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Teeshot1939's avatar
Teeshot1939
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015

Weird but true..please help.

I have a 1999 Fleetwood Southwind 36T with 30amp service using a hard-wired SurgeGuard. Having no problems last 5 years but I am at a "new to me" military campground and during a rainstorm with heavy winds I lost power repeatedly. Management said blame the weather. Sun is shining now and I still have a problem. On generator power ALL 6 circuits work fine. On shore power the surgeguard trips OFF if I turn #3 circuit on. This #3 circuit has 2 TV's and one gas/electric refrigerator. (my neighbors power surged to 141 on his meter during the storm)
What are the potential causes....any help appreciated. Ret. US ARMY
  • Here's the update. The military campground did have electrical problems which appear to be corrected after 2 visits by the electricians. At one point my pedestal was varying between 77 and 102 volts while my neighbor was between 137 and 199!
    We are now both at 124v at the pedestal and ALL SIX of my circuits, including TV's and refrigerator working fine on shore power. (never had the problem on genset power)
    I am still baffled as to why 5 of the 6 circuits worked since it is now proven that the problem was external and BEFORE my surge protector. Is there some special circuitry or device inside my rig that shut down only that circuit to protect the major appliances?
  • bob_nestor wrote:
    Teeshot1939 wrote:
    Thanks for the responses. But why does the circuit work, including TV and refrigerator, when on generator power? I did try unplugging the refrigerator and number 3 circuit still causes the surge protector to trip off.


    The surge protector is probably wired in front of the transfer switch, so it only protects the shore power side. This is normal since you wouldn't expect to see problems on generator power.


    X2
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Sounds like the park wiring is a tad anemic.. NOT common in Military or COE parks but possible.
  • Teeshot1939 wrote:
    Thanks for the responses. But why does the circuit work, including TV and refrigerator, when on generator power? I did try unplugging the refrigerator and number 3 circuit still causes the surge protector to trip off.


    The surge protector is probably wired in front of the transfer switch, so it only protects the shore power side. This is normal since you wouldn't expect to see problems on generator power.
  • Thanks for the responses. But why does the circuit work, including TV and refrigerator, when on generator power? I did try unplugging the refrigerator and number 3 circuit still causes the surge protector to trip off.
  • It's the fridge or tv
    I'm surprised you did not do an unplug test before you posted
    Since you know that a particular circuit has the problem
  • Try turning the fridge off, or gas only. The 110 volt heating element on the fridge could be shorted.

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