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scout3351's avatar
scout3351
Explorer
Jul 21, 2020

electrical problems

Having electrical issues after loaning out trailer for a week. AC doesn't work, refridgerater works only on gas, sparks blowing out of converter. Opened converter because I could see debris behind the fan. Both capaciters were split open with the contents laying all over. While checking things out I got a scare when I was checking the neutral bar. I'm no electrician but I don't believe the white wire going to the neutral bar should read 120v. Red wire going to breaker is 120v. Black wire going to next breaker is 120v. Ground wire to grounding bar is fine. If I just plug in with 120v cable its fine. It's when I plug in with the 220v 30 amp cable that things get ugly. How can the neutral wire get hot when plugged in with 220v?
  • scout3351's avatar
    scout3351
    Explorer
    Jul 24, 2020
    I put the 2 new capacitors in the converter and it is working again. Put a new AC unit on the roof and that is working again. I replaced a 5 amp fuse on the circuit board on the fridge and replaced the heat tube and that is working again. Got out of this mess for less than $800. Thanks You Tube videos and thanks to you guys. No one but me will ever pull this trailer out of the yard again.
  • scout3351's avatar
    scout3351
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2020
    I always keep the trailer plugged in to 110v when its at home to keep the batteries up. Thats how I found the converter was blown up. Had him bring the adapter he used. That's when I found out about the hot neutral wire. I visualize giving him 20 lashes with the his adapter. Still waiting on the new converter and ordered 2 new capaciters to see if I can bring the old one back to life.
  • bob213's avatar
    bob213
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.

    The way I read the OP is was not the person he lent it to that plugged in to 220V it was the OP himself. Either way I'm sure he has an expensive mess to clean up. :(
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    2oldman wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    Sounds like a joke.
    My opinion exactly, he must be bored.
    I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.


    This is an example why the vast majority of us would NEVER lend our RV to anyone, not even family.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 21, 2020
    scout3351,


    120 volt AC
    Any device that was on, or in standby (microwave) is at risk of being damaged. The best thing to do is to test them one by one.

    Test the 120 volt element in the Fridge.

    12 volt DC

    Any device with computer boards that was being "fed" by the now blown up converter may have failed. You can test those more or less immediately if the 12 volt battery still works.
  • scout3351's avatar
    scout3351
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    oh, we've had conversations. Believe me. And we're not done yet. What else may have been fried? Fridge now only works on gas. Are there any fuses in the circuit boards? Anything else? I will definitely "test" the electrician when he comes Friday.
    I am amazed at the amount of knowledge that is here and the willingness to share it. Thank you.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2020
    Lynnmor wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    Sounds like a joke.
    My opinion exactly, he must be bored.
    I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.
  • Alan_Hepburn's avatar
    Alan_Hepburn
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    cavie wrote:
    time2roll wrote:
    So you have a 50 amp RV and you are using a 50/30 RV adapter and plugging into a NEMA 10-30 outlet? Yea.... DON'T DO THAT.

    Many things have now been burned up starting with the converter. The supply is 240v and the adapter is 120v.


    Using a dog bone to plug 50 into 30 is done all the time.No problem.


    Nope - plugging an RV into a NEMA 10-30 outlet causes problems; plugging an RV into a NEMA TT30 outlet is what is done all the time...

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