So the plug that came with camper I noticed a few trips ago was burnt , black , and melted. It happened on the right prong it seemed . So we bought a new chord. It was just around 100 bucks . That's alot of money for us. We camped once and no problems. Now our second time out , upon packing up I noticed the right prong on our brand new chord turned black and a little melting. Is their anything I can try before I bring it in to get serviced

I'm far from an expert but it strikes me you are pulling too much power. I'd have someone in the know take a look at your power draw and try to work out what is pulling so much because it probably is malfunctioning or is something you can't realistically use in conjunction with other devices.

The most common cause is a bad connection at the plug. Where are you plugging it in? Do you plug in at home, or only at campgrounds?The receptacles can wear out, and become a loose fit, which leads to heat and or arcing... The evidence is what you are seeing on your plug.... Also, adaptors are notorious for causing these problems. A lot of people skimp on the adaptor... Big mistake.

Check and make sure the receptacle at the campsite pedestal is in good condition. If it is loose it will cause arching and heat up and burn and melt your cord end.

The receptacle was worn and damaged your new cord/plug. There isn't much you can do about this but here are a few thoughts:If you have a 30A RV and can plug into 50A, use a "dog bone" adapter and do so. The 30A receptacles in many parks are worn out while the 50A receptacles are generally tighter and over built for only a 30A rig. If you have a 50A RV there's not a lot you can do. When either a 30A or 50A plug (male side) is damaged, just replace the end, not the whole cord. Much cheaper and you may actually get a better connection than off-shore factories employ on the plug that came with your new cord.Camco replacement plugs have very good internal connections and are relatively cheap.

Huntindog wrote:The most common cause is a bad connection at the plug. Where are you plugging it in? Do you plug in at home, or only at campgrounds?The receptacles can wear out, and become a loose fit, which leads to heat and or arcing... The evidence is what you are seeing on your plug.... Also, adaptors are notorious for causing these problems. A lot of people skimp on the adaptor... Big mistake.I plug in at both. Only at home firb2!days before we leave for the fridge to get going . I USe an adapter so I can plug into wall. The problem is definitely at the campground. There's no adapter I should be using when plugging into campground correct ?

Electric advice needed | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Aug 05, 2018
The receptacle was worn and damaged your new cord/plug.
There isn't much you can do about this but here are a few thoughts:

If you have a 30A RV and can plug into 50A, use a "dog bone" adapter and do so. The 30A receptacles in many parks are worn out while the 50A receptacles are generally tighter and over built for only a 30A rig.

If you have a 50A RV there's not a lot you can do. When either a 30A or 50A plug (male side) is damaged, just replace the end, not the whole cord. Much cheaper and you may actually get a better connection than off-shore factories employ on the plug that came with your new cord.

Camco replacement plugs have very good internal connections and are relatively cheap.
camper-don
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018
Check and make sure the receptacle at the campsite pedestal is in good condition. If it is loose it will cause arching and heat up and burn and melt your cord end.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018
The most common cause is a bad connection at the plug. Where are you plugging it in? Do you plug in at home, or only at campgrounds?

The receptacles can wear out, and become a loose fit, which leads to heat and or arcing... The evidence is what you are seeing on your plug.... Also, adaptors are notorious for causing these problems. A lot of people skimp on the adaptor... Big mistake.
am1958
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018
I'm far from an expert but it strikes me you are pulling too much power. I'd have someone in the know take a look at your power draw and try to work out what is pulling so much because it probably is malfunctioning or is something you can't realistically use in conjunction with other devices.

Forum Discussion

Electric advice needed

34 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Electric

Electrical assistance

Need Advice

Need advice-Swapping Manual Awning for Aftermarket Electric

Aliner electrical problems - need advice