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MNRon's avatar
MNRon
Explorer
Aug 05, 2016

Would you plug in?

Just pulled in to CG in TX. Plugged in the Surge and got a red fault stating L1 and Nuetral reversed and/or L2 and Nuetral. Got my attention so I pulled out the DVM and found L1-N-L2 was 120v-120v-240v as expected. The issue was GND-N was 40v, and L1-GND was 80v; L2-GND was 160v.

Went to office and was told electrical was just completely redone a month ago so can't be a problem. Also stated 4sites share electrical so I could move if wanted. After checking the 8/9 other open sites I found the same issue all over the park.

Given I'm HOT and DW wants AC, dozen other campers here are plugged in and running AC fine, AND Nuetral is good it's "just" GND - I informed office and decided to plug in for night. As long as my stuff just runs L1/L2-N AND I don't have a fault I'm OK. I don't like it but we're hot...

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  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2016
    JoeTampa wrote:
    EMS says "no", unplug and go.


    OP says he has a "Surge", whatever that is. :h If it truly is an EMS unit then it wouldn't pass power to his trailer in the first place if it read an error like this. Kinda pointless having a device that tells you there's a problem but then does nothing about it. :R
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Aug 05, 2016
    MHRon,

    Great thread, not for you of course but valuable.

    And please consider: find out when the electrician will be there and pull the power cord regardless of the temperature. ie You never want to be on shore power while work is in progress! :(

    Update: Just saw that you won't be there tomorrow when the electrician arrives, but perhaps the above will be helpful to others.
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2016
    Pianotuna - agree on running the genny. Unfortunately we cleared out our stuff this run so we could load up kids stuff and play mover for him. Consequently, just lots of boxes no generator; otherwise we would be running it as you suggest.

    Gbopp - Lake Hawkins RV park, just north of Tyler TX. Would say it's a beautiful park other than their electrical...hopefully they resolve that tomorrow as they say they will.

    BTW - cooled down inside enough now that dogs tongues aren't hanging out and DW and I aren't dripping wet. Still don't like circumstances but trusting that we'll be fine for the night. Looking forward to different CG tomorrow.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 05, 2016
    Hi,

    I would have run my generator, but only if I were too exhausted to continue to travel.

    BTW anyone who wants to prevent brown outs should consider the new Hughes autoformer which does test polarity, bad neutral, bad ground has limited surge capability, and of course corrects low voltage.



    http://hughesautoformers.com/
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2016
    Agree they have a bonding issue, or another GND problem downstream. Choochooman, I don't want to provide that bonding for the whole campground (and maybe one of the other campers that does have a fault condition...) so I'm definitely not going to create my own GND bond.

    Ps - the office did say they would get an electrician out first thing in the morning, but I'll be gone by then. Just taking my chances tonight but limiting use of items with a ground plug just in case they have an unknown fault and thereby create that 'bond' I don't want to be...
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Aug 05, 2016
    MNRon wrote:
    Just pulled in to CG in TX. Plugged in the Surge and got a red fault stating L1 and Nuetral reversed and/or L2 and Nuetral. Got my attention so I pulled out the DVM and found L1-N-L2 was 120v-120v-240v as expected. The issue was GND-N was 40v, and L1-GND was 80v; L2-GND was 160v.

    Went to office and was told electrical was just completely redone a month ago so can't be a problem. Also stated 4sites share electrical so I could move if wanted. After checking the 8/9 other open sites I found the same issue all over the park.

    Given I'm HOT and DW wants AC, dozen other campers here are plugged in and running AC fine, AND Nuetral is good it's "just" GND - I informed office and decided to plug in for night. As long as my stuff just runs L1/L2-N AND I don't have a fault I'm OK. I don't like it but we're hot...
    The neutral and ground are not correctly bonded and it's a potential safety issue.

    I would not accept the BS from the office as any electrician will tell them there is a problem.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 05, 2016
    Sounds like the person doing the installation or rebuild screwed up. It sounds as though the neutral and ground at the service panel is not terminated correctly or the main bonding jumper has not been installed.
    Disconnect from system and get out!

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