Hello all, Im Bob, a newbie here, please bare with me.My problem, My RV/ motorhome which i live in full time,I am wired in for 50 amp service 220 V ac, the issue is, had my lights go out today,and after smelling something "odd" hot or burnt ish, took a bit but regained lights and heat, now it seems that my micro wont work, digi clock wont even come on, the other 1/2 went to turn on her elec blanket to no avail, i looked and noticed on the controller for said blanket, the small indicator lights were horribly dim, had to look closely to see them at all.I would appear to be low voltage, somewhere well below 110 V ac.Could this be ? how and why ??I wont know untill later for sure when i obtain a volt meter.Im not sure of the wiring in a system such as this. Ideas ?? Thanx guys Bob

First of all - welcome!If correctly wired, your outlet should be the same as a modern range. ie 2 hots, a neutral and a ground.You see 220V across the 2 hots but 110V from each hot to neutral. Most equipment in your RV will use one or other of the 110V circuits.I assume everything has been working OK so it sounds to me as if you have lost your neutral and are getting way more than 110V on one half of the rig and way less on the other.You may have done damage to the equipment that saw the "high" side.A voltmeter is in order before you try to run anything.Check the supply outlet and in your panel in the unit.

You said you got the lights and heat back on - more information on what you did to make that happen would likely be helpful. Do you have anything working that is plugged into an outlet? Sounds like you only have 12 volt items running now? Do you have an inverter in your RV? Do you have a generator? If you do, do you get better results if you run the generator?

When you get your multimeter this shows what you should read on the shore power side of your 50 AMP service...Please use caution with you multimeter probes as you will read 240VAC between the two HOT connections.I have one of these RV 120VAC Voltmeters plugged into a 120VAC receptacle in my trailer at a good spot so I can give it a quick glance and see that 120VAC is in the "GREEN" safe zone...Roy Ken

and when you get things back to working right again, buy a multi-function surge protector to protect you against various issues.bumpy

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12 Replies

john_bet
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2013
Time to check the connections on the transfer switch. As in real quick.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2013
".....and after smelling something "odd" hot or burnt ish, took a bit but regained lights and heat....."

I'm curious as to what this statement means and what was done :H

Doesn't sound good and should point in direction of problem.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Dec 26, 2013
I suggest you find an electrical person to help you. Don't wait too long. Might also have loose connections in your power distribution panel.
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 26, 2013
Commonly this is from a bad neutral in the RV or Campground wiring.
Bad neutral causes one side to be over voltage and the other side under voltage.
Frequently the issue is in the transfer switch. But the issue can be a list of things in various places.

Get a voltmeter if you are inclined to do this yourself.

Otherwise if something like replacing the transfer switch yourself seems too complex then you are better to leave this to a professional. For starters have the campground manager check the pedestal.

Or to get the lights on... buy a portable automatic battery charger of at least 10 amps rated. Get an extension cord so you can go direct from the pedestal to the house battery. Just slap it on, no need to disconnect anything.

Keep posting updates for best answers.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2013
Sounds to me like you lost a neutral as well, or if not a neutral a hot, and very likely inside your RV, Your voltmeters are your friend in a case like this.

Did it once in the Sticks and Bricks.
mchero
Explorer
Dec 26, 2013
This will be an interesting thread. OP needs to get us some voltage readings!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 26, 2013
Please check the voltage at the pedestal.
1492
Moderator
Dec 26, 2013
Moved from Forum Technical Support
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 26, 2013
and when you get things back to working right again, buy a multi-function surge protector to protect you against various issues.
bumpy
RoyB
Explorer II
Dec 26, 2013
When you get your multimeter this shows what you should read on the shore power side of your 50 AMP service...

Please use caution with you multimeter probes as you will read 240VAC between the two HOT connections.

I have one of these RV 120VAC Voltmeters plugged into a 120VAC receptacle in my trailer at a good spot so I can give it a quick glance and see that 120VAC is in the "GREEN" safe zone...

Roy Ken

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