging freely from the pedestal connection is a no-no moving forward.
 
Count me in for using a bungee cord to hold my Progressive 50A EMS to higher-up pedestals, and if the EMS touches ground I'll support it on boards.
 
The weight of the portable Progressive Industries EMS hanging from the pedestal was concerning and it became one of the reasons I switched to a hard-wired EMS, plus the fact that someone ripped off my portable one.
 
I use a case-hardened gun cable lock on my EMS. I loop it through the tab on the power box to put a lock on the lid (no I don't lock the lid shut). Often, the cable will support the EMS and take the weight off of the plug and cord.
 
We often stop at old campgrounds. We are not particular while traveling.

We find an ems a necessity. Always use bungie cords to assure my good dogbone stays plugged into their crappy plug.

I have seen some bad ones. One fell apart when I opened the box!
 
I've noticed that the shore power cord has a twist lock at the trailer (or boat) but RV park power poles only have a press in feature. The better ones use the power box lid to secure the cord to the outlet. If you're adding gimmicks like "surge protectors" (still waiting to read about a "surge") you may need to cobble a way to secure the cord in the box. "Gimmick" should give a hint about how I feel about these. :)

-- Chuck
 
Love or hate an EMS is your choice. Mine saved my bacon more than once from voltage spikes from nearby lightning strikes and more common low voltage at campgrounds with older electrical systems.
 
Yep, my EMS has saved my rig probably a half dozen times. Not from a "surge" Chuck, but from brownouts. At one campground on Cape Cod, the AC kept shutting off, only one on not both. Campground had recently upgraded their power panels just a month prior, so they were perplexed that I was having a problem. They first suggested that I disconnect my Progressive Ind. EMS. That is the same suggestion I got for the other brownouts too. I told Cape Cod and the others that I trust my EMS more than their power supply and pedestal. The Cape Cod CG had some bad breakers in their "brand new" power panel, the problem was solved, and my rig's electrical supply was not fried.
 
As I remember we have had several events every year. About 8-10.

Our PD ems died. They sent us a new one.

If you travel sort of casually as we do I think an ems is a good idea. Little old family campgrounds.

If you only stop at expensive new campgrounds maybe not.
 
Me too. What Sherman12 said up there^^^^^^^^^^
I’ve experienced the exact same situation with our camping adventures. I love love love my permanently installed Progressive Industries EMS unit.
 
I've noticed that the shore power cord has a twist lock at the trailer (or boat) but RV park power poles only have a press in feature. The better ones use the power box lid to secure the cord to the outlet. If you're adding gimmicks like "surge protectors" (still waiting to read about a "surge") you may need to cobble a way to secure the cord in the box. "Gimmick" should give a hint about how I feel about these. :)

-- Chuck
There are maybe some very cheap surge protectors that would qualify as a "gimmick" but any quality product like I've bought and many others helps protect the thousands of dollars of electrical equipment installed on most any RV.
 
I have a 30a EMS and I strap around the plug and the box. I also lock the EMS to the pole with a chain.
 
How do y'all know a surge protector "saved" anything? Curious, not a challenge :) .

Only way I can imagine at a campground would be if several folks without them had their campers damaged in the same incident yours had no damage. Any incidents like this for y'all using surge protectors?

My "never needed it" is just as scientific without similar data.

Just like I can credit the lack of mouse damage inside my Roo with the presence of Jacki, my plush Jackalope which terrifies mice. Jacki has lived there for years and I'm yet to experience mouse damage but others -- without Jackalopes! -- have had mouse damage. Heck, now that I think about it Jacki may be keeping surge out of the trailer as well.
750x-9361.Jpg

-- Chuck
 

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