Forum Discussion

timjwhite's avatar
timjwhite
Explorer
May 31, 2017

30 amp plug hot and started to melt

Hi guys,
Plain and short, I packed up the 2016 30 ft. travel trailer to come home from the camp site and the plug (of the cord) burned my hand and the rubber was so hot it was slightly disfigured.
I have a 30 ft travel trailer with a 13 amp air conditioner. It ran most of the 3 day weekend at the beach (86 deg high temp). The travel trailer has been through much worse and longer hot beach stays. Any ideas about what could have made the plug so hot that it began to melt? I know of no other variable change in the system.

Thank you for taking the time to think through this with me.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    The receptacle is bad or the park system was overloaded causing low voltage which is hard on plugs and RV systems
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    May 31, 2017
    K Charles wrote:
    What you plugged it into was no good


    This. The receptacle was slightly burned before you got there and needed to be replaced. It created a high resistance at the plug and that caused heat. You now have a plug which must be replaced, as it will burn the receptacle when next you plug in.
  • Camreal's avatar
    Camreal
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    Your plug has been overheated too many times. You can go to Home depot and buy a replacement plug. Your AC and appliances will appreciate it.
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    BB_TX wrote:
    Probably the park outlet was worn, causing poor connection and resistance at the plug, and resulting in the heating. But you should replace your plug now.


    X2
  • wrgrs50s's avatar
    wrgrs50s
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    The usual cause of this is the receptacle on the power pedestal is worn out, therefore poor contact with the blades on your plug.

    I use a 50amp adapter if my 30 amp plug doesn't seem to fit snug in the receptacle when 50 amp is available. The 30 amp receptacle on the power pedestal gets so much more use they tend to wear out and no longer provide a snug fit.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    May 31, 2017
    Probably the park outlet was worn, causing poor connection and resistance at the plug, and resulting in the heating. But you should replace your plug now.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    May 31, 2017
    That happened with my travel trailer.. The end is molded and probably the wire is frayed inside.

    What I did was hack the end off and installed a new plug. All was well after that...

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