We left home on Thursday evening with our tt headed to Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, LA. This would be our first year anniversary with our tt having spent our 1st night in Chicot on Memorial Day weekend 1 year ago. The park was fairly empty when we arrived but we knew by Saturday that would change. We enjoyed the peace and quite on Friday even though the temperture was about 93.
Everything was going well and we noticed the park starting to fill up. We had one of the more secluded spots with no other sites near us. We actually thought we were fortunate to have this site UNTIL the campground filled up on Saturday.
It seems that we were on the end of electric service and on Saturday evening during the hottest part of the day the a/c unit in the tt tripped the inside breaker. I'm definitely not an electrician (don't even know how to spell it) but I looked at the plug in meter that I have plugged inside the wall plug and noticed the volts was near 104. I flipped the breaker back on and the a/c came back on but the meter dropped to 100. It tripped the breaker shortly after and I cut the a/c off. I reported the problem and the park ranger came out and check the electric box outside with his meter and it was 106 volts.
He said that with so many campers that it was nothing he could do to help and that he was sorry but maybe later that evening it would pick back up. Around 8:30 that night it was still at 106 volts inside so we decided not to try to run the a/c and damage it. (It was still 85 degrees outside)
Now most would say "sweat it out". I thought about that BUT my wife is somewhat new to camping as am I and the kids, and I didn't want this to ruin future camping trips so we decided to drive home (120 miles) and I would return the next day to pack up and bring the camper home even though we were booked thru Monday. I think we made a wise choice and I hope we did no damage to the a/c or anything else.
Sorry you had to pull up camp early.
You did right, saving your A/C....and saving the $$$$ it would have cost to have it repaired/replaced. Not to mention upsetting DW....that would cost you even more!!
Better luck next time!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
Sounds like you were on the south side. We camped there a few monts ago the south side was maybe 25% ov capacity and line voltage was about 106. I told DW we will surely not come here in the summer when everyone is running the A/C and the park is full. I took a ride to the north side with my digital meter and the voltage was much better there.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
I didn't think about the voltage dropping like that with more folks in the park. I'm glad I carry my generator with me all the time now. Might need it one day.
I also glad I have a Class C now with a generator. The park we camp at on the 4th of July also has electrical issues. This year if it occurs, we will use the generator and the owners can kiss my grits...
Have a great time camping,
Terry
Please say a Prayer for my 12 month old Granddaughter VisitBella.com
An autoformer could be the best solution. We have had the same situation at Chicot. Beautiful park but it could really use a power upgrade. I hope you didn't damage your AC. Sometimes the damage shows up at a later date. You are wise to have the AC line monitor many don't, they often end up with serious damage to electronics.
LawMan02 wrote: Now most would say "sweat it out". I thought about that BUT my wife is somewhat new to camping as am I and the kids, and I didn't want this to ruin future camping trips so we decided to drive home
Speaking from personal experience, I say good choice. Had you decided to stay and 'sweat it out', this decision may have put your wife off camping. I love camping with DH but I have to be careful in very hot temps and NEED to escape to our a/c unit for an hour or so. It's unfortunate this trip was cut short, but there will be many more down the road. Hope your next trip goes great!
You make a good argument for installing a HUGHES or FRANKS autoformer.
Now:this would not solve the problem.. But it would make it "Somebody else's problem" instead of yours.
On edit:
I should add two things
1: Install the autoformer.. Some parks have rules against them and if you have one sitting out will ask you to either remove it or leave.. If it's installed they will never see it unless you tell 'em
2: Enough folks get autoformers and the park management will be encouraged to improve wiring in that section of the park.. Right after the old wires melt
* This post was
edited 05/26/08 02:05pm by wa8yxm *
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
tvman44 wrote: Sounds like you were on the south side. We camped there a few monts ago the south side was maybe 25% ov capacity and line voltage was about 106. I told DW we will surely not come here in the summer when everyone is running the A/C and the park is full. I took a ride to the north side with my digital meter and the voltage was much better there.
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