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Old 02-23-2023, 07:53 AM   #1
ah693973
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Miswired 30 amp outlet and burning smell.

Hi,

New owners of a 2017 3950BR and also new owners of a house with a 30 amp style plug that was wired incorrectly.

The receptacle has the 2 angled blades wired to L1 and L2 on the house supply to give 230 volts across them. We did not know this.

When we used the dogbone adapter to hook up our trailer there was a burning smell and no AC power to the system. That is when I found the miswired outlet. I now see the value in the outlet checkers.

Everything seems to run OK when the generator is started so I am hoping that the damage was limited to the transfer switch (There isn't a power conditioner of any type from the factory, Right?)

Thinking that replacing the transfer switch will be all I need to do. Any suggestions?

Andy
 
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Old 02-23-2023, 08:12 AM   #2
BB_TX
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Without knowing what the former home owner used the outlet for, it may or may not have been wired wrong. A TT30R receptacle (with angled blades and round ground pin) is correct for an RV at 120 vac. But a similar looking 10-30R receptacle (also with angled blades but an L shaped third pin) is used for some applications where 240 vac is needed.
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Old 02-23-2023, 08:12 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ah693973 View Post
Hi,

New owners of a 2017 3950BR and also new owners of a house with a 30 amp style plug that was wired incorrectly.

The receptacle has the 2 angled blades wired to L1 and L2 on the house supply to give 230 volts across them. We did not know this.

When we used the dogbone adapter to hook up our trailer there was a burning smell and no AC power to the system. That is when I found the miswired outlet. I now see the value in the outlet checkers.

Everything seems to run OK when the generator is started so I am hoping that the damage was limited to the transfer switch (There isn't a power conditioner of any type from the factory, Right?)

Thinking that replacing the transfer switch will be all I need to do. Any suggestions?

Andy
If I understand you correctly, there was 120V on your neutral L1 and 120V on L2 giving you 230V. My thoughts are as you think and hopefully it is the transfer switch coil burned up. You will need to verify that the receptacle has the ground wire hooked up correctly, at the main panel the L1 wire will need to be connected to the neutral buss and removed from the 2 pole breaker it's attached to. The L2 wire needs to be on a single pole 30amp breaker.
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Old 02-23-2023, 08:21 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX View Post
Without knowing what the former home owner used the outlet for, it may or may not have been wired wrong. A TT30R receptacle (with angled blades and round ground pin) is correct for an RV at 120 vac. But a similar looking 10-30R receptacle (also with angled blades but an L shaped third pin) is used for some applications where 240 vac is needed.
Can a dogbone adapter fit in either receptacle? And you are correct, the previous homeowner could have wired it for whatever his need was at the time.
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Old 02-23-2023, 08:22 AM   #5
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It's basically two 110 volt circuits going to the TS. This would be the first casualty. I doubt that your rig has a built in EMS. If it did that would have stopped anything from passing through it. As long as your converter is charging and everything works I'd say you're OK.
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Old 02-23-2023, 08:50 AM   #6
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That was fast. Thanks for all the replies.

The 30 amp receptacle had the round pin and not the L that would indicate 240v.

Sounds like it is the transfer switch. Now I just have to find it.

Andy
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Old 02-23-2023, 12:43 PM   #7
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The transfer switch is a rather new thing. You don't mention your year/model so that would also be helpful. Many posts on here to explain how to do this in your signature.

I think start with the 'user cp' button in the brown bar at the top. Good luck.
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Old 02-23-2023, 05:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twindman View Post
The transfer switch is a rather new thing. You don't mention your year/model so that would also be helpful. Many posts on here to explain how to do this in your signature.

I think start with the 'user cp' button in the brown bar at the top. Good luck.
Tom, He provided the info in his initial post, "New owners of a 2017 3950BR and also new owners of a house with a 30 amp style plug that was wired incorrectly."
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Old 02-23-2023, 06:14 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by ah693973 View Post
That was fast. Thanks for all the replies.

The 30 amp receptacle had the round pin and not the L that would indicate 240v.

Sounds like it is the transfer switch. Now I just have to find it.

Andy
Sounds like an RV receptacle either wired wrong or intentionally wired for something else. If for an RV you would think the previous owner would have already discover the problem if he had an RV.

Here is some very good info on RV power.

https://www.myrv.us/electric/
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Old 02-23-2023, 06:50 PM   #10
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It was probably wired correctly for 220. I have one just like his it’s wired for my high pressure washer.
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Old 02-23-2023, 10:18 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by jimcol View Post
Tom, He provided the info in his initial post, "New owners of a 2017 3950BR and also new owners of a house with a 30 amp style plug that was wired incorrectly."
OOOPS. My bad!
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Old 02-24-2023, 09:39 AM   #12
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It was probably wired correctly for 220. I have one just like his it’s wired for my high pressure washer.
Lynwood
If it was a TT30R receptacle then it was wired incorrectly if it was 220V. If it was a 10-30R then it was wired correctly. The OP said it was "with angled blades and round ground pin" which describes a TT30R receptacle. A TT30R should never be used for 220V nor is designed for that use.

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Old 02-26-2023, 01:11 PM   #13
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Ya, you smoked your trailer with 240v.
It's kinda confusing.

RV 30A is 120V 3 wire.
RV 50A is 240V 4wire EXCEPT it goes into the rig as 2 separate 120V legs. There aren't any 240V circuits in a trailer that I know of.

Hopefully your damage is minimal. Maybe your insurance will help on the repair.
Mark
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