Forum Discussion

dreader3's avatar
dreader3
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015

Trailer won't operate on plugged in power

Having a confounding problem. My Cougar RLS27 won't run on shore power, only on the batteries.

On my latest three day camping trip, when we plugged into the 30 amp outlet at the state park our trailer was read - no appliances, no 110 outlets. It would only run off of battery power. Before we left, we had the trailer plugged into a 110 circuit at home with no issues. We thought it might be the power converter, so when we got back I replaced it but no change. Interesting this is that it appears to have power at the breaker box. When I test from ground to all the breakers, I'm getting a 110 reading. Even getting power input to the converter.

Has anyone seen an issue like this and have a suggestion? Would really appreciate the help.

Thanks
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Aug 31, 2015
    Sounds like it was a problem with the park breaker. Did you check for power at the park pedestal?

    Are you saying it does not work at home now after the trip to the campground?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 31, 2015
    120V AC power comes from shore power source.......pedestal etc.
    Goes thru your 30A rv power cord to Main AC Power Panel thru the 30A MAIN Circuit Breakers.
    AC Power Panel buss is hot when Main 30A CB is Closed.....then the individual circuit breakers feed the various AC equipment when they are closed.


    SO if you have 120V AC power at pedestal and thru cord to AC Panel and CBs are closed then AC appliances and outlets should be hot


    Unless you have a generator... which gets plugged into outlet where rv cord is OR a transfer switch that is stuck on 'GEN'
  • pulsar's avatar
    pulsar
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2015
    ...
    We thought it might be the power converter, so when we got back I replaced it but no change.
    ...


    When you got home and plugged in, you still did not have power to the 120 VAC outlets?

    Did you check the coach's main 120 VAC circuit breaker?

    Does your coach have a transfer switch?

    Tom
  • sail2liv's avatar
    sail2liv
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2015
    A good surge gard that gives volts and amps is a must in RVing.....has saved my unit a multitude of times ..... one federal park had no other campers and all pedestals had rev polarity....good luck
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 31, 2015
    Did you check the breakers to the neutral? Test to ground does not verify neutral is not open.
    Could have an open neutral in shore power cord connector, or somewhere in the circuit.
  • dreader3's avatar
    dreader3
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2015
    No, the AC power does not work at home now either.

    I had a friend with a tester at the park with us and he tested the source. Power was available. All the breakers I can access in the power panel have been checked and all look good. All the 12v fuses are good too. Reverse polarity fuses are also good.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 31, 2015
    Did you check the power to the rig between the neutral and the main circuit breaker?
    Do you have a detachable cord?
    Breakers need to be reset by turning to off position with light pressure toward off, then turn main on, then each branch breaker one at a time.
    Fuses are for the 12 volt system only.
  • dreader3's avatar
    dreader3
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2015
    I do not have a detachable cord. How do I test between the main breaker and the neutral?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 31, 2015
    To test between neutral and breaker, remove dead front
    breaker panel. Locate the white wires(neutrals), connect volt meter between the black wire coming from the shore cord and the white wire. You should have 120 volts + or -.
    I am going to guess that the twist lock detachable cord has had the neutral come loos in it. Common problem. Disconnect the shore power cord and check for continuity between the pedestal end and the corresponding end on the twist lock connector using an Ohm meter.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2015
    Ya know this is why I like the standoff voltage detectors so well. Gotta missing neutral the detector fires off on both the line and the neutral. Instant verification. Makes for a 10-second diagnosis and it'll even reveal where the neutral break is. Gotta break in L1 or L2, the voltage sensor will tell a person where that break is as well. Broken circuit cords, plugs, receptacles there is little reason to do diagnostics the hard-way.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,188 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 19, 2025