RV park power

[Shadow Catcher]

What is your experience with RV park power. There are some very expensive surge protectors for RV's and the currently running thread on a power cord failure started me wondering.

[Nobody]

I have one of these little 'jewels' in the TD - use it at every campground power post before 'plugging in'. If it don't 'read' correctly I don't use the hook-up. Had a C/G power post in upper NY state 'fry' a power converter in my P/U camper a few years ago so I've been 'gun-shy' ever since. These little test plugs are available for just a few bucks at Harbor Freight. Probably better quality ones are available elsewhere but this one has worked for me.



See more info here http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php

[planovet]

While that is a great product (that I also use) to let you know if the outlet is miswired, it won't help with detecting power surges. I don't know how you would protect against that except for using a surge protector. So far I have not had any such problems at a campsite.

[madjack]

...I am sure a surge protector can help in some situations but one of the more common problems I have read/heard about with CG power is brownout or low voltage conditions which may(or may not) have been a contributing factor with Mike's problem of melting the inlet internals...less voltage means a higher amp draw for a given power consumption.........
madjack

[caseydog]

Here is a related thread.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 777#598777

CD

[len19070]

Electrical problems such as Voltage spikes, Brown outs or Low voltage, open grounds, Hot skins, reversed polarity and so on are NEVER the Campgrounds fault!

Just ask them, Most have never had anything like that happen there.

Happy Trails

Len

[mikeschn]

.less voltage means a higher amp draw for a given power consumption.........
madjack

So that's the reason...

Could the heavy rain have cause a voltage drop somewhere else in the campground, that affected us?

Mike...

[madjack]

...I would say quite possibly but I am not an electrical engineer, nor do I have any idea about what happened or caused it to happen. BUT one thing I have learned about electricity over the years is by it's very nature, electricity is unpredictable and no telling what actually happened that night................
madjack

[satch]

.less voltage means a higher amp draw for a given power consumption.........
madjack

So that's the reason...

Could the heavy rain have cause a voltage drop somewhere else in the campground, that affected us?

Mike...

If the rains caused a transformer to blow, others on the grid would have to cover the slack, causeing brown-out conditions. Just a thought since I'm no engineer either!

[ARKPAT]

Water and underground electrical wire are accidents waiting too happen !





Pat

PS: As Madjack sez !

[Corwin C]

Adding to Harvey's comment ... Along with the polarity checker, I have an inexpensive multimeter which stays in the trailer. It is priceless when diagnosing anything electrical. I verify that the voltage is between 110V. and 120V. I have personally seen voltages as low as 90V. and as high as 160V. at trailer parks.

Corwin