Safe shore Power

[grandpalarry]

I bought one of the little yellow power post testers that shows if it's safe to use.
My question is, if I plug into the 120 plug and the lights show OK, does that mean the 30 amp and 50 amp. are safe or just the 120 volt ???
I have a pigtail that I can use to check the wireing threw the 30 amp plug, but what about the 50 amp. ?
I've never had a problem but I pretty much stay at well maintained parks because my wife uses a walker and can't deal with uneven ground.
40 foot DP Holiday Rambler

[Bumpyroad]

HappyKayakers wrote:

Rich D. wrote:
While I agree wholeheartedly with the posts recommending a full time protection device, the OP asked about checking the power before plugging in. The devices mentioned will protect from many power problems but a suspect outlet should be tested before even plugging in your protection device.

You're absolutely right. My PI unit does check the pedestal before supplying power to the RV. If there's a problem, it will display the appropriate error code so I can tell the office what's wrong. I consider ANY outlet suspect until I've tested it.

right, if you buy a good multifunction surge protector it will test the circuit before passing voltage to your RV. the $99 specials won't.
bumpy

[HappyKayakers]

Rich D. wrote:
While I agree wholeheartedly with the posts recommending a full time protection device, the OP asked about checking the power before plugging in. The devices mentioned will protect from many power problems but a suspect outlet should be tested before even plugging in your protection device.

You're absolutely right. My PI unit does check the pedestal before supplying power to the RV. If there's a problem, it will display the appropriate error code so I can tell the office what's wrong. I consider ANY outlet suspect until I've tested it.

[Rich_D_]

While I agree wholeheartedly with the posts recommending a full time protection device, the OP asked about checking the power before plugging in. The devices mentioned will protect from many power problems but a suspect outlet should be tested before even plugging in your protection device.

[Bumpyroad]

I have a portable and kept/used it while it was locked up in a basement compartment. also epoxyed a padlock hasp on the side to run a locked cable to.
bumpy

[klm]

OP, follow previous posters advice - get a progressive!!!! I had one hard wired, I didn't want it outside by the pedestal. I was in a very upscale park, something in my pedestal went haywire - burnt one leg to a crisp!!! It was 100% park electrical issue (hnot my rv) - my progressive saved my electronics!! Don't think electrical surges/drops etc can't happen in nice parks - protect your rig

[Bumpyroad]

dave17352 wrote:
So do you have to use either a 30 amp or 50 amp surge protector. Do you have to have both. Some parks only have 30 amps. Or do you just use a 30 amp adapter to the power pole if you have a 50 amp service.

you do not need both. if you have a 50 amp RV, get a 50 amp one. use an adapter to plug in to 30 amp service.
bumpy

[BarbaraOK]

30 amp adapter to the power pole is what you use.

Barb

[dave17352]

So do you have to use either a 30 amp or 50 amp surge protector. Do you have to have both. Some parks only have 30 amps. Or do you just use a 30 amp adapter to the power pole if you have a 50 amp service.

[BarbaraOK]

Actually, CW carries the Surge Guard, not the Progressive Industries one. But lots of other places to pick one up.

Barb

[WoodGlue]

OP, do yourself and invest in a lifetime warranty Progressive Industries Surge Protector:



It will save your bacon. They make them in 30amp and 50amp versions and are available from places like Camping World, etcc.

WoodGlue

[Bumpyroad]

if you aren't using a good 50 amp multi-function surge protector get one. $350 or so?
bumpy

[mscamping]

Power can go bad in any park, no one can guarantee good power.. Not even the power company..
I'll second the motion about Progressive Industries 50 amp unit.. We've had ours for about 7 years and the voltage was reading alittle high, I contacted them and they sent me a new board at no cost except for return postage for the old board($5.80).. That to us means alot, service after the sale and beyond.. This just happened last week.. Mike Mathews..

[Mandalay_Parr]

HappyKayakers wrote:
Even if the post tests good before you plug in, conditions can change. That's why I use a portable unit from PI all the time.

I agree 100%. Get the Progressive Industries PT50C.
I have seen problems develop after being parked and much damage done.

[rgatijnet1]

The ONLY thing those checkers will tell you is if the polarity is OK. A volt meter will tell you if the voltage is OK, but it does not tell you what the voltage will be once you put a load on it and start drawing 30 or 50 amps.
That is the reason why many people have a device that continuously monitors the voltage and polarity under a load and shuts things down if there is a surge or if the voltage drops too low.