Low voltage on one leg

[DTH]

Just got to our destination and in hot weather.
Front AC initially ran but then stopped. Pedestal voltage good on both legs. Went to breaker panel inside. One side good one low. 103 volts. Making sure I am not operating anything on that leg.

I am suspecting either the power cord reel or the built in surge suppressor. Can’t access the cord reel and can’t find the surge.

Any other ideas to check?

[Daryles]

Maybe check the pins on the cable? Make sure they are clean and straight?
Same on the Rig side.
Cycle your interior 50A breakers.

[DTH]

Thanks. Have cycled and checked all breakers. Have checked ped several times. Checked power cord with external source. Both seem ok but cannot access cord at reel without disassembly. Reading at inside breaker panel, all looks good with ground and neutral. I suspect a problem with the reel brushes or contacts but access is a big issue.

[Vet4jdc]

Check your connection at the cord to the camper. I have needed to rotate it slightly to get a good connection for both legs.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by Vet4jdc

Check your connection at the cord to the camper. I have needed to rotate it slightly to get a good connection for both legs.

OP said he has a "Reel" system - there is no connection to make at each campsite on the trailer side. It's all buried and not easily accessible as stated.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by DTH

Just got to our destination and in hot weather.
Front AC initially ran but then stopped. Pedestal voltage good on both legs. Went to breaker panel inside. One side good one low. 103 volts. Making sure I am not operating anything on that leg.

I am suspecting either the power cord reel or the built in surge suppressor. Can’t access the cord reel and can’t find the surge.

Any other ideas to check?

Are both of your AC's wired on the same leg? I have the Progressive EMS hardwired. It would shut off at 104.

[DTH]

Each AC is on a different leg. Front is the one not working.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Originally Posted by DTH

Each AC is on a different leg. Front is the one not working.

your lucky, mine are on one

[rohrmann]

Even though you measure good voltage at the pedestal without any load, the applied load may drop the voltage on the problem leg due to a bad connection inside the panel. If you have not had a problem prior to arriving at this location, it is likely to be in the pedestal.

[DTH]

Bob,
Very good point. I have not had any issues previously. I will talk o the park and see if they can check.
I appreciate everyone’s assistance.

[jimcol]

Following Bob's advice, if you can reach another pedestal I'd try plugging in to it.

[ShaneGreen]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't those cord reels use a brush and commutator system? If so, jog it back and fourth a few time. If a brush stopped at a corroded area or if it's slightly skewed in it's holder you won't get full contact.

[DTH]

Update on problem.

Finally killed the power and unplugged from the pedestal. Started re checking each point that I could access. I checked the tightness of each wire in the breaker panel and checked the tightness of each breaker in its location. Left breakers off. Turned on at the pedestal then went in and turned each breaker and verified voltage at each breaker. All checked good at that point. Also move the reel several times to look at that issue. Started turning things back on and all worked. Not sure exactly what changed but it worked.
Still concerned about the cord reel and the surge suppressor. Now back home I can continue to investigate.
Thanks to all for your help.

[Bstarr]

I had the same thing happen to me. I also had the issue of my batteries not charging. Long story short is my rig is wired for a generator but I don’t have one. Anyway the transfer switch was bad and having trouble making contact. All worked fine on power from my truck but when put on shore power I had all those issues. I checked power from outside power source to my breaker. My breaker only showed power to one leg. So check yer transfer switch if you have one. Good luck

[Bob and Jeannette]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

Even though you measure good voltage at the pedestal without any load, the applied load may drop the voltage on the problem leg due to a bad connection inside the panel. If you have not had a problem prior to arriving at this location, it is likely to be in the pedestal.

Good call! I would see if it works at your next stop.

[Bstarr]

That may not be so. If you have good volts prior to yer our next stop and hookup and you have issues does not meant it the power from the pole outside like I said my transfer switch was intermittent so it really made it difficult to troubleshoot properly. Good luck.