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01-20-2019, 10:46 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Estero
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #23302
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Live Male Cord
This is my third year owning the trailer, and I had always had this yellow cord with a male end coming from back behind the breaker box inside the trailer. I never had any issues until today when it hit metal and it sparked and shut my break off. I have now taped it all up with electrical tape, but I don't understand why this would be live. I see it going into my breaker when I open up the one grill. I do have photos but can't seem to post them here. Thank you
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01-20-2019, 12:03 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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First, welcome to the forum! We need a little more info. Did you buy the rig used. If so you'll have to get back in there and see what it's wired to and then maybe someone can figure out why. It doesn't sound like it's original, but it would also help to know the year and model of your rig.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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01-20-2019, 12:29 PM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Estero
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #23302
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Thank you for your reply. Yes I did buy it used, and the seller who was not the original owner knew very little about the trailer. After doing some more research, I think maybe they hard wired a plug into the circuit breaker to run a TV, which would have been in the storage area. Why they would have A male plug, as apprised to a female plug for a TV, is questioning. I have a 2004 MT 2995. I wish I could just add one picture.
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01-20-2019, 12:39 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Moultrie
Posts: 250
M.O.C. #20747
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Do you think someone wired the cord directly into the panel so as to deliver 120v current to panel via a 120v extension cord. Dangerous way to do it but would be cheap way to get temp ac into the rig.
__________________
Frank and Marilyn
2014 3402RL, Sailun S637/Disc Brakes
2015 F350 CC LWB SRW 6.7L PSD FX4
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01-20-2019, 12:39 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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Some people run what they called a cheater cord thinking they could get 20 amps more from the pedestal for a high usage item like an air conditioner or high out put electric heater. They would wire it to the output side of the breaker. When using that arrangement they would shut the RV breaker off and energize the wire to the high usage device via an extension cord to the pedestal 20amp outlet. It was more common on units wired for 30 amp service.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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01-20-2019, 02:31 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,700
M.O.C. #12947
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Whatever that cord goes to, it must be removed because it is definitely a serious safety hazard. If you happened to touch that while it’s energized while you are standing on wet ground, you likely will never again be able to post on this site with what happened to you.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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01-20-2019, 04:31 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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That is stupid. Why would anyone leave a hot male plug on a camper. If you just had to do that you make it so you can unplug each end. Even then it’s dangerous. I had a cord like this to use in an emergency one time. I ran one from my generator to my home while the power was out. If you used this and someone say a kid unplugged it at the pedestal they could be electrocuted. You need to get rid of this cord.
Lynwood
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01-21-2019, 04:48 AM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Estero
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #23302
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Live male plug
I am so grateful that I got on here and asked. I will definitely have it removed! Thank you all so much.
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01-21-2019, 05:55 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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just get rid of it.
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01-21-2019, 06:14 AM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Estero
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #23302
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Live male plug
I was just told, that the cord that is soldered into the breaker box can be cut and capped and it will be absolutely safe, and will cut the cost down, do you not have to play around with the breaker box . Any opinions on that?
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01-21-2019, 07:33 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I'd remove it properly even if I had to pay to have it done. No telling what other things may have been messed with in there.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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01-21-2019, 07:40 AM
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#12
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Estero
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #23302
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Live Male Plug
Good point....thank you.
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01-27-2019, 01:25 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
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It sounds like a wrong type of connection to allow power from a generator.
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01-27-2019, 02:09 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Anaconda
Posts: 27
M.O.C. #18095
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Make sure shore power is disconnected when you cut into that connector line
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01-27-2019, 03:03 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Simi Valley
Posts: 28
M.O.C. #9024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dade
I was just told, that the cord that is soldered into the breaker box can be cut and capped and it will be absolutely safe, and will cut the cost down, do you not have to play around with the breaker box . Any opinions on that?
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Now I'm confused. I have a male plug coming out of my rig because I need to plug into shore power with a male plug! Isn't that normal? But, the line runs to an auto-transfer switch in the TT which should disconnect the shore power side when the generator is started. If that's the case, then could it be the auto-transfer switch is defective?
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01-27-2019, 04:26 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GEugeneS
Now I'm confused. I have a male plug coming out of my rig because I need to plug into shore power with a male plug! Isn't that normal? But, the line runs to an auto-transfer switch in the TT which should disconnect the shore power side when the generator is started. If that's the case, then could it be the auto-transfer switch is defective?
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As well as I tell. The op has an extra male cable that is hot when the camper is plugged in. This amounts to an extension cord with a male end instead of a female end and that could be a shocking experience.
Lynwood
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01-27-2019, 06:14 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Fargo
Posts: 214
M.O.C. #19032
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If someone was reckless enough to wire that cord into your panel, and you are not comfortable enough to sort it all out... you should absolutely have the electrical system inspected. Who knows what else was done wrong or what shortcuts may have been taken!
Please have it looked at!
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01-27-2019, 10:05 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,952
M.O.C. #5651
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I am thinking the plug is just for keeping the batteries charged while stored (at home?). The owner probably just went in to the fuse panel and tapped in to the incoming lines. A simple, cheap but dangerous way to do things.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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01-28-2019, 06:04 AM
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#19
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New Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: OTISVILLE
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #18622
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Not seeing the setup it's hard to say but you could disconnect power to the unit (including inverter if equipped) then change plug end to a female end. You would then have an additional outlet to plug in whatever you need to.
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01-28-2019, 07:14 AM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perdido Key
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #16087
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You could make a female-to-female adapter. That would make it safe, and retain its future use.
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