Self induced electrical problem

Switchflicke · 07-01-2015, 07:42 PM

I thought I should share the following with fellow RVers

Last weekend I plugged into a 50 amp service outlet for the first time since I summarized the water system. The power panel showed 20 or 30 amp service and the corresponding load. Not what I had expected from a 50 amp connection. Looked like a 30 amp setup to me and just before I went to the camp office to ask what the heck was goin on, the little lady told me that the water had not heated up like she had hoped it would. After a tiny bit of troubleshooting (checking the circuit breaker) I remembered that I had shut off the water heater CB when I winterized the coach and never set it back ON when I summarized it. With the water heater CB ON, the power panel all the indications I would expect from a 50 amp connection. Saved me a trip to the office and saved me an opportunity to look like a fool.

Thought someone might like to know this.d

FIRE UP · 07-01-2015, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchflicke

I thought I should share the following with fellow RVers

Last weekend I plugged into a 50 amp service outlet for the first time since I summarized the water system. The power panel showed 20 or 30 amp service and the corresponding load. Not what I had expected from a 50 amp connection. Looked like a 30 amp setup to me and just before I went to the camp office to ask what the heck was goin on, the little lady told me that the water had not heated up like she had hoped it would. After a tiny bit of troubleshooting (checking the circuit breaker) I remembered that I had shut off the water heater CB when I winterized the coach and never set it back ON when I summarized it. With the water heater CB ON, the power panel all the indications I would expect from a 50 amp connection. Saved me a trip to the office and saved me an opportunity to look like a fool.

Thought someone might like to know this.d

SwitchFlicke,
You didn't do anything, any different, from any one of us. What you did was completely normal. I have been there so many times that I'm lucky I'm still alive. Anyway, keep on having a great time RVing. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Scott

Ray,IN · 07-03-2015, 09:49 PM

I got lost in your story somewhere. The water heater on 120VAC -or shut off, has nothing to do with 50A or 30A service, it works exactly the same way.
The only thing that affected 50A service is one leg of the incoming power was not working at first.

wa8yxm · 07-04-2015, 05:44 AM

ON atwood water heaters there is a RED WIRE hooked to a device labeled E.C.O. you unhook it and the water heater will not heat up.. this is the suggested winterizing method.. (Turns on fault light)

What does this do? Tells the control board that it is too hot already. (hotter than it is supposed to be).

Took a shower the other day never turned on hot water.. I am in S.E. GA. WHo needs a water heater. Just a 50' hose and you got all the hot you need.

Switchflicke · 07-04-2015, 09:04 AM

Yes Ray,IN it doesn't make any sense does it. But that's the way it wuz. I was hoping someone might know WHY it worked that way.

Thanks wa8yxm, I shall look for that red wire and consider disconnecting it when I winterize next.

I won't lose any sleep over it, but my curious mind needs to be fed!!

cbeierl · 07-04-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I got lost in your story somewhere. The water heater on 120VAC -or shut off, has nothing to do with 50A or 30A service, it works exactly the same way.
The only thing that affected 50A service is one leg of the incoming power was not working at first.

The EMS panel uses the water heater circuit to detect the presence of 50A service (since it's on the 'other' leg of the 120V service). If that circuit breaker is turned off the EMS panel with not properly detect 50A service.

Switchflicke · 07-04-2015, 10:09 PM

Thanks for your response Chris. I was kind of thinking that must be along the lines of the 'problem', but as most of us, there is still a lot to learn about the way the builders think. Thanks again.

Ray,IN · 07-05-2015, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbeierl

The EMS panel uses the water heater circuit to detect the presence of 50A service (since it's on the 'other' leg of the 120V service). If that circuit breaker is turned off the EMS panel with not properly detect 50A service.

Old dogs can learn something new, thanks.