Uneven voltages on 50 Amp

larryt1939 wrote:
Thanks eveyone, I knew if I got on this forum I would get some help. I have about pulled my hair out. I think my problem is in the garage where the line comes in from the meter. Way in the back the nuetral terminal seems to be stripped.

If this is where the line feeds the main panel for the house, then you'd have problems throughout the house, not only in your RV. Regardless, if the connection looks questionable, it is of course best to get it checked out and fixed if needed; a poor neutral connection in a split phase system is bad news regardless of where it is. It could be making adequate electrical connection for the time being but liable to give trouble if mechanically insecure.

If only your RV is experiencing the voltage swings, your problem is somewhere in the circuit associated with the RV, either in the house/garage wiring or in the RV power inlet wiring.

Build yourselfs one of these. Lots of other information here

I got a bellyfull of manifold/buss problems and had a machine shop friend make up a replacement buss out of one inch square copper stock. The lengthwise hole was hard to drill but the extra long threads due to the thickness of the bar allowed extra long silicon bronze set screws. Then I had the bar nickel plated. Shows you how irrational a temper tantrum can make a person.

larryt1939 wrote:
Thanks eveyone, I knew if I got on this forum I would get some help. I have about pulled my hair out. I think my problem is in the garage where the line comes in from the meter. Way in the back the nuetral terminal seems to be stripped.

Glad you found it, and it may be time to call a licensed sparky if the main neutral terminal in the house panel box is stripped.

The power company will come out and test it at the meter. It is often at the pole where they tap off the mainline. We lived on the beach and it was very common.

They take the meter out and plug in an electronic load box and draw mucho amps from each side then both.

Thanks eveyone, I knew if I got on this forum I would get some help. I have about pulled my hair out. I think my problem is in the garage where the line comes in from the meter. Way in the back the nuetral terminal seems to be stripped.

larryt1939 wrote:
With the 13v disconnected the converter still causes a severe unbalance, does this mean the converter is bad.

No it indicates the converter is not yet damaged from low or high voltage caused by the bad neutral.

enblethen wrote:
You have an open neutral.

Been there, Done that, and yes, I had an open neutral.

Ceiling fan should be 12 volt or is this an after market type.

With the 13v disconnected the converter still causes a severe unbalance, does this mean the converter is bad.

larryt1939 wrote:
Thanks for all the replys. This is a Jayco 5th Wheel, 2007. I just went and checked for the jillionth time that there is 120 on both sides and 240 between them. At the disconnect in the garage and the recept at the end of 50 amp direct burial. Checked continuity on 50 amp cable and in breaker box inside the RV. 240 across main breaker 120 from each side to neutral. WA3YEY@yahoo.com

I would check all neutral connections for looseness and/or corrosion. Things may measure OK with a voltmeter when there is no load, but apply a load and a neutral with high resistance due to loose connection or corrosion may act like it's "open" under a load.

One way to check in the RV is to turn off all breakers going to one hot leg, leaving only one hot leg with a load on it. Turn on whatever is connected and see if it works. You need to measure voltage with a load. A neutral with high resistance will cause low voltage under a load like this, and why it's important to have nothing connected to the other leg because the other leg will see high voltage when the one you are testing sees low voltage.