Constant Power Fluations - Maiden Voyage

DragonflyChick · 10-08-2016, 09:12 PM

My husband got an expensive surge protector and it keeps cycling our power off. The park ranger said that we need to throw it in the lake that he has seen it burn up converters. Should we use it? We had to borrow his 50 to 30 amp converter.

Rustysocket · 10-09-2016, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonflyChick

My husband got an expensive surge protector and it keeps cycling our power off. The park ranger said that we need to throw it in the lake that he has seen it burn up converters. Should we use it? We had to borrow his 50 to 30 amp converter.

Or.... the park has a power issue and the "expensive surge protector" is doing exactly what is is supposed to be doing.

I could see that possibly one could get a defective surge protector but to get advice like that from the "Park Ranger" seems suspect to me.

What does your husband think is happening?

robkelly · 10-09-2016, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustysocket

Or.... the park has a power issue and the "expensive surge protector" is doing exactly what is is supposed to be doing.

I could see that possibly one could get a defective surge protector but to get advice like that from the "Park Ranger" seems suspect to me.

What does your husband think is happening?

X2

Is the surge protector giving any codes that could help you isolate what is causing the issues?

**norty1** · 10-09-2016, 06:40 AM

I would put more weight in the surge protector than the park rangers opinion.

DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 06:50 AM

When we arrived the 30a power source was stopped up with dirt Dabbers so he flagged down the power ranger and asked him if he had something to clean it out. We got most the dirt out. My husband said the codes show the power is constantly fluctuating and thinks it's from the dirt. Thanks for all the replies.

**Mustang65** · 10-09-2016, 08:20 AM

Can you take a Volt meter and check the voltage right at the pedestal? If the meter shows fluctuations you can then call the Forest Cop and have him verify what the meter is showing.

Don

DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 08:50 AM

Ok thanks. We will try that.

Dustdevil · 10-09-2016, 09:52 AM

Dirt could definitely be doing it. But if that's the case, the surge protector sounds like it's doing its job. If you didn't have one, you could be seeing current surges way too high for some of your on-board appliances to handle. Or, the dirt/mud could be affecting your correct connection to ground or neutral. Either way, the surge protector is a good insurance policy. Sounding like they need to get an electrician over there to clean up that receptacle. In the meantime, if you can move to another site and another power pole, you're likely better off.

Marcm157 · 10-09-2016, 10:20 AM

I agree with the others that the surge suppressor is doing what it's supposed to do. Do you have an EMS system that captures error codes? Or just a suppressor?

My progressive Industries unit tells me exactly what the cause of the shutdown is.

jasum · 10-09-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustysocket

Or.... the park has a power issue and the "expensive surge protector" is doing exactly what is is supposed to be doing.

I could see that possibly one could get a defective surge protector but to get advice like that from the "Park Ranger" seems suspect to me.

What does your husband think is happening?

What Rusty socket said.............

Rustysocket · 10-09-2016, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonflyChick

When we arrived the 30a power source was stopped up with dirt Dabbers so he flagged down the power ranger and asked him if he had something to clean it out. We got most the dirt out. My husband said the codes show the power is constantly fluctuating and thinks it's from the dirt. Thanks for all the replies.

You know it would be nice if you included the relevant information such as this in your original post...

It doesn't make my response any different, but the fact that you knowingly plugged into a post in that condition and then question whether or not your surge protecter is doing it's job or not makes me wonder about your thought process...

Go with your gut... that Park Ranger is a fool and is not looking out for you.

Dustdevil · 10-09-2016, 11:54 AM

Some park rangers are very helpful and realistic about the power situation at their parks. And some seem to be in denial about low voltage, chronic outages, grounding problems, overloaded transformers, and electrical system components that have outlived their usefulness.

DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 01:31 PM

Sorry. We are newbies and my husband made that call. I was tired and it was late when I made the first post.

DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 01:33 PM

Thanks. I was very concerned about the constant shut off of power over and over. Thanks

Rustysocket · 10-09-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonflyChick

Sorry. We are newbies and my husband made that call. I was tired and it was late when I made the first post.

Trust yourself and your instinct. Nobody will look out for your things like you will. I didn't mean for my post to sound harsh or be offensive.

The way your original post read was like everything was normal and the park Ranger just doesn't like to deal with people using electrical protection.

There are several plug in testers that will tell you if a wiring condition exists before you hook up. They are inexpensive and can be helpful in addition to your existing protection.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Rustysocket · 10-09-2016, 01:42 PM

Here's an example of one on the left.

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DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 03:56 PM

Thanks. No problem. What device are you talking about that we can get to plug in and test? Thanks. I appreciate all help.

**Mustang65** · 10-09-2016, 04:08 PM

Here are a few products that I would recommend getting.

The 12VDC digital voltage display will give you a close output of your 12Volt battery status, from inside the TT, if you already do not have one. The LED displays that come with the TT's are useless.

The 110VAC digital voltage display can be inside your TT and you can take a quick glance on what the CG voltage is.

And finally the Kill-A-Watt meter is the one I mostly use when hooking up to the pedestal. I have a 30 to 15 amp adapter plug and use that between the pedestal and the Kill-A-Watt it displays the CG voltage.

Don

DragonflyChick · 10-09-2016, 05:23 PM

Ok thanks. My husband and I will be shopping for one of these.

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