Recently I have either just noticed or experienced something I am not clear on. It started a couple months back while staying in an RV park on 50 amp power, where the Zantrex panel reported first low voltage on leg 1 which I cleared the error messages. Later the same day, it reported high voltage on leg 1, again I cleared. I never figured out what caused those. I changed to batteries, then to 30 amp, but again I got the error messages. I went back to 50 amp for the AC.
On another trip, the first day or 2 the same errors kept coming up. Then on the 3rd day, all seemed well and with another 4 RV parks visited, the problem has not appeared again.
However, this last week, while thinking about this issue (which I don't think has gone away on its own) I noticed while on the park power 50 amp, leg 1 doesn't reflect any draw of power, while leg 2 will vary according to demand. I've looked for fuses blown...can't find anything.
The questions are several, but basically should not both legs be drawing and using power? Or when demand reaches certain levels on leg 2, then does leg 1 kick-in?
What have I missed, what have I damaged? I'm trying to stay away from taking the coach to service as it will cost at least $172 just to be told how the system works. That's where you my friends come in. Please educate this less that electrical genus please.
When on 50 amp and you do NOT see one leg showing a draw, you are probably NOT on TRUE 50 amp service. You are on "Cheated" 50 amp service. On cheated, the legs are on the same phase instead of 2 seperate phases which will give you true 50 amp service (True 50 amp is a total of 100 amps-- 50 on EACH leg and each leg is out of phase). Cheated 50 amp is usually a TOTAL of 50 amp service , not 100 amps. Doug
Is everything working on the coach? Each "leg" feeds a different set of items in your MoHo. For example leg 1 could feed the inverter/converter and one AC unit, while leg 2 would feed the other AC and maybe the microwave. If nothing was on that is on leg 1, then your readings are correct.
Most interesting Dougrainer.. I did not know that could/would be done! Wilpower, yes, everthing seems to work, all outlets, appliances, even a small 1500 radiant heater we use on occasion. Next trip out, I will load up everthing and see if it draws power that way.. Thanks and Happy New Year to All.
On my coach, when connected to a proper 50amp service, my electrical service panel divides the two legs separately to two subpanels. Therefore I will only draw power from the leg that has circuits that are using power.
By looking at my electrical panel, I can see which circuits will draw power from which leg.
In my case, my water heater, rear A/C, and washer/dryer are on leg 1, most everything else is on leg 2. So, I will only see power drawn on leg 1 when one (or more) of those appliances is on.
There is nothing in my coach which “balances” the loads or draws from one until capacity is reached and then draws from the other (when connected to a proper 50amp service).
However, when connected to a 30amp service, my coach of course does share the power across both sides of my panel. The same thing will occur if I am connected to an improperly wired 50amp service. That is to say, if both legs of a 50amp service are improperly wired to the same phase, then my coach will treat the connection as if it were a 30amp service.
I have experienced an RV park where one of the two circuit breakers providing 50amp service was bad. My coach indicated that I was connected to 50amp service but in fact, part of my coach was running off of my inverter (until the battery level dropped and things suddenly came to my attention).
I now use an external EMS/surge protector from Progressive Industries. If voltage on one leg drops, ALL of the power to the coach is shut off to make me aware of the problem. By plugging this external device into the parks’ power pedestal, I can see if there is a problem before I even pull into the space.
In your case, Travelr, it sounds as though you may have run into a bad power pedestal at that RV park and your current (no pun intended) issue is not an issue at all.
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If you have a way of checking voltage, I would start at the power pedestal and go from there. I know you said it was mulitple campgrounds but I trust my stuff before I trust theirs. Theirs is also easier to check compared to yours. If you find that theirs is OK, make sure the power is off and I would start checking the lugs where the rubber cord enters for tightness. With the cover still open, turn the power back on ...... do you still have the same voltage on each leg to the ground/neutral and then between the two legs? Once you know the cord is OK, go to the next connection. Turn off power, check the lugs for tightness, turn on power, check for correct power. Repeat with the next connection. The voltage numbers should be the same on each leg from the power pedestal all the way to the main panel inside the RV.
Different EMS systems work differently. If I connect into a "cheated" 50 amp service it detects it as a 30 amp service because there is no voltage (phase) difference betweeen the two hot legs. I can only get 50 amp service in the coach when I am on true 50 amp service from the park where there is a 220-240 volt difference between the two hot legs or I am on generator power. I understand that the Zantrex sysstem works differently. I have a Progressive Surge Protector that I use that also will analyze the pedestal voltage and connections and not let faulty power be supplied to the coach. It has saved me a few times.
Badeye
"No one can guarantee success, only effort."
Bob & Fran
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 40 ft DP
2002 Dodge Durango
Ready Brute Tow Bar
Ready Brake Tow Brake
FMCA F324606
When I am plugged into 50 amp service, and notice that one leg is not using any amps, I usually find a breaker that has tripped in one of my two 110volt AC panels.
When all is working correctly, power usuage is split up equally/or near equally, between the two legs.
Look for a tripped breaker. If all the breakers are okay, check your 50 amp service cord for a loose wire/connection.
Thanks all.... Your comments are taken to heart. I'll begin by check the source cables, look for loose or broken connectors, etc. I feel much better now. I never realized there were cheated 50 amp connections. The park where this all started was nice but more designed for smaller RV, coaches and tent camping. They had only a couple places where 50 amp and a 38' DP would fit.
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