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03-26-2016, 10:12 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hollister
Posts: 16
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Electrical safety at campsite
Have a question you kind folks might help us with. We purchase a new Jayco Whitehawk 27dsrl that we take delivery of end of April. We are newbies but have wanted to do this for over a year and we are trying to get the important supplies together to make our experience a good one. I am hearing about making sure to test the electrical pole at campsites for proper voltage and reverse polarity and such to ensure a safe electrical connection. What should we buy to keep in the trailer to test campsite outlet for safe electrical connection before hooking up? Thanks for all your help!
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03-26-2016, 10:18 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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Energy management system.
A device that is in line between the campsite power pedestal and the RV.
The device acts like a surge suppressor but also evaluates the condition of the power ( voltage, cycles, open ground, etc.. ) and will prevent poor or bad voltage from damaging all the electronics in the RV.
Lots of different makes models
The easiest of which plugs into the camp pedestal and the rv plugs into it.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/c...Ez0aAuZU8P8HAQ
The high end units are permanently installed inside the RV. As a bonus, they are protected from theft, although the simple ones do have aftermarket locks that you can purchase
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Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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03-26-2016, 10:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 781
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Progress Industries seems to be the "go to" supplier. Lifetime warranty, replacement modules so you do not have to ship it back for service, and made in the USA.
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03-26-2016, 01:15 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,680
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This is what many of us have and it's hard wired in and it's real easy to do.
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2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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03-26-2016, 01:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Exeter
Posts: 151
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I never thought of that, is this a real concern? Please chime in if you have had issues/problems. I just got a Jayco sport 8 pup, and have already added a media player/Bluetooth radio (and need speakers) I got a good deal and don't mind adding necessary items... I didn't think that was going to happen with the camper, wanting to add things to it. It is a basic unit, but won't be.
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03-26-2016, 02:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Levinehikeski
I never thought of that, is this a real concern? Please chime in if you have had issues/problems. I just got a Jayco sport 8 pup, and have already added a media player/Bluetooth radio (and need speakers) I got a good deal and don't mind adding necessary items... I didn't think that was going to happen with the camper, wanting to add things to it. It is a basic unit, but won't be.
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If you are referring too bad power at a camp site... You betcha......
Varying voltage levels .... No ground..... Open legs on the 50 amp service.....
JOF is full of some pretty crazy stories and questions that traced back to camp ground power issues.
I recall reading a post here on JOF where the road side camp ground had a CATV connection that was shorted to the electrical system and shocked the owner when he was hooking up to CATV.....
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Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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03-26-2016, 05:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,680
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You could burn up a microwave real quick not to mention the frig. Remember to shut down the power box before you plug in and after you plug in you can turn it on.
__________________
2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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03-26-2016, 06:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: columbus
Posts: 166
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on the other hand, I have camped over 30 years, never had a problem other than the whole park lost power, I do on occasion use a multimeter to check. but again never had a problem. I guess it all depends where you camp.
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03-26-2016, 06:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,880
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We have been using the Surge Guard Portable 30 Amp protector for several years (model:18277). Last summer we were camping in the Poconos and my power shut off. I looked at my Surge Guard and it showed 134 volts trying to pass thru the system. The Surge Guard will automatically disconnect your trailer system from the pedestal on either a high voltage or low voltage problem at the pedestal. As I watched it for several minutes, as the voltage went down to 124 volts, my trailer power came back on. Later, as I was doing some stuff outside the trailer, my kids came up saying there was no power in the trailer again. I looked at the Surge Guard and saw 97 volts. When it came up to 108 volts, the power came back on in the trailer. We notified the camp ground manager that there were issues. He didn't know anything about it. Maintenance came and looked at it and claimed they couldn't find any issues. Later that day, power went out to the trailer again and I saw 139 volts on the display.
5 trailers around me that had no protection had melted power prongs. The cost of the Surge Guard more than paid for itself that day.
