How to check electricity at a campground

There are several ways depending on 30 or 50 amp. IN BOTH CASES there is one very easy way.

Install a Progressive Industries HW-XXc (Where XX is 30 for 30 amp RV's and 50 for 50 amp RVs) when you plug in it will do a diagnostic and if something is screwy (IE: Open neutral (50 amp) 240 volts (30 amp) open ground (Either) High/low voltage or frequency.... It will tell you and

You can also get a portable one but I like the Hard Wired better. AND Get the ones with the LCD display or remote with LCD display

TRC (Technical Research Corp) Makes the SURGE GUARD brand. Again both portable or hard wired, and make sure you have an LCD display that shows voltage current or issue,

My portable (Surge Guard) also counts down 17something seconds before connecting This can be a plus on some occasion.


THe next method.. 30 amnp

YOu get a 15-30 adapter (30 amp plug with 15 amp outlet) and a 3 Light Outlet tester... That is test one.. A plug in volt meter is test two

Test one make sure only the green lights light, and both of them, RED is bad (Assumes 2 green one red) IF other color scheme use diagram on device,

Voltmeter 120 is ideal 115 ok 110 is CAUTION

Plug the volt meter in INSIDE the rv if it tests good and monitor


The final way.> Go to NO SHOCK ZONE (Google it) and use a voltmeter. YOU may have to modify it to reach far enough into the socket.


One person makes a quad 15 amp to 50 amp adapter with indicator light

One The device is wired as follows

One leg (Black or red wire) goes to one duplex (HOT side) the other leg (Also black or red) to the other Duplex outlet hot side (This i9s the side with teh coppper screw) White wire goes to the NEUTRAL side (Silvery screw) on both and Green to both greens.

An indicator is wired across the two hot leads. A neon indsiator with added resistance works well I can not tell you the amount of resistance however without knowing what NE-lamp you buy.

Plug in, LIght on -= proper 240 across the legs (no light they park cheated)

Plug a volt meter into each side. Good reading, Do it again this timne with a 1500 Watt space heater in the other half of the duplex Still good you are likely good

rv101byfred (dot com I think can point you to that adapter or you can home brew

I use the Surge Guard myself

I use the 50 amp hard wired version of this unit.

Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C Portable EMS RV Surge Protector - 30 Amp

JMichael
2001 Newmar KADP

Same as above- a Progressive Industries EMS is best. Here is a link that describes the options when buying one:

http://learntorv.com/what-surge-protector-is-best-for-my-rv/

Thanks, everyone. This information will help us so much.

Safe travels...

I use the same setup a IAMICHABOD has in the above "This recent Thread". I test before I plug in my P.I. EMS wherever I'm at.

Try This recent Thread

At a bare minimum, get a digital voltmeter that plugs into an outlet and keep it plugged in where you can easily see it. Do not run a air conditioner below 104 volts. Voltage can vary throughout the day. Others will be alone suggesting various devices that are helpful.

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.