electrical problems

[scout3351]

Having electrical issues after loaning out trailer for a week. AC doesn't work, refridgerater works only on gas, sparks blowing out of converter. Opened converter because I could see debris behind the fan. Both capaciters were split open with the contents laying all over. While checking things out I got a scare when I was checking the neutral bar. I'm no electrician but I don't believe the white wire going to the neutral bar should read 120v. Red wire going to breaker is 120v. Black wire going to next breaker is 120v. Ground wire to grounding bar is fine. If I just plug in with 120v cable its fine. It's when I plug in with the 220v 30 amp cable that things get ugly. How can the neutral wire get hot when plugged in with 220v?

[scout3351]

I put the 2 new capacitors in the converter and it is working again. Put a new AC unit on the roof and that is working again. I replaced a 5 amp fuse on the circuit board on the fridge and replaced the heat tube and that is working again. Got out of this mess for less than $800. Thanks You Tube videos and thanks to you guys. No one but me will ever pull this trailer out of the yard again.

[scout3351]

I always keep the trailer plugged in to 110v when its at home to keep the batteries up. Thats how I found the converter was blown up. Had him bring the adapter he used. That's when I found out about the hot neutral wire. I visualize giving him 20 lashes with the his adapter. Still waiting on the new converter and ordered 2 new capaciters to see if I can bring the old one back to life.

[bob213]

I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.

The way I read the OP is was not the person he lent it to that plugged in to 220V it was the OP himself. Either way I'm sure he has an expensive mess to clean up. 😞

[pianotuna]

bikerdan,

Make that ESPECIALLY family.

[bikendan]

2oldman wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like a joke.

My opinion exactly, he must be bored.

I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.

This is an example why the vast majority of us would NEVER lend our RV to anyone, not even family.

[pianotuna]

scout3351,


120 volt AC
Any device that was on, or in standby (microwave) is at risk of being damaged. The best thing to do is to test them one by one.

Test the 120 volt element in the Fridge.

12 volt DC

Any device with computer boards that was being "fed" by the now blown up converter may have failed. You can test those more or less immediately if the 12 volt battery still works.

[scout3351]

oh, we've had conversations. Believe me. And we're not done yet. What else may have been fried? Fridge now only works on gas. Are there any fuses in the circuit boards? Anything else? I will definitely "test" the electrician when he comes Friday.
I am amazed at the amount of knowledge that is here and the willingness to share it. Thank you.

[RJsfishin]

Huh ? He did it himself, not right to blame it on the lentee !!

[2oldman]

Lynnmor wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like a joke.

My opinion exactly, he must be bored.

I think I'd be having a conversation with whomever he lent this thing to.

[Alan_Hepburn]

cavie wrote:

time2roll wrote:
So you have a 50 amp RV and you are using a 50/30 RV adapter and plugging into a NEMA 10-30 outlet? Yea.... DON'T DO THAT.

Many things have now been burned up starting with the converter. The supply is 240v and the adapter is 120v.

Using a dog bone to plug 50 into 30 is done all the time.No problem.

Nope - plugging an RV into a NEMA 10-30 outlet causes problems; plugging an RV into a NEMA TT30 outlet is what is done all the time...

[BB_TX]

dougrainer wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:

cavie wrote:

time2roll wrote:
So you have a 50 amp RV and you are using a 50/30 RV adapter and plugging into a NEMA 10-30 outlet? Yea.... DON'T DO THAT.

Many things have now been burned up starting with the converter. The supply is 240v and the adapter is 120v.

Using a dog bone to plug 50 into 30 is done all the time.No problem.

A NEMA 10-30 outlet is NOT the same as an RV 30A outlet....they just look the same.

Very dangerous for an RV !

One other thing. A 30 amp 120 RV outlet has 2 spades and the Ground is round. The Home/industrial type has 3 Spades. I have yet to see a 220 dryer or welder have that round spade for ground. HENCE, I am always amazed how some then MAKE that 220 plug fit their 30 amp RV Male plug:h Doug

Even though a 10-30R receptacle doesn’t have a round hole (L shaped slot instead), it is otherwise configured the very similar. A little pressure would probably push the round pin on the plug into the L on the outlet.

[time2roll]

TT-30 120 volts



NEMA 10-30 240 volts

[dougrainer]

Ed_Gee wrote:

cavie wrote:

time2roll wrote:
So you have a 50 amp RV and you are using a 50/30 RV adapter and plugging into a NEMA 10-30 outlet? Yea.... DON'T DO THAT.

Many things have now been burned up starting with the converter. The supply is 240v and the adapter is 120v.

Using a dog bone to plug 50 into 30 is done all the time.No problem.

A NEMA 10-30 outlet is NOT the same as an RV 30A outlet....they just look the same.

Very dangerous for an RV !

One other thing. A 30 amp 120 RV outlet has 2 spades and the Ground is round. The Home/industrial type has 3 Spades. I have yet to see a 220 dryer or welder have that round spade for ground. HENCE, I am always amazed how some then MAKE that 220 plug fit their 30 amp RV Male plug:h Doug

[Ed_Gee]

cavie wrote:

time2roll wrote:
So you have a 50 amp RV and you are using a 50/30 RV adapter and plugging into a NEMA 10-30 outlet? Yea.... DON'T DO THAT.

Many things have now been burned up starting with the converter. The supply is 240v and the adapter is 120v.

Using a dog bone to plug 50 into 30 is done all the time.No problem.

A NEMA 10-30 outlet is NOT the same as an RV 30A outlet....they just look the same.

Very dangerous for an RV !