HERE IS THE LINK:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...y-30-amp/81277
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2012 Ford Expedition EL
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Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control, Southwire 34930 Surge Guard 30A, Tire Minder TPMS A1A
(2) Yamaha EF2000iS Generators, Micro-Air EasyStart™ 364 (3-ton) Soft Start, Garmin RV 890, GoodYear Endurance ST225/75-15 Load Range E
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03-26-2016, 06:48 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
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I look at the Surge protector as insurance. The majority of the time you won't need it. It's there for when you do need it.
I used to use a VOM and some indicator lights in my rig but after I got the EMS PTC-50C, I plug the rig in, turn on the breaker and let it tell me.
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Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
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Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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03-26-2016, 07:08 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hollister
Posts: 16
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Does it matter if your TT is 30 AMP or 50 AMP in regards to which one you buy?
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03-26-2016, 07:17 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: smithville, ont.
Posts: 2,684
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mmitch
Does it matter if your TT is 30 AMP or 50 AMP in regards to which one you buy?
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Yes get a 30 for a 30 and a 50 for a 50.
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2016 North Point 341RLTS
520watts of solar. Morningstar MPPT
4 6volt 235ah Surrette batteries
2017 F-350 Platinum CC SRW
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03-26-2016, 07:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lower Alabama (LA)
Posts: 2,010
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and after you get the power management system (from Progressive Industries) get yourself a tire pressure monitor system for the new camper.
I plugged my 5th up yesterday for a trip - after 4 months idle. Today my bride announced (assumed) that while she was inside the camper the feeding house breaker tripped. What I found was this box had shut down - due to an under-voltage condition. A few min later it reset and all was well.
Later today I moved the tow vehicle near the hook up point and plugged in my TPMS system. Within a few min. it alerted me to two low pressured tires.
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former 2008 Jayco Eagle 29.5 RLS
former 2014 F250 6.7 4X4, CC LB
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03-26-2016, 07:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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In my two, going on three years of camping our Progressive Industries EMS (portable pedestal plugin) has helped twice. One with a bad pedestal and at another campground when voltage dropped and it killed power keeping the A/C safe as it was on...
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2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
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03-26-2016, 08:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lower Alabama (LA)
Posts: 2,010
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In fairness I should mention my negatives with the Progressive Industries (PI) unit. Within the first several months of ownership I destroyed it TWICE.
The first time torrential rainwater somehow penetrated the unit and fried the innards. PI repaired it, free, and had it back to me in about a week after receipt. I'm convinced this was their fault.
Shortly after that the male hot spade melted right out of the campground side plug. PI again repaired it, FREE. This time I fault the camp ground for having a bad plug receptacle - and was very pleased that PI still repaired it FREE.
Some other brands would have said too bad, purchase a new one.
__________________
former 2008 Jayco Eagle 29.5 RLS
former 2014 F250 6.7 4X4, CC LB
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03-26-2016, 08:23 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
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My unit is the portable one. I always cover it with a bucket or a plastic bag when we set it up and rain is expected.
Sometimes I use my 50a unit at a cg with only 30a service with the proper adapter. I am aware that they recommend it always be mounted vertically so I protect it from the weather if I can't hang it straight down.
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Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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03-26-2016, 10:50 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: memphis
Posts: 290
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I'm always suspect of the power pedestals in any campground. They're abused, they really aren't given too much attention until something goes wrong with them. I've seen campers who have yanked their power lines out of the receptacle, I've seen weather protective covers left open....and I've seen Park Rangers trying to make quick fixes and it's quite obvious they aren't electricians. I watched a "ranger maintenance" man changing out a burnt out 50A plug....he attached one hot lead to the proper lug, the other one he tried connecting to the ground lug. I had asked him if the circuit was dead, as my unit was powered right next to this site....he assured me it was. As I started to tell him my power was on, he touched that hot lead to the ground lug.......now, I'm no electrician, I did rewire my house during the renovