We have a 50A class A, we were going camping at a state park in Kentucky. It was hot so we were running the generator w AC on. We backed into our site, turned off generator, plugged in to 30A post using 30-50A adapter. Everything was fine but the AC would not work. I unplugged, started generator again, AC worked fine. I turned off generator and plugged into 30A post again. AC still would not work. I suspected the 30-50A adapter. I used volt meter and confirmed there was 120V on both hot legs of the 50A adapter outlet. I checked my disconnect switch with volt meter, showed 120V. After further trouble shooting I finally determined that the post 30A was wired wrong. The hot and neutral leads were reversed. Looking at the outlet with the round ground lug at top the hot leg is supposed to be at 7 o'clock, neutral at 5 o'clock. They were reversed. So the 30-50A adapter was splitting neutral instead of hot. I checked the site next door, it was good. So not only were they reversed, but also inconsistent. Ranger let me move. I am stunned to think how many years it has been wrong like this. Folks with 30A rig probably would't notice. Perhaps some with 50A rig were okay too, but not me. I now have a dedicated outlet checker in the cord compartment to easily check the post wiring before I set up and plug in. Another lesson learned the hard way...

Excellent. I would have suggested that you needed to wait about 5 minutes between switching power for the air to come back on, but it looks like that's not it. I didn't think polarity mattered, but in your case I guess it does.Good job.

This is a prime example why you should always check the voltage before plugging in. Good reason to use and EMS. At the very least a simple surge protector. Or a volt meter if you know how to use one. Apparently you know how to use one. Just do it before you plug in.

In the many years we've been RV'ing we've seen this at least three times.

We always check our connection before plugging in and have a progressive industries surge protector that will cut power to the rig for both low and high voltage issues. It has saved us a couple of times.

I’m unaware of any experienced RVer that doesn’t check the power prior to plugging in.

Trouble at State Park | Good Sam Community

2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2019
steved28 wrote:
Most "average" RV'ers I know, meet, or encounter don't know very much about how anything in their RV works,
x2. Especially solar, and especially if someone else installed it.

I will check the voltage IF my air is struggling or my 30a plugs are getting warm. Other than that, it's plug in Surge, wait 1.5 minutes, go.
beachcomber_1
Explorer
Aug 27, 2019
I have a meter inline that checks for faults, voltage and cycles. also works when on shore power. I believe everyone should have. Have found numerous improperly wired post.
pnichols
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2019
Lwiddis wrote:
I’m unaware of any experienced RVer that doesn’t check the power prior to plugging in.

I don't ... and we've been RV'ing for at least 45 years and I'm a retired EE who wired our own home, including the 200 amp service coming into it.

However our RVs have been 30 amp ones, so our electrical life has been simple. :)
steved28
Explorer
Aug 27, 2019
ependydad wrote:
Lwiddis wrote:
I’m unaware of any experienced RVer that doesn’t check the power prior to plugging in.

Other than 1 electrician friend of mine and those who have EMSs, I've never seen nor known of an RVer to check power before plugging in. It's talked about online like it's common place, but in practice, I really don't see it happen.

I thought the same thing. Most "average" RV'ers I know, meet, or encounter don't know very much about how anything in their RV works, let alone checking line voltages and polarities. I am considered the exception, and get called on alot to check this or that. And I don't contend to be an expert by any means.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2019
wa8yxm wrote:
JRscooby wrote:

But a GFI will not always work with right with reversed polarity...

True but the A/C was the device not working.

But the fact the GFI will not work right is a reason to make sure the polarity is right.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 27, 2019
JRscooby wrote:

But a GFI will not always work with right with reversed polarity...

True but the A/C was the device not working.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Aug 27, 2019
ependydad wrote:
Other than 1 electrician friend of mine and those who have EMSs, I've never seen nor known of an RVer to check power before plugging in. It's talked about online like it's common place, but in practice, I really don't see it happen.

I do it every time but you wouldn't notice, I don't make a show out of it. The process only takes a few second.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2019
ependydad wrote:
Lwiddis wrote:
I’m unaware of any experienced RVer that doesn’t check the power prior to plugging in.

Other than 1 electrician friend of mine and those who have EMSs, I've never seen nor known of an RVer to check power before plugging in. It's talked about online like it's common place, but in practice, I really don't see it happen.

I have a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C hardwired right before my main breaker to protect my electrical system, and still I use this before plugging in. I guess I am a belt and suspenders kind.
ependydad
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
Lwiddis wrote:
I’m unaware of any experienced RVer that doesn’t check the power prior to plugging in.

Other than 1 electrician friend of mine and those who have EMSs, I've never seen nor known of an RVer to check power before plugging in. It's talked about online like it's common place, but in practice, I really don't see it happen.
TC_Z
Explorer
Aug 26, 2019
ItsyRV wrote:
It seems to be a common mistake especially when a person or electrician isn't familiar with the 30 amp RV plug. They see the schematic and know which side each wire goes until they turn it around to connect the wires and forget that left is now right and right is now left. At least you weren't the first user who discovered the dreaded 30 amp 220 volt mistake.

Black always goes to the brass screw, white always goes to the silver screw, green to the green screw. That way you don't have to worry about sides, and position, left, right, front, back, etc.

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