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01-02-2019, 08:38 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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Electrical problem!
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?
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01-02-2019, 09:20 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Do you use a EMS?
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01-02-2019, 09:45 PM
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#3
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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No there are so many to pick from I have struggled to find the best option. I am not strong with electric.
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01-03-2019, 02:56 AM
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#4
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Concord
Posts: 49
M.O.C. #19636
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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
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01-03-2019, 06:54 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Quote:
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.
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I wouldn't delay another day! Progressive Industries EMS.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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01-03-2019, 06:59 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Florence
Posts: 963
M.O.C. #20472
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I’m picking up an EMS today
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 MegaCab 4x4 Aisin, 4:10 Gears
Titan 50 Gal Tank, Air Lift Wireless Bags
2017 3160 RL
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01-03-2019, 08:28 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
I wouldn't delay another day! Progressive Industries EMS.
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X 2. It'll help protect your rig and assist with problem solving electrical concerns.
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01-03-2019, 08:35 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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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
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01-03-2019, 08:42 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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I've had both. The Surge Guard performed fine, but I like and prefer the Progressive.
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01-03-2019, 09:54 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,774
M.O.C. #12947
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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.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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01-03-2019, 10:39 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Quote:
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.
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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.
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01-03-2019, 01:49 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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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.
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01-03-2019, 02:16 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Checked the GFI's and pedestal?
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01-03-2019, 02:43 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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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.
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01-03-2019, 03:50 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Checked power cord? After that, next step for me would be having an RV tech check it out.
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01-03-2019, 03:50 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 978
M.O.C. #19630
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Quote:
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.
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Have you actually tested the load side of each breaker for power?
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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01-03-2019, 04:04 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ.
Posts: 1,811
M.O.C. #10552
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I vote for the power cord. Sounds like one leg is out. Check at both ends. Don’t ask how I know about this.
__________________
Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
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01-03-2019, 05:11 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,695
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
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>
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The refer requires 12V DC in order to operate *EVEN* when running on 120V AC. Ensure you have 12V to the refer.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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01-03-2019, 06:19 PM
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#19
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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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.
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01-04-2019, 08:25 PM
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#20
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #21912
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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.
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