How to check electricity at a campground

Sam Spade wrote:
Do a Google search for "electrical tester".
This is one of the things that came up for me:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/test-measurement/Metrs-HVAC-R/gardner-bender-gfci-outlet-tester-120-vac?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CjwKCAjwk4vMBRAgEiwA4ftLs6XaP9vf4CEG5S0ZJcFPIg4nyPMhResJOH6A-tW2s06tYAslpV-IIxoC0bkQAvD_BwE

It is a simple quick test for "major" faults only and you would need an adapter to test 30 amp outlets. It will NOT completely test a 50 amp outlet.

More complete tests are included with a medium to high end "surge protector", often prices around $100 or more.

It depends on what your budget is and how thorough you wish to be.

......."and how thorough you wish to be"

"Thorough": Would begin with a *link* to the url you posted.
Not too difficult..:R

"wa8yxm" - good info, but (IMO) an "overload" for the OPs question.

OP - "GismosMom" - in reply to your question - the simple testers will get the job done! Add a "Kil-A-Watt" (about $20) to those inexpensive items to continually monitor power. Avail at HD, Amazon, etc.

Yes, There are better (more expensive) alternatives.
Why would you want one of those? - Here's the easy answer...

Thread: The Electrician Said "Oops"

On edit - be sure to see the '2nd installment' - 2nd post, still 1st page of the "Oops" thread - - by "Bill Socal"..:W


~

myredracer wrote:

Gjac wrote:
If voltage is less than 107 v I would look for another site if you want to run AC.

The problem with that is you are measuring open circuit (no load) voltage and it can plummet out of sight once you plug in and start turning loads on. Doesn't have to be anywhere near 107 to do that either. In some cases, just the charging current from a converter can cause an EMS to cut your power off due to low volts. You *could* spend lots of time squeezing your RV into a really tight/small site only to find the voltage is cr*p after all that effort...

If a pedestal looks suspect and/or the CG is old, you could take a coffee maker or electric heater and plug into the pedestal and see what the voltage does.

Older campgrounds are usually the ones with low voltage problems because they can have long individual 30 amp (and 50 amps if they have many or even any) runs to pedestals and the wiring wasn't required to be sized for the high demand from RVs that exists nowadays with so many AC units and other high demand appliances. Newer CGs/RV parks with their loop-fed pedestals are much less likely to have voltage issues. If you are at a pedestal with 30 and 50 amps you are even less likely to have low voltage.

In the face of adversity due to low voltage, there's always the Hughes autoformer... :)

My point is if you check it and it reads 107v or less at no load I would not plug in because it may get less once you hook up. I would rather plug into a receptacle that reads 120v to start with.

Gjac wrote:
If voltage is less than 107 v I would look for another site if you want to run AC.

The problem with that is you are measuring open circuit (no load) voltage and it can plummet out of sight once you plug in and start turning loads on. Doesn't have to be anywhere near 107 to do that either. In some cases, just the charging current from a converter can cause an EMS to cut your power off due to low volts. You *could* spend lots of time squeezing your RV into a really tight/small site only to find the voltage is cr*p after all that effort...

If a pedestal looks suspect and/or the CG is old, you could take a coffee maker or electric heater and plug into the pedestal and see what the voltage does.

Older campgrounds are usually the ones with low voltage problems because they can have long individual 30 amp (and 50 amps if they have many or even any) runs to pedestals and the wiring wasn't required to be sized for the high demand from RVs that exists nowadays with so many AC units and other high demand appliances. Newer CGs/RV parks with their loop-fed pedestals are much less likely to have voltage issues. If you are at a pedestal with 30 and 50 amps you are even less likely to have low voltage.

In the face of adversity due to low voltage, there's always the Hughes autoformer... :)

GizmosMom wrote:
I just read a campground review where the RV-ers checked the electricity at 3-4 sites before they found one that was good.

We have been RV-ing for many years. We don't check but I think it is about time for us to do so. I did a search here on the forum but I could not find any posts relating to checking the electricity. I am not using the correct terminology, I am sure.

Is this a special meter or something else? I would like your recommendations for one, if possible.

Thanks!

. To answer your question directly all you need to check the post at your campsite is a multimeter. If it is a 50 amp plug set the meter to 200 v and check from ground (round hole at top) to vertical slots left and right it should read 120 volts check other vertical leg should be the same. Check top ground ( round hole ) to vertical ground directly under top round and that should be zero volts. Set meter to 700 v scale and read voltage across the two vertical legs should read 240 volts. Do you have a muti meter? If not you can get one at Harbor Freight for free with any purchase. If voltage is less than 107 v I would look for another site if you want to run AC.

I use the 30A portable one for our small TT , it is better to be safe than sorry.

Get a Progressive Industries or Surge Guard power protection - not just a surge guard. I have the external one from Surge Guard and it works well and has protected us from potential disaster a couple of times. You just plug them into the power plug and wait to see if all is well. I would never plug in without using one. Even if you check the plug when you get there, something could happen while you are plugged in.

Damp ground, bare feet and a small flat blade screwdriver will 'test the outlet real well......:E:E

I would suggest you get a Progressive Industries EMT. I've had one for years now. Always plug it into the pedestal first to make sure every thing is right about the electricity, and keep it plugged in in case of either a brownout or surge.

GizmosMom wrote:
I just read a campground review where the RV-ers checked the electricity at 3-4 sites before they found one that was good.

We have been RV-ing for many years. We don't check but I think it is about time for us to do so. I did a search here on the forum but I could not find any posts relating to checking the electricity. I am not using the correct terminology, I am sure.

Is this a special meter or something else? I would like your recommendations for one, if possible.

Thanks!

We have the progressive industries hard wired with remote in our coach. I have it set for about two minutes delay. Once I plug in to the cg power it analyzes all the info you need to be safe. Once it is satisfied and the two mins have passed it allows current into the coach. They also have portable units.

:) Hi, I have a Polarity Tester in the kitchen in my trailer. I made a set-up with a polarity tester and 30 amp plug so I can test it at the power pole. I also have a Kill-A-Watt in my trailer's kitchen to check mostly for voltage.