Power problems

ichabod123 · 04-29-2015, 08:32 PM

I just hooked up to 50 amp service after being on an extension cord for a month. Everything worked fine before, just low power. After I threw the switch, everything came on except the refrigerator (running on batteries), the island plugs and the GFI circuit (outside plugs and bathroom plugs)

I checked all the breakers and fuses

There is either a breaker somewhere I dont know about or one of the 50 amp legs isn't working

Can anyone tell me how to check the outlet? Is is a new circuit. PGE just energized it and I need to check if the powered it right before calling them

Help!!!

Radio_Flyer · 04-29-2015, 08:48 PM

I have a GFI in the bathroom, resets the outside plug, island and bathroom outlets. Fridge might not be on Auto or it may be on the same GFI. Bad leg on the circuit shouldn't cause a semi-working condition.

**piper guy** · 04-29-2015, 08:50 PM

Do you have a Progressive Industries Surge Gard ? That would tell you if they wired the outlet right. If I remember correctly, the wiring for a 50a RV connection is different than a 50a House plug like a dryer.
I also think the fridge and the island are on the same power leg. I know there is a GFCI reset in the bathroom, can't remember if the island also has one.

Bill n Diana · 04-29-2015, 09:26 PM

I thought the 50 plugs were wired the same for house and RV.

I know the 30 amp plugs ARE differenet from house and RV.

Hmmmm....

Bill n Diana

**Blenhardt** · 04-30-2015, 02:32 AM

Here is a link of how 50 amp service to an RV is made. link

Shane Wood · 04-30-2015, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichabod123

I just hooked up to 50 amp service after being on an extension cord for a month. Everything worked fine before, just low power. After I threw the switch, everything came on except the refrigerator (running on batteries), the island plugs and the GFI circuit (outside plugs and bathroom plugs)

I checked all the breakers and fuses

There is either a breaker somewhere I dont know about or one of the 50 amp legs isn't working

Can anyone tell me how to check the outlet? Is is a new circuit. PGE just energized it and I need to check if the powered it right before calling them

Help!!!

do you have a residential fridge or the gas electric. If no residential it maybe that the gf I is tripped. Push the reset button and see if these things come on. You can check the 50 a plug at the pedestal with a voltmeter. You should get 240 volts between the 2 hot legs and 120 volts between each hot leg and the neutral or ground.

almcc · 04-30-2015, 02:19 PM

A couple of comments and a long shot possibility.

Go back to your extension cord. If everything is working then it's a problem with your new hookup. If you still have stuff not working then it's an issue with the RV.

Here is the long shot. We had a similar failure and the GFI in the bathroom wouldn't reset. I found the problem, there was a small leak from the black tank flusher back flow preventer that's located under the bathroom sink, the water went down the water pipes and into the electrical plug located in the basement at the curbside. I dried out the plug and the GFI reset. That GFI also sends power to the central vac, is that also off on your unit?

One of my projects is to remove/relocate that preventer, I think it's also giving me some smelly odours in that area.

homeguy · 04-30-2015, 05:59 PM

After checking the power at the pedestal, I would re-check the breakers, including the main. Even if they look like they are fine, turn them off and then back on. Also, pull the appropriate breaker and heck to make sure the wire is tight on the back.

Elliott & Vicky · 05-03-2015, 08:36 PM

In my opinion, anyone who travels without a Progressive Industries EMS or equivalent, if there is one, is looking for trouble. The second campsite we stayed at had a miswired pedestal. It may have saved me what I paid for it in repairs.

almcc · 05-03-2015, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homeguy

After checking the power at the pedestal, I would re-check the breakers, including the main. Even if they look like they are fine, turn them off and then back on. Also, pull the appropriate breaker and heck to make sure the wire is tight on the back.

A good suggestion!

We hit a state park on our way back from the south, it had one of those 50 amp breakers that only have one "switch" (not a ganged 50 amp breaker). One side was dead, the surge guard would not start up. I reset the breaker a couple of times and everything was good.

5th_Time · 05-04-2015, 01:59 AM

Had this happen once to me.

Turned out that this one time, I didn't turn the 50 cord to the lock (few degrees to the right after inserting it). I have the round connectors on my RL. Embarrassing I called the super and then found the issue while he was standing next to me.

Once you plug in, remember you have to turn the cord to that lock position or you only get one leg. I'm sure everyone knows & checks this.

travelin' texans · 05-04-2015, 04:53 AM

Oddly had the same power issue yesterday, we moved locations everything working plugged in at next location & half the trailer no power. Start at pedestal with meter & finally found that somehow one of the wires came loose in cord, had to replace cord end & all is well. May want to ohm your cord, I certainly wouldn't of guess that would've been the problem.

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