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rickvikki's avatar
rickvikki
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014

50 amp service

Sorry everyone: I guess we said it wrong in our question. All summer we have been plugged into 50 amp, but just today, I went to use microwave and it barely operates, same with toaster oven and coffee maker. We are not electrical minded at all, but have had this voltage reader always plugged in inside motorhome and it always sat at about 120 and needle never moved much when operating microwave etc. but today something has changed and is barely drawing power to microwave and coffee maker worked but dropped the needle to the bottome. I hope this makes sense?

Vikki and Rick
Class A

28 Replies

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  • rickvikki's avatar
    rickvikki
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    Maybe we are expecting too much, I assumed we could run multiple items with 50 amp service.
  • rickvikki's avatar
    rickvikki
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    So let me ask this, with 50 amp service, should we be able to plug in microwave and coffe maker at the same time, when we do, they operate but voltage drops to about 100?
  • GlennLever's avatar
    GlennLever
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    Voltage is not a good indicator of 50 amp service.

    Use this as an analogy. A dead car battery will still read 12 volts, but as soon as you put a load on it it will read much less.

    So....if you have a voltage gauge you need to take a reading when you have the load applied.
  • rcmiller32's avatar
    rcmiller32
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    shut off the breakers and unplug the power cord and inspect the prongs. Clean with a scotch bright pad. Then try plugging it in again and reset the breaker. See if this helps.
  • rickvikki's avatar
    rickvikki
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    We have 2006 Tiffen Phaeton 40ft. We can't be running off inverter because it is not "on".
  • dakdave's avatar
    dakdave
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    unplug from shore power. Start generator let it run see if power comes up. If it does start checking breakers on pedestal or cord,plug, etc.
  • JimM68's avatar
    JimM68
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2014
    If I was to take a really wild guess, you are no longer recieving shore power. The items you mention are running off the inverter, and your batteries are nearly discharged.

    Off the wall? yes. Wild guess? sure.

    Please, let us know: year make and model of your motorhome. manufaturer and model of your inverter/converter. Easiest to just pur your moho info in your sig....

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