DogTrainer
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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I've noticed that my prongs on the plug are pitted a little and one is loose. What is the rule of thumb on changing those.
You ever change your plugs?
A fellow capmer said they get loose and then catch fire or melt
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gktsuda1956
Washington
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Which plug are we talking about?? Truck to trailer??? or trailer to shore power??
Glenn
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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I just changed mine after a trip to a CG last year where I had to use my AC a lot and the plug got fairly warm. I went with a Marinco plug because their products are good quality generally. The plug is solid brass and uses a crush style of wire connection rather than the poorer, "wrap the wire around the screw" type. I figured Marinco would be a better product than the Camco.
They also make a 50A plug.
Marinco 30A
* This post was
edited 02/17/12 03:00pm by ScottG *
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Bob Landry
Austin, texas
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DogTrainer wrote:I've noticed that my prongs on the plug are pitted a little and one is loose. What is the rule of thumb on changing those.
You ever change your plugs?
A fellow capmer said they get loose and then catch fire or melt
If they are anything but smooth, shiney and tight, replace them. They arc and cause burn marks and create resistance causeing the system to draw more current and the cord to overheat. The inlet on the trailer also needs to be checked and if threre is any discoloration indicating heat, replace it also, yo have some bad connections.
This problem can just about be completely eliminated by insuring the breakers on the pedestal are off when you plug into it. Plugging it in a live socket will always cause an arc.
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beemerphile1
I'm 57, I'm not a
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If you are talking about the shore power plug, you are past due. Change it immediately.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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some of the replacement ends are too big for the opening so You may have to put in another storage hole of a box with a locking door. The only one I could find even at home depot was too big for my little opening to store it out of the way. for a while I had to duck tape it to the side of the Tt when I drove down the road. I got tired of that and put in one with a larger opening.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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old guy wrote:some of the replacement ends are too big for the opening so You may have to put in another storage hole of a box with a locking door. The only one I could find even at home depot was too big for my little opening to store it out of the way. for a while I had to duck tape it to the side of the Tt when I drove down the road. I got tired of that and put in one with a larger opening.
Oh thats a very good point I hadn't thought off. I have installed a 50A size door so no problem that way. That Marinco plug may be too big to get through the smaller hole. Too bad, it's a nice plug.
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ggardne2
Livonia, MI
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If pitted and loose I would change them before the plug overheats and melts or catches on fire. After changing the plug end, you may consider purchasing a 50 - 30 amp adapter if you camp with any frequency at campgrounds that have 50 amp plugs. Whenever the option is available I use a 50 - 30 amp adapter at campgrounds ... the 50 amp plugs do not get used as often as the 30 amp plugs do and the larger prongs are not as susceptible to over heating.
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DogTrainer
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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thanks all, it was the trailer to shore power plug.
i am at fault for the pitting, most people dont realize that they need to kill the pedastal power by tripping the breaker before putting the plug in. will do in the future.
and i will order the plug you had recommended in the thread.
with everything else we talk about we never seem to discuss routine maintainence on the electrical system or plugs.
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