How often are campgrounds 50A only?

cdevidal wrote:
Got the surge suppressor the next day (Amazon shipping rocks) and installed it last night. It claimed the outlet I was plugged into was reverse polarity. Which is odd because everything appeared to be working before plugging it in, although I didn't try the A/C or microwave -- but the micro clock was lit. I don't know if that would work or not. Probably it has an internal rectifier.

So anyway, so far it's been a good purchase. If I'd have blown something on the wrong wiring that'd have been ugly.

Appliances don't care about reverse polarity, as AC power alternates polarity 120 times every second. They will work properly indefinitely. The concern is more one of human safety, as switches are wired to be on the hot line and not the neutral, so circuitry is energized (but now powered, if that makes sense) when switched off, and the inner shells of lamp sockets are live all the time, and so forth.

Got the surge suppressor the next day (Amazon shipping rocks) and installed it last night. It claimed the outlet I was plugged into was reverse polarity. Which is odd because everything appeared to be working before plugging it in, although I didn't try the A/C or microwave -- but the micro clock was lit. I don't know if that would work or not. Probably it has an internal rectifier.

So anyway, so far it's been a good purchase. If I'd have blown something on the wrong wiring that'd have been ugly.

Hahaha. I think I'll save my pennies for today and put that on a future buy list. Thanks all!

cdevidal wrote:


Sorry, I had in mind the other way 'round. I understand you two to be saying that the tester is redundant because the surge protector does the same job equally well, but by simply plugging in a little device you can save time not hauling out the cord first. Did I get that right?

Considering the progressive you bought, yes the little tester is technically redundant.However, it can save you a lot of aggravation since it can be used pre-setup. You coud even use it prior to backing into (onto ???) the site.

Considering how SOME of you back up----that little $10.00 item could save you hours, might make the difference between a good/bad weekend, and even save a marriage or two. Then again, my Friday evening would be less entertaining. :R

rockhillmanor wrote:
There are numerous types of 'plug in' surge protectors and there are 'hard wired' in surge protectors available for RV's.

NOT all of them will show in line wiring problems. Some just will shut off only when a surge occurs the hard wired ones are more intricate and some even show what that tester shows. I have the simple inexpensive plug in surge protector.

The less expensive plug in surge protectors will not shut off when an open ground is at the shore station.

BUT.... The Progressive he bought will show him open ground, reverse polarity, etc... (Check out page 6, he told us what he bought). I have a similar model (Progressive Industries HW30C 30 Amp Hardwired Electrical Management System with Remote Display).

Plus I carry the "GE 3-Wire Receptacle Tester 50542" to check prior to leveling, unhooking, etc... Like others have said: Yes my progressive will tell me, but I sure don't want to be completely set up when I find out. I guess you can drag out the cord, go check the display for a read-out, then if all is ok (restow the cord) and set up. I got tired JUST TYPING it!!!!

cdevidal wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

cdevidal wrote:
So the circuit tester is really "convenience insurance" not really to protect the surge suppressor, wouldn't you say?...

Yes. The tester is NOT a replacement for using a surge protector.It does not protect anything just let's you know what is going on with the shore station before you plug in.

Sorry, I had in mind the other way 'round. I understand you two to be saying that the tester is redundant because the surge protector does the same job equally well, but by simply plugging in a little device you can save time not hauling out the cord first. Did I get that right?

There are numerous types of 'plug in' surge protectors and there are 'hard wired' in surge protectors available for RV's.

NOT all of them will show in line wiring problems. Some just will shut off only when a surge occurs the hard wired ones are more intricate and some even show what that tester shows. I have the simple inexpensive plug in surge protector.

The less expensive plug in surge protectors will not shut off when an open ground is at the shore station.

rockhillmanor wrote:

cdevidal wrote:
So the circuit tester is really "convenience insurance" not really to protect the surge suppressor, wouldn't you say?...

Yes. The tester is NOT a replacement for using a surge protector.It does not protect anything just let's you know what is going on with the shore station before you plug in.

Sorry, I had in mind the other way 'round. I understand you two to be saying that the tester is redundant because the surge protector does the same job equally well, but by simply plugging in a little device you can save time not hauling out the cord first. Did I get that right?

cdevidal wrote:

Lantley wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Yes that's true.

I have just gotten to the point though with so many of them being bad I don't even want to waste my time to open the bays and drag out my cord and surge protector out only to find out the outlet is bad.

I full time so I am using CG's every day if I am on the move traveling. So I get to see just how many are bad and all I want to do is just pull in, plug in and rest for the night. And not have to chase down a CG manager after I have started to set up and find out the shore station is bad.

That's why the little tester is on the dog house in the MH. I pull in grab the tester and test. If it's good 'then' I will start to set up.

Rockhill I see your point. I have had to move due to a faulty outlet. Yes it was a pain in the.... If I used your method of testing first I would have saved myself a bit of aggravation.

So the circuit tester is really "convenience insurance" not really to protect the surge suppressor, wouldn't you say?...

Yes. The tester is NOT a replacement for using a surge protector.It does not protect anything just let's you know what is going on with the shore station before you plug in.

AND it works great inside the MH also. Once I set up the tester goes 'inside' the MH plugged in above the sink. It's how I found out that when running on my generator that "I" had a problem 'within' my coach.

One additional point - always make sure the circuit breaker on the pedestal is turned off before you plug in, and before you un-plug.

I've seen a lot of pedestal plugs damaged by people plugging in or unplugging with the breakers on.

YamaDooed wrote:
Most 30 amp are well used and if theres a choice I always select the 50 amp and adapt it down to a 30 amp. Started this practice after smoking the 30 amp plug off just running AC on a triple digit temp weekend...

Count me as one who does this exact same thing.

We have a 30 amp trailer, but if the pedestal has both, I always use the adapter and plug into the 50 amp, as it is normally used less and in better shape than the 30 amp.