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CatchinBluegill's avatar
CatchinBluegill
Explorer
Jan 02, 2016

Only getting 30A indicated on 50A connection

I recently bought a 2009 Bounder 35H, it has 50A service via an Intellitec Smart EMS, model 900.

I had my electrician (licensed, bonded, experienced, has been doing work for my family for many years and has never messed anything up) add a 50A-240V circuit for shore power, and the voltages test correctly at the socket, as described in this thread.

Measured voltage is 235V across the outside pair, and 118 on each of the 120V pairs.

However, the panel only reports 30A service, among the choices of Gen Set, 50A, 30A, 20A.

I measured voltage at the RV end of the power cable, and am seeing a lot of voltage loss. Measured voltage at the RV end of the cable is 185 across the outside pair, and 88V on the 120V legs. I'm losing 60V on the 240 and (consistently), 30V on each of the 120V legs, over a 25 foot cable.

Is this just a bad power cable, or do I need to look for some other issue? When I got the RV, there was a gap of about 1/2 inch between the end of the outer cable jacket and the male plug, so I had my electrician replace that plug at the same time he installed my 50A circuit, but perhaps some evil lurks in the heart of that cable anyway?

Thanks!
Class A

65 Replies

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  • I_rv's avatar
    I_rv
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2016
    I think the only problem you have is on your display of incoming power is that its set to 30amps for power share,press the power share button to select 50 amps,power share as explained to me is if you are say plugged into only 20 amps then select 20 amp on display and your inverter will kick in to assist with additional load,It does work because at home I'm only on 20 amp and can still run one a.c.and electric water heater ,tv etc.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2016
    I'd follow the advice Dutch gave. You've got to have a bad connection somewhere, could be the new work, could be in the cord, could be in the RV. (Unless you were measuring the end of the cord with it NOT connected to the RV.)
    You can't have voltage drop without load. Turning off the main breaker or disconnecting the RV from the cord should eliminate the drop.
    My guess would be the cord is bad since you said the insulation had been bad. It could be full of water.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Jan 02, 2016
    From all indications your input voltage is wired correctly. That leaves the EMS with the problem. Here is a link to a manual for the Intelitec 800 system that I have. Maybe your 900 system is similar or you can find a manual online. In the troubleshooting section there are things to check if the 50 amp service is not displayed. 800 EMS
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer III
    Jan 02, 2016
    Steve has it exactly right, as does most of the thread you linked to. Try this: With the plug pulled just far enough out of the socket to reach the blades with your meter probes, CAREFULLY measure the voltages at the outlet to see if they differ from what you read with the plug removed. If the voltages read low about the same as at the other end of the cable, that could indicate the problem is between the socket and the panel, and only showing up with a load. If not, I'd start with checking the connections inside the new plug.
  • Ranger_Smith's avatar
    Ranger_Smith
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2016
    Well in my panel I have a dual 50A breaker in there. Each leg is wired to the side leads on the plug. There is also a neutral and ground. When you measure across the 2 you get 240. Every park I've been in is also the same way. If you measure from each "HOT" to neutral or ground you get the 120. It is not wired wrong. Don't know about the drop. Ide tighten all connections in the panel and transfer switch if equipped and make sure they are tight. With the power unplugged of course.

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