DC power but no AC power

[r81vs]

I have lights in my 5th wheel but no a/c, fan, etc with 120v. Breakers are not tripped in the rv, fuses are okay visually...This all start with a tripped breaker in the house...I have since went to 2 other rv hook ups and still no power other than lights. Should I go ahead and purchase a new converter? Thanks in advance for any help.

[SDcampowneroper]

OP, I am happy for you that you found the problem. Kudos to you that you did not blame the camp. You should not have had to try 2 other sites for power.
A multimeter is an inexpensive and valuable tool. So is a toaster or hair dryer to check voltage ( v/a) load (volt/ amperage) at the pedestal. Use a 30/20 adaptor, or even a 50/30/20 drop adaptor to plug in your hair dryer.
Did you ask camp maintenence to help? Check voltage, load test for amperage at the site? That could have saved you a lot of guesswork, and discovered your trouble easily.
Power faults do happen at the pedestal. Connections there get corroded, breakers get weak, buss bars overheat, may show voltage with a meter, yet not carry amperage.
Consider that rv pedestals are out in the weather. Just like your power cord. Moisture is an electrical connections worst enemy.
About equal times every year in my camp the issue has been ours, or the guests cable or connections like you found. Thats why in my previous response I suggested checking power at your first junction in the rv after you had tried several other sites.

[beemerphile1]

r81vs wrote:
I have power at the pedestal and power cord is good. Something inside the rv is the issue.

r81vs wrote:
...I went and bought a meter. I have 123.4v at the pedestal, I plug the cord into the pedestal and I cannot get any reading from the end of the cord that attaches to the rv....

See what happens when you ass-u-me something without testing? :B

[RJsfishin]

You are going to borrow a cord that is hard wired into someones RV, and is also hardwired into your own RV. Isn't there an easier way ?

Make sure you are checking for voltage correctly. Then like was said, if there is water coming into the cord, but not coming out, you need a new cord. The only problem is,.....it is highly unlikely that a visably good cord, is completely disconnected inside some where. If it is the cord, it is likely in the plug. And replaceing the plug would be a "hole" lot cheaper than the "hole" cord.:)

[r81vs]

Thank you all...I went and bought a meter. I have 123.4v at the pedestal, I plug the cord into the pedestal and I cannot get any reading from the end of the cord that attaches to the rv..it looks like it may actually be the cord. I am going to borrow a cord tomorrow to make sure before I purchase one. I am very dumb when it comes to electrical so thank you all for your help and patience. The forum is a huge help and educator.

[D_E_Bishop]

r81vs,

As suggested, get the meter or a 120/240VAC test light and open the enclosure for the converter/charger. Check the terminals where the cord is attached.

If no voltage you found the problem.


If 120VAC, go to the output of the main circuit breaker and check voltage.

If no voltage that's your problem.

If there is voltage on the main, but no other CB, remove one of the other breakers and check the buss. If the buss is dead it's either the main CB or the buss. Many main CB's don't have a wire connector they have two poles on the back, one goes to the line the other goes to the buss.

The main can have voltage at the screw holding the load wire(in this case buss and the connection from the screw to the buss can be bad. It can be a loose screw, bad buss connector or a couple of other things but, if the cord is good and the CB is good, it's between the CB and the buss. Sometimes there is proper voltage at the set screw but when a load is applied it opens and no output. So you may have to do this twice. Once with nothing turned on and once with AC or MW turned on.

While it can be dangerous and kill you an electrical system is just like a water system. Water comes in via a pipe and if you have a blockage, no water. In an electrical system, if you have and open wire, no electricity.

If you want more detail PM me and tell me what you want to know.

[r81vs]

I have power at the pedestal and power cord is good. Something inside the rv is the issue.

[harold1946]

hmknightnc wrote:

r81vs wrote:
What and where is the transfer switch normally...

Unless you FW has a manufactures installed generator or you installed one then your FW doesn't have a transfer switch.

From your 2nd post it sounds like shorted out on your main power line. Visually inspect your power cord all the way to the RV breaker box looking for any overheated/melted/disconnected indications.

Thanks: I keep forgeting many of the FWs dont have onboard gennys.
No I am not supercharged. I am retired and half-fast.

[SDcampowneroper]

look at your in house box conection. Follow your shore power cable into your rig. See that junction box it goes into? Check connections there.

[Beverley_Ken]

Check your main breaker, turn off and back on. Sometimes when they are tripped it is not obvious, visually.

Beverley and Ken

[hmknightnc]

r81vs wrote:
What and where is the transfer switch normally...

Unless you FW has a manufactures installed generator or you installed one then your FW doesn't have a transfer switch.

From your 2nd post it sounds like shorted out on your main power line. Visually inspect your power cord all the way to the RV breaker box looking for any overheated/melted/disconnected indications.

[hmknightnc]

harold1946 wrote:
I would suspect the transfer switch.

Supercharged is that you?

[r81vs]

What and where is the transfer switch normally...

[harold1946]

I would suspect the transfer switch.

[r81vs]

The breakers are on at the 3 pedestals I tried. It was working fine for a day, in fact, the breaker to the first pedestal tripped and the rv hasn't worked since. I will get a meter from work and check it, thanks.