Electrical problem!

[jlemon]

We bought a 2018 3920FK back in March. Today I had a power issue, not sure if it was on the campgrounds side or camper side. The power dipped way down then kicked off and then came back on immediately. When the power dipped I heard the sound of an electrical short, at the time I was sitting on the couch with the electric pedestal right out side the window, so I am am not sure if that shorting sound came from the pedestal or somewhere in the camper.

I promptly began searching inside and outside the camper for the source of the sound. All breakers and fuses on the distribution center were intact, the only GFCI in the camper which is in the bathroom was not tripped. There was not a distinct smell of burnt electric components any where in or out of the camper.

The microwave, fireplace, heat pump on the bedroom a/c, furnace, the popup outlet in the kitchen, the outlet in the kitchen hutch slide, the outlet in the bathroom, all outlets in the bedroom, the outlet on the outside of the camper, and the outlet in the basement are all working.

The refrigerator on AC power, the 2 outlets on either side the dinette, the outlet behind the couch, each outlet in the living room slides, and the outlet for the living room tv no longer work.

I have generator prep on the camper but don't have a generator at this time.

Where should I start trying to look to find the problem?

[Razrbk]

Do you use a EMS?

[jlemon]

No there are so many to pick from I have struggled to find the best option. I am not strong with electric.

[Kenw]

I'm also not quite sure but I have a generator and the gen prep packages. When the transfer switch that switches from shore power to generator power engages it is quiet but, when it disengages it does so with a loud thud. It scared me the first time when I heard it. Maybe, the shore power went out momentarily and then your transfer switch engaged and then kicked back out. Maybe???

Ken

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by jlemon

No there are so many to pick from I have struggled to find the best option. I am not strong with electric.

I wouldn't delay another day! Progressive Industries EMS.

[DadsHemi]

I’m picking up an EMS today

[Razrbk]

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

I wouldn't delay another day! Progressive Industries EMS.

X 2. It'll help protect your rig and assist with problem solving electrical concerns.

[Last2Die]

Camping world has the surge guard 50 amp model 34950 on sale for 247.00 I think. Is that a good model..? Seems reasonably priced.

https://rvpower.southwire.com/surge-...a-model-34950/

Tony

[Razrbk]

I've had both. The Surge Guard performed fine, but I like and prefer the Progressive.

[rohrmann]

Just be aware that the portable models, regardless of brand, will not protect you from a fault in the shore cable if that were to happen. Otherwise, the portables are better than nothing and much better than just a surge arrestor.

[Razrbk]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

Just be aware that the portable models, regardless of brand, will not protect you from a fault in the shore cable if that were to happen. Otherwise, the portables are better than nothing and much better than just a surge arrestor.

A very important point. I've had two electrical problems while fulltiming - both were with the shore cable, and fortunately I was at the rig when they occurred and shut the power off at the pedestal. I no longer have a portable EMS.

[jlemon]

Thanks everyone for the insight, on EMS units. It appears that there is not a ton of price difference between the hardwired and portable versions. That being said I am leaning towards the hardwire version. Which brand would be better Progressive or Surge Guard?

The original big issue is still a major concern, as I am still with out power at the 4 outlets in the living room, 2 in the dinette area and my refrigerator. All of the breakers and fuses still seem to be in good working order.

[Razrbk]

Checked the GFI's and pedestal?

[jlemon]

Yes all the outlets that are on the GFI circuit are all operational. The pedestal has been tested several times and everything is good there. All the outlets on the bedroom circuit are operational. The outlets for the washer and dryer are operational. The central vac, and the outlet in the basement are operational.

Tested the power where it plugs in to the control board on the back of the refrigerator and it was getting 116v, but the refrigerator won't run on ac power.

[Razrbk]

Checked power cord? After that, next step for me would be having an RV tech check it out.

[prndl]

Originally Posted by jlemon

Thanks everyone for the insight, on EMS units. It appears that there is not a ton of price difference between the hardwired and portable versions. That being said I am leaning towards the hardwire version. Which brand would be better Progressive or Surge Guard?

The original big issue is still a major concern, as I am still with out power at the 4 outlets in the living room, 2 in the dinette area and my refrigerator. All of the breakers and fuses still seem to be in good working order.

Have you actually tested the load side of each breaker for power?

[waynemoore]

I vote for the power cord. Sounds like one leg is out. Check at both ends. Don’t ask how I know about this.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by jlemon

<snip>
Tested the power where it plugs in to the control board on the back of the refrigerator and it was getting 116v, but the refrigerator won't run on ac power.
</snip>

The refer requires 12V DC in order to operate *EVEN* when running on 120V AC. Ensure you have 12V to the refer.

[jlemon]

Had a buddy bring his meter over.

The end of the cord where it plugs into the camper has 240v.

The outlets have 64v at the outlet.

Half the breakers read 120v the other half only have 116v.

Got a tech coming out tomorrow.

[jlemon]

UPDATE:

After 3 hours of tearing the camper apart and $665 later the culprit was found.

Loose neutral wire in the outlet behind the tv in the living room.

Odd because my camper has not moved from it's current location since August and before that it was moved in May when I picked it up and setup for the first time.