Power Problems

monarchman53 · 07-05-2010, 02:14 PM

I had really weak power in my garage where I plug my rig in. An old fuse box with a push button fuse that kept blowing when I ran my AC. Today I installed a new 100 amp service and a bona-fide 30 amp rv box. I think that the "30 amp breaker" was in fact a 60 amp (2 30s in tandem). I plugged the rig in, went inside and the control center had the 50 amp lite on, but nothing in the digital readout. I began to smell a burnt electrical odor and quickly unplugged the rig. The 15 amp breaker marked "refridge" on the 110 panel (inside rig) was tripped. I then plugged into one of my new 20 amp circuits and ran my AC without a hitch. The only thing NOT working now,is the DVD player (it worked fine before),and the digital tv converter keeps turning off. Also, the inverter lite doesn't come on at the switch by the dvd player. I know this is a long setup, but my question is could the burnt smell be the inverter and that is why my dvd won't come on? If so, how can I tell if that's the problem?

RVDude · 07-05-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monarchman53

Today I installed a new 100 amp service and a bona-fide 30 amp rv box. I think that the "30 amp breaker" was in fact a 60 amp (2 30s in tandem).

Lets backup a bit. You said installed 100amp service. I take it the service (sub)panel main breaker is 100amp? Off that service breaker are the circuit breakers for the service lines? That's fine.

The scary part is then you said a bona-fide RV 30amp plug and allude that the 30amp RV plug is fed by a tandem 30amp breaker. IF you are feeding a 30amp RV plug with a tandem breaker you have wired that RV plug at 240v. A bona-fide 30amp RV plug is 120v and requires a single breaker (or uses just half of a tandem). (a 50amp RV plug is typically 240v)

So, did you install a 50amp RV plug or a 30amp RV plug? Are you really feeding a 30amp RV plug with (both legs of) a tandem breaker thus making it 240v?

Please repost a little more detail or clarification. As written you fed your 120V 30amp RV cord with 240v when it should have been 120v. Yep, that'll do the type of damage you indicated.

TandW · 07-05-2010, 02:30 PM

We're gonna hope you didn't fry your electronics with 240 Volts. Good luck!!

"007" · 07-05-2010, 02:42 PM

Here is something you need to know. Hope the problems are few.

squeak · 07-05-2010, 03:05 PM

wow I hope he didn't do what I think he did.

Tallyrver · 07-05-2010, 04:03 PM

A few months ago I was sitting around with a few friends talking about running a new power outlet to the rig, my friend said it would be a snap...just supply the beer and copper. He said all you had to do is use a drier outlet ...this is where it almost went south. I told him about the site "007" posted . After a few words about his knowing everything about electrical wiring, I dropped the idea . After reading that post and buying a couple hundred dollars of 4 wire 6 gauge cable and a new 50 amp rv box I went at it.

Some guys think they know it all...they are the ones that get burnt.

TandW · 07-05-2010, 04:12 PM

So tallyriver, how's the juice?

Tallyrver · 07-05-2010, 04:18 PM

120 volts on each leg ,a neutral and a ground...runs the whole rig.

RVDude · 07-05-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallyrver

120 volts on each leg ,a neutral and a ground...runs the whole rig.

ONLY ONLY ONLY for a 50amp plug! L1 - L2 - N - G

There is only ONE "leg" for a 30amp RV plug. L1 (or L2) - N - G

mahon1993 · 07-05-2010, 05:43 PM

How many times has this problem come up, a 30 amp rv plug wired for 220 volts?
Seems to me there needs to be some kind of warning on this site about this. Serious expensive damage has been done by owners and even experienced electricans improperly installing 30 amp rv plugs.
Greg

monarchman53 · 07-05-2010, 05:53 PM

I knew the minute I smelled something not right, I screwed up!! I know thats exactly what I did, wired it like a dryer (220). My confidence plus ignorance came together and made a mess and now I'm left to deal with the consequences. I'm not afraid to admit when I screw up, but I'm not one to dwell on my mistakes but would rather focus on how to fix them(and learn from them!). Does the DVD player work only through the inverter and if so is that why it won't power up? Also is there no protection from this kind of over voltage to the inverter? Does it sound like that's what I was smelling? And why was the only breaker that tripped was the fridge? By the way the fridge works fine. The only things I can detect that are not working properly are the DVD player won't power up, the digital tv converter won't stay on, it works fine but won't stay on for more than 20 or 30 seconds and the inverter light (at the on/off switch) won't come on.

TandW · 07-05-2010, 05:54 PM

How many botched jobs have we not heard of because the outcome was deadly?

TandW · 07-05-2010, 06:04 PM

I am sorry. Only you will be able to track down what was fried. Be prepared to open your wallet. I am truly sorry for you.

mahon1993 · 07-05-2010, 06:13 PM

Sorry about your problem.
Anything electronic is probably fried. Inverter, TV, microwave, etc. Each device should be removed from the MH and tested in a safe place. You don't want it catching fire in the MH. Some might be able to be repaired. At best maybe a blown fuse. At worse a new device is in order. Sometimes repair cost more than a new one.
Good luck,
Greg

"007" · 07-05-2010, 06:17 PM

Do you have a Surge Protector for coach?

wa8yxm · 07-05-2010, 08:32 PM

I can tell you what your problem is from the description of the breaker

You plugged the rig into an outlet that was wired for a dryer, air compressor, welder or other 240 volt device

RV's are 120 volt devices

You have blown all your expensive electrioncs

This is why I tell folks to install only 50 amp outlets for RV's if having a pro do it, 50 amps are 4-wire and the pro is going to get it right

Yours is one of a growign number of stories of folks who told the installer "RV" but he still wired it for 220 cause to him it looks like a 220 volt outlet

Looks like one to me too.. but I know better.

monarchman53 · 07-06-2010, 04:53 AM

At this point the only thing I think I need to replace is the DVD player but when I went to take it out, I discovered that it is plugged in behind the TV and can't get to the plug without taking the whole shroud around the TV apart! Has anbody replaced their DVD player in a rig like mine and have any suggestions? The inverter seems to be fine as it still powers everything it did before when rig is unplugged. Thank you all for your concern and suggestions, I do appreciate it!
Rod

monarchman53 · 07-06-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

Do you have a Surge Protector for coach?

No I don't but will now! Do you have a suggestion as to type or brand?

"007" · 07-06-2010, 05:27 AM

Here are a few for your consideration all good, expensive ones better.
Some SP installs.
I use this one hard wired.

DancinCampers · 07-06-2010, 07:12 AM

Rod, curious, is your coach wired for 30 or 50 Amp.