I'm at a campground and have a _very_ slow internet connection so I've (temporarily) given up on searching the forum and just gonna ask here ...
I'm plugged into 50-Amp service but my Bounder's internal EMS system is showing 30 amp service. This is my first use of my new surge protector. It's the 50 amp surge guard, and it shows both red line lights, and the RV power light. Everything's working fine but why would I show only on 30 amps?
I may have my ammeter with me ... if I do, how would I use it to see what's really at the campground service, or out of the SurgeGuard?
Could something be wrong with the SurgeGuard causing this?
Would it be safe for me to plug the RV straight into the campground service without the SurgeGuard, as a diagnostic?
Looking at the 50 amp receptacle, the ground and netural wires are in the center, with the two "Hot" wires on the left and right.
You should have 120 volts between the hot wires and the ground or netural wires. And have 240 volts between the two hot wires.
If you have 120 volts from each hot to ground, and 0 volts between the two hot wires, then that would tell the EMS that you are on a 30 amps service. It is also incorrect wiring, becasue for some reason the wiring is not set-up correctly.
If you plan on running two A/C units, I would ask for another site, and check to see if you have 240 volts (well 210 - 250 is OK) between the two outside receptacle connections. If you will not be using a lot of electrical power, then it really will not matter much.
So if you can measure the voltage to the RV, let me know what you find.
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
The breakers at the power pole and in your RV are the "ganged" type that means if one side trips both sides will trip but that doesn't always happen. To start reset the breakers at the power pole and in the RV if no help you will have to use an AC volt meter to find out where you lost 1/2 of the incoming power.
As someone said looking at the power pole the left and right side are the power (hot) sides and you should have 240vac measuring between these points.
Yes you can bypass the surge protector as a test.
Most campgrounds have a maintenance person that can check there side for correct power.
Garry1p
1990 Holiday Rambler Aluma Lite XL
454 on P-30 Chassis
1999 Jeep Cherokee sport
the CG may be using the same phase for both sides of the plug. So your internal system sees this is though you are using a 30a service with a crossover/reducer.
* This post was
edited 04/12/08 03:09pm by flhtci-rider *
2006 Scepter
2008 24' Haulmark EDGE
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And enough solar power so I never have to start the Gen Set
I have an Intellitec energy management system. It also started to not recognize 50 amp. service. It recognized the generator and 30 amps, but not 50 amps. I called the Manufacture and they said that the only fix was to replace a $400 board. That was a couple of years ago, the board is probably twice that now.
This represents the proper wiring of a 50 amp outlet (I am assuming the "odd" (round) pin is on the bottom IIRC that's where it goes)
Now, R and L refer to the two legs of the 120/240 volt park electrical system
Some parks, when they "Upgraded" to 50 amps from 30 amps decided not to spend all that money to run new wires.. So instead of the diamond you have above they wired both "R" and "L" leads to the same leg so you have "R R" or "L L" instead of "L R"
The EMS measures the L-R voltage, if it is ZERO, you have 30 amps IF it's over 200, you have 50 amps
your surge protector measures L-N and R-N, 120 volts in both cases, It may also measure R-G or L-G (or both) again, 120 volts so everything is good. It may also measure N-G ZERO is good here
So What do you test? With the meter set to AC VOLTS at least 250 Measure the side to side voltage at the park outlet.. I'm banking on zero here. Or right close to it.
If that is what you find.. COMPLAIN
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
NGRRFan wrote: Using an amp meter is only going to show what you are drawing, not what is available.
Ditto and the other post about checking voltage between the two hots etc is spot on.
88 Gulf Stream 34' Sun Vista, Ford 460, Edelbrock Perfomer carb, Thorley headers
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The EMS looks for the "OUT OF PHASE" 2 HOT lines going to the receptacle (3 o clock and 9 o clock slots). If you do not have the out of phase wires, then the EMS assumes it is 30 amp service and will act accordingly. Your CG probably has "Cheated" 50 amp service, which is NOT really 50 amp service. They are using one phase and then splitting that one phase to both sides of your receptacle. So, your CG is using a 50 amp breaker to supply your post. TRUE 50 amp service is really a total of 100 amps, 50 amp on each leg. If they are charging for 50 amp service, you are paying for a service THEY are not providing. Doug
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2006 Scepter
