Voltage at campground low ??

[luberhill]

Ok when I’m plugged in at home my volt meter at the door of the MH read a little above 120
Here at the camp ground with my same cord it’s barlet in the green or like 110 volt
It’s a 30amp service in the motorhome and at the campground plug ??

[time2roll]

luberhill wrote:
Ok sorry I misread the meter, and the voltage dropped when I had an electric heater plugged in
So it’s at 118volt but if I turn the microwave on or the small electric heater it drops to 114 volt
I tried the ac, it tics it for a split second to 110 but then holds at 114, goes to 118 when off
How low is too low for the fridge

Most things are fine down to 105 volts.

[wnjj]

aftermath wrote:
I was camping at an older campground and it was hot outside. The campground was full and there were many large trailers and motor homes. As the day heated up I noticed that my AC was less and less efficient to the point that it would hardly cycle on. I learned by talking to my tech guy that when older systems like the one at the campground become overloaded the voltage drop can be alarming. I installed an inexpensive volt meter and now watch it when I am hooked up to a campground electrical system. I have seen that the voltage will drop as usage increases but this doesn't always happen. Yes, a poor connection at the post can cause issues but I believe that the overall capacity of the system is the real culprit. To start with, get a volt meter that you can simply plug into one of the outlets and then watch it when you are out.
The more expensive systems are better but you might want to start simple and see.

If the voltage was normal with his heater off, it is his site only. One space heater likely wouldn’t pull the whole campground system down. Many at once would, but then the voltage would be low no matter what, unless everyone turned theirs off at the same exact time. On page 2 the OP said it was 118V with his heater off and 114V with it on.

[aftermath]

I was camping at an older campground and it was hot outside. The campground was full and there were many large trailers and motor homes. As the day heated up I noticed that my AC was less and less efficient to the point that it would hardly cycle on. I learned by talking to my tech guy that when older systems like the one at the campground become overloaded the voltage drop can be alarming. I installed an inexpensive volt meter and now watch it when I am hooked up to a campground electrical system. I have seen that the voltage will drop as usage increases but this doesn't always happen. Yes, a poor connection at the post can cause issues but I believe that the overall capacity of the system is the real culprit. To start with, get a volt meter that you can simply plug into one of the outlets and then watch it when you are out.
The more expensive systems are better but you might want to start simple and see.

[wnjj]

2oldman wrote:

luberhill wrote:
How low is too low for the fridge

fridges don't care..that's just a heating element.

luberhill wrote:
Mine at home is right at 120
So why would this be different ?

Because CG power is often inadequate for the loads it's supplying.

Or, as others have mentioned, there’s a poor connection at the campground pedestal. If him turning a load on inside his RV made that much of a difference, it’s likely a connection issue at his site.

[2oldman]

luberhill wrote:
How low is too low for the fridge

fridges don't care..that's just a heating element.

luberhill wrote:
Mine at home is right at 120
So why would this be different ?

Because CG power is often inadequate for the loads it's supplying.

[pianotuna]

luberhill,

The PI will disconnect the RV if voltage is low (I think 107 would be a better number for disconnect, for the roof air).

Or acquire an autoformer which will correct the low voltage.

[SoundGuy]

luberhill wrote:
Ok sorry I misread the meter, and the voltage dropped when I had an electric heater plugged in

Of course it did - the greater the load on any circuit the greater the voltage drop. Basic electricity 101. 😉

[SoundGuy]

luberhill wrote:
So it won’t hurt the fridge ??

Inanimate electrical devices in your RV can't be "hurt" but certainly can be damaged by excessively low voltage. TRC has chosen 102 vac as the low voltage threshold at which it will disconnect power to the rig, Progressive Industries EMS units are set for 104 vac. It's your choice as to whether you want to risk plugging in without protection - many do, mostly I suspect because they don't understand the risks, others of us who do understand have invested in an EMS. Others choose a different solution by using a voltage booster that will increase voltage at certain preset thresholds. Your choice - nothing at all, EMS, voltage booster, or both.

[Chris_Bryant]

luberhill wrote:
So it won’t hurt the fridge ??

It wont hurt anything.

[luberhill]

Ok sorry I misread the meter, and the voltage dropped when I had an electric heater plugged in
So it’s at 118volt but if I turn the microwave on or the small electric heater it drops to 114 volt
I tried the ac, it tics it for a split second to 110 but then holds at 114, goes to 118 when off
How low is too low for the fridge

[Lynnmor]

RedRocket204 wrote:
PI-EMS Features:

Will automatically shut off power to the RV when AC power falls below 104 volts, or is higher than 132 volts.

And then you can do without electricity or move to a campground that has adequate power. I chose a different route and use an autoformer to keep the voltage up.

[gbopp]

Get a multimeter and learn how to use it if you don't already know.
It will give you the actual voltage, Don't depend on the gauge in your RV that gives a vague reading.

[luberhill]

So it won’t hurt the fridge ??

[luberhill]

Chris Bryant wrote:
As long as it maintains that voltage, it's fine. If it drops when air conditioner is on, that's not fine.

Ha not using the ac it’s 48 degs out,now the furnace is another story ??
It’s actually in the green but not by much
Mine at home is right at 120
So why would this be different ?
There are TWO breakers in the panel here both are on

[RedRocket204]

PI-EMS Features:

Made in the U.S.A. Lifetime warranty.

Will automatically shut off power to the RV when AC power falls below 104 volts, or is higher than 132 volts.

Will not allow power to the RV when there is reverse polarity, open neutral, open ground, or when 240 volts is detected.

Will shut down power if AC power frequency deviates +/- 9 hertz from 60 cycles per second.

Designed for outdoor use with a security locking bracket to prevent theft.

Time Delay for Reset: 136 seconds

EMS-PT30X is for RVs with 30 amp service. Total Joule rating of 1,790, 44,00A surge current.

EMS-PT50X is for RVs with 50 amp service. Total Joule rating of 3,580, 88,00A surge current.