Electrical Question
I've learned on this forum to plug my extension cord into the trailer before plugging the other end into the wall outlet, like when I'm in my driveway . (to avoid arching) Makes sense, and doing it th...
Forum Discussion
dougrainer wrote:
The battery disconnect has NOTHING to do with your 120 system or extension cord. It is just a 12 volt relay. Doug
That's not the point ... by leaving the battery connected the converter will when it sees 120 vac input power attempt to charge any battery sitting at anything less than 100% SOC. If the battery in question is significantly depleted the converter will instantly begin to draw several amps as it starts the bulk charging process and by definition will therefore cause a spark when the trailer's main service cable is plugged into a hot source. If the OP is not using an EMS that will prevent this then he would be wise to turn his battery disconnect switch to off before plugging into 120 vac shore power so the converter won't instantly go into bulk charge mode ... but you already know that. ;)
BTW, for those who say turn off the breaker at the campsite post before plugging in the answer is that's sometimes easier to say than to do ... I know of several parks here where the campsite post has no breakers at all, just receptacles, so when you plug in you're hot plugging. Here's one such example - duplex 15 amp receptacle at the top, a 30 amp below it, no breakers, and a water tap on the opposite side of the post.
In this case it's just that much more important to make sure there are no loads on the circuit before plugging in OR better still protect your rig with an EMS which will do this automatically for you. I do the latter.
