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StephJohn2010's avatar
StephJohn2010
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013

Confusing Electrical Problem with my TRC Surge Guard

I have a Surge Guard 40250 with an automatic transfer switch. I'm currently hooked up to shore power at a big rv park.

My problem over the past couple days is my surge protector keeps shutting down the electric to my rig (about 7 times in the last 2 days). Here is what I've observed from the digital readout remote installed with the surge guard: L1 voltage would be 132 and L2 voltage would be 127 with only a 1 or 2 amp load on each line. Then I'd turn the electric water heater on (10amp load). L1 voltage would go to 133 and L2 voltage would be 125. I would when also add another 10 amp load with the electric heat pump. Both the electric water heater and electric heat pump are on L2. After about 15 seconds, my surge protector disconnects the shore power from my rig because of high voltage in L1.

I plan on contacting the office of the rv park tomorrow, but wanted to get people's opinion on this forum. What's going on here? Thanks in advance.

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  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 02, 2013
    The campground should have tested it with a healthy unbalanced load.
    Not sure how they tested neutral. There is different ways. O on what scale?
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    StephJohn2010 wrote:
    The campground guys have come out and test the pedestal and it tested 124, 125 on each leg. They said that was fine, but replaced the breaker and the 50 amp receptacle just to be safe. They retested and it read the same on each leg. They also said the neutral on the pedestal tested fine (which is 0?) I have an electrician coming over to check out my rig's connections later this afternoon. Well see...


    Did the CG guys check the L1 and L2 with an UNBALANCED LOAD. No load voltages mean nothing when trouble shooting a questionable neutral.

    How long have you been staying at this CG? Does your RV have recent experience(s) at other CGs.
  • StephJohn2010's avatar
    StephJohn2010
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    The campground guys have come out and test the pedestal and it tested 124, 125 on each leg. They said that was fine, but replaced the breaker and the 50 amp receptacle just to be safe. They retested and it read the same on each leg. They also said the neutral on the pedestal tested fine (which is 0?) I have an electrician coming over to check out my rig's connections later this afternoon. Well see...
  • MM49's avatar
    MM49
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    Harvard wrote:
    It appears you have a faulty NEUTRAL conductor (high resistance) some where feeding your pedestal.
    I would agree. I keep 8' of 10awg in the TT just to rebuild the park boxes. The neutral often overheat because of the 100% duty cycle. They should run a larger gauge, but they never do. There is no shortage of loads in a RV park.
    MM49
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 02, 2013
    Yes a defective neutral between your rig and the power source.
    If you have a volt meter check between the power legs and neutral at the pedestal. then check between the power legs and ground. Then measure between ground and neutral for voltage.
    Inspect your shore power cord pedestal end for discoloration which could indicate your cord body could be going bad.
    I would report the problem to the campground NOW.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    StephJohn2010 wrote:
    Harvard wrote:
    It appears you have a faulty NEUTRAL conductor (high resistance) some where feeding your pedestal.


    So you mean the rv park's pedestal right? Not something on my rig?


    Somewhere between the point of L1 and L2 measurements and the supply source. If the surge protector is at the pedestal then it is the parks problem. If the surge protector is in the RV then you need to suspect the RV wiring to the pedestal as well.
  • StephJohn2010's avatar
    StephJohn2010
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    Harvard wrote:
    It appears you have a faulty NEUTRAL conductor (high resistance) some where feeding your pedestal.


    So you mean the rv park's pedestal right? Not something on my rig?
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    It appears you have a faulty NEUTRAL conductor (high resistance) some where feeding your pedestal.

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