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LivingOntheLam's avatar
LivingOntheLam
Explorer
Apr 03, 2018

Did I Burn my Air Conditioning, Microwave, & Fridge?

I'm new to the RV world. Just finished a trip to Arizona and used a heavy duty 50ft extension Cord my dad gave me with a 15amp to 30amp adapter & surge protector designed for rv. The protector showed an open neutral but it was hot out & I used it over night. I pluged it into my friends garage wall outlet. I ran the air conditioning & fridge & briefly used the microwave. When I got home I realized it was the extension cord that was causing the open neutral. The appliances still all work but do you think i compromised their life expectancy? I am definatly going to buy a 30amp extension.

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  • Cobra21's avatar
    Cobra21
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    BurbMan wrote:
    Where's a guy even buy a 6ga extension cord? 10 gauge is fine for 50', that's what a 30a RV cord will be.

    LivingontheLam, you are fine if everything still works. Open neutrals are dangerous, more so for humans than appliances. Sounds like the cord was well grounded so you had a good circuit even though the neutral was open.


    Yes 10 gauge, I stand corrected. Not enough coffee yet I guess.
    Brian
  • LivingOntheLam's avatar
    LivingOntheLam
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    Thank you guys for all the quick and informative responses. That gives me piece of mind that I didn't damage anything. I'll never do that again. I can already tell this is a great group and im going to learn a lot. This is my first post to this form so im sorry if I didn't do it right. I drove 14hrs and it was 6am so i was exhausted & stressed about the potential power problem. I did update my info. I'm loving the V6 Sprinter turbo Desil and the mpg of the Desil #2.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 03, 2018
    azdryheat wrote:
    You would've popped a circuit breaker in your RV if there was an issue.


    No, a CB will not protect against an open ground.

    OP, since everything ran OK I don't think any damage was done. Had you applied 240V to it everything would be fried quickly.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Apr 03, 2018
    Where's a guy even buy a 6ga extension cord? 10 gauge is fine for 50', that's what a 30a RV cord will be.

    LivingontheLam, you are fine if everything still works. Open neutrals are dangerous, more so for humans than appliances. Sounds like the cord was well grounded so you had a good circuit even though the neutral was open.
  • Cobra21's avatar
    Cobra21
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    A 50 foot cord less than 6 gauge wire is to small for air. The wall outlet in the garage is most likely only a 20 amp. outlet. You want to be plugged into a 30 amp. outlet and running proper cord when using the air conditioner. Get an RV 30 amp. extension cord if needed for running air, and plug into a 30 amp recepticle.
    Brian
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    If everything is working I don't think you damaged anything or shortened the life expectancy of your appliances.

    Consider putting your RV info in your profile, maybe another member has a similar unit and can furnish better information.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2018
    You would've popped a circuit breaker in your RV if there was an issue.

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