Electrical problem - Montana Owners Club

nanstev · 08-31-2010, 04:42 PM

I was cooking dinner tonite and had the microwave on and air conditioner, which I have never had a problem before. All of a sudden they both went out. Circuit breaker wasn't blown, and checked all fuses. I have no electic to my bedroom, air conditioner, or microwave. Everything else works fine. Any suggestions?

H. John Kohl · 08-31-2010, 05:00 PM

You did not state the year and model that will help. I suggest you check all breakers again. If they are not blown they you have to look for a loose wire at each location that does not work. Check the rest of your outlets too.

If you are comfortable with electricity do all the safety things (un plug from shore or pedestal power) and pull the circuit beaker box and tighten all screws and neutral screws.

Watch out the 12vdc is hot unless you disconnect the battery which is a good safety idea.

Good luck and please be safe and careful.

NCFischers · 08-31-2010, 05:26 PM

Sometimes when circuit breakers trip it isn't obvious. They trip internally and the handle might not move. Turn off the circuit breaker and then turn it back on. This will reset the breaker.

sfish · 08-31-2010, 05:40 PM

Check the Battery first and if its ok check the converter.Happened to me lately and the converter fried the battery and I put a new battery in and the breaker tripped so I replaced the converterand it all worked again.
Steve

mtheo · 08-31-2010, 08:19 PM

could it be that you blow one leg of your 50 amp cuirt at the pedestal

boje · 09-01-2010, 05:57 AM

Just a suggestion. Did you check your GFCI to see if it needs reset? I am not sure how your unit is wired.

bncinwv · 09-01-2010, 06:12 AM

It sounds like you have lost one leg of the 50 amp feed. An easy check is if you have a 30 amp receptacle on the shore tower and a 30 amp shore cord, unplug the 50 amp cord and plug in the 30. If everything works then, the problem is in the campground feed. Hope this helps,
Bingo

nanstev · 09-01-2010, 07:30 AM

Sorry, it is a 2007 Montana 3475RL. Flipped the circuit breakers several times, checked the GFI, and checked the fuses again. We have 50, but are hooked up to a 30amp right now. A dumb question to ask, but what is "at the pedestal" mean?

bncinwv · 09-01-2010, 07:48 AM

The pedestal is the campground feed. If everything is working with the 30 amp, then the problem is in the pedestal (the campground source for your power). You can try roughing up the prongs on your 50 amp cord to see if that works, or just tell the campground you have lost one side of the 50 amp feed, they should replace the receptacle on the power post for you. If the problem is occurring with the 30 amp hooked up and other electric items work (make sure you are not looking at the battery powered lights) then the problem is definitely in the rig. I know on our rig we have had problems with the outside receptacle on the slide (if you have one, it is also a GFCI and may need reset). It really sounds like a GFCI has been kicked somewhere or as John said a loose wire.
Bingo

RCN.Stoker · 09-01-2010, 10:11 AM

If you were hooked to a 30 amp all along and still have power to the trailer then the trouble is not in the park service. The 30 amp service is 120 volts on one leg. The adapter you use to connect your 50 amp cable to the 30 amp service simply spreads that single leg over both hot leads on that cable. In essence it connects the two 50 amp legs that your trailer is set up to distribute into one single 30 amp service across both legs. My guess is the problem is in either the 30-50 amp adapter, the 50 amp cable or in the trailer plug. It may be in the wiring from the trailer plug to the internal distribution panel.

If you have or can borrow another adapter try it and if all works your existing adapter is obviously defective. You can do the same with your 50 amp cable. If neither fixes the situation you are into the trailer wiring. This a much more serious matter. While I am comfortable pulling the cover off the distribution panel and testing circuits and breakers I wouldn't try to explain the procedures in the forum. My advise would be to consult a competent technician or electrician.

jwedell · 09-03-2010, 08:56 AM

I agree with RCN. Stoker. Your life and safety are more important than the cost of a service call by a good electrician. While checking the adaptors is fine anything inside the rig can be dangerous if you missed something important. I've been an electrician since 1969 (yea i'm old) and you would be surprised of the things i find that others miss. Discolored copper wires, discolored insulation, loose terminals, etc. When in doubt let a pro look at it. A fire in the rig is bad especially when you and your family are in it. I don't mean to preach but !!!!!!!

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