Do you have a hot neutral at the Box?

kellertx5er wrote:

afidel wrote:

Captain_Happy wrote:
All you really need is a volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it.

Or you can buy an EMS and be protected from this an a whole list of other power issues including things like brownouts that a meter can't help with... An EMS is cheap insurance and it's a onetime purchase which means it's paying you back every time you save the time at setup.

I would hardly call $300-$400 "cheap insurance", especially compared to a $20 DVM.

Save that $$ for when something happens AFTER you check with your MM and plug in. You will need it to replace stuff when a newb crashes a pedestal, it shorts, and turns everything downstream to 220V your rig included. :( :(

Captain_Happy wrote:
All you really need is a volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it.

afidel wrote:
Or you can buy an EMS and be protected from this an a whole list of other power issues including things like brownouts that a meter can't help with... An EMS is cheap insurance and it's a onetime purchase which means it's paying you back every time you save the time at setup.

kellertx5er wrote:
I would hardly call $300-$400 "cheap insurance", especially compared to a $20 DVM.

Certainly is cheap insurance when it's protecting a $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 trailer! :D

Hot neutral is commonly known as reverse polarity.

+1 for Progressive Industries EMS. Safety is the priority. My EMS has cut power for all the things listed. Sure the stuff can be fixed but vacation is precious and I don't want to go home early for equipment damage. And certainly not for getting injured.

delete duplicate

Atlee wrote:
Which is why I have a Progressive Industries EMS 30A (30 amp) device.

I always plug it in 1st, and it run a diagnostics check of the CG electrical system. When it tells me everything is good, I plus in my shore plug into the PI EMS 30A. The PI device will delay sending electricity down line to the RV until it has declared the CG power system to be safe.

FoehnLeigh wrote:
Second-guess your RV Park and check their power pole for any hot neutrals before you plug in your RV. Hot neutrals can be dangerous since the breakers in your RV only work when connected on the hot side. When power-pole outlets are wired backwards, a hot neutral results. This means your RV breakers will not trip during a short.

X2

Captain_Happy wrote:
All you really need is a volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it.

Also correct

SoundGuy wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Not really news to those that have been on this forum for any length of time.

Apparently news to the OP. :W

New member, cut him some slack

kellertx5er wrote:

afidel wrote:

Captain_Happy wrote:
All you really need is a volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it.

Or you can buy an EMS and be protected from this an a whole list of other power issues including things like brownouts that a meter can't help with... An EMS is cheap insurance and it's a onetime purchase which means it's paying you back every time you save the time at setup.

I would hardly call $300-$400 "cheap insurance", especially compared to a $20 DVM.

$224 for an EMSLCHW30 on Amazon, and as I pointed out it covers things that a DVM can't cover, plus it's protecting thousands of dollars in electrical stuff in your trailer, protecting you from shock, and the trailer from fire, so yes it's cheap.

Ron3rd wrote:

Captain_Happy wrote:
All you really need is a volt/ohm meter, and learn how to use it.

Also correct

Not correct. You pull up, check the voltage, and it is good, so you plug in. An indeterminant amount of time later, the voltage goes haywire, your DVM won't do you a bit of good. My EMS-HW30C will protect me.

ScottG wrote:
Not really news to those that have been on this forum for any length of time.

SoundGuy wrote:
Apparently news to the OP. :W

Ron3rd wrote:
New member, cut him some slack

New forum member doesn't necessarily mean the OP is new to the RV game and his post which is written with a degree of authority doesn't even mention the most obvious solution that every RV owner should be using - an EMS to protect their rig's electrical system and themselves, including that which he describes. If he wants to play in the sandbox and offer advice he should ensure it's complete & accurate information or be prepared to be challenged, particularly on such an important subject as electrical safety.