PCS and Voltage Question

tjd · 05-10-2015, 12:14 AM

We are at a state park over the weekend and we are plugged into 30 AMP power since that is all they have.

It is also very cold here this weekend. So I turned on the heat pumps and noticed a drop in voltage when the heat pumps kicked on.

Is this normal? A problem with the park power or a problem with the RV?

This is the PCS with nothing running.

Once one of the heat pumps turned on this is the display.

Thanks for any help.

hotseer · 05-10-2015, 01:35 AM

You are probably ok..Remember , you ARE running A/C backwards so I would guess that is the drop in Volts you are seeing. Does the heater work ok?

tjd · 05-10-2015, 01:48 AM

Yes the heat pump is working just fine. Since we are only on 30 AMP I am only running the bedroom heat pump.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotseer

You are probably ok..Remember , you ARE running A/C backwards so I would guess that is the drop in Volts you are seeing. Does the heater work ok?

ChasA · 05-10-2015, 06:52 AM

Tjd,
You have a bad connection, probably a worn out receptacle in the pedestal. Check at the pedestal for a sizzling sound, a burned smell or your 30 amp plug being hot. The voltage should definitely NOT be dropping to 103.

grtharris · 05-10-2015, 08:39 AM

tjd, agree with ChasA a 16 amp load should not drop the voltage that much. Re-seat the plug and check for something hot. Check the connection on your pigtail. I would also report it to the park host, could be a loose wire inside the box.

grtharris · 05-10-2015, 02:55 PM

tjd, looked at your post again the top picture does not look right for 30 amp service L1 and L2 voltage should read the same.

tjd · 05-10-2015, 04:09 PM

Well I decided last night to just run propane heater. Headed home now. I have a 50 Amp outlet at my house so I will plug in there and see what I get.

grtharris · 05-10-2015, 04:25 PM

tjd, if you have the 110VAC adapter you can also try it AC volts should read the same. You will get some small voltage difference when plugged into a 50 amp service.

wa8yxm · 05-10-2015, 04:32 PM

You basically dropped 1 volt per amp..This is way excessive.

Possible causes are:
Dirty burned blade on your 30 (or50) amp plug (your fault)
Dirty burned outlet (Dogbone) Likwise
Bad connection inside power monitor or other location between plug and monitor (likewise) Odd are highest for the first item on list if it is your responsibility.

Park outlet,, burned,failing This includes the circuit breaker
Park connections
Park wiring

If it starts with PARK,,It's their problem.

Use of a long extension cord (your problem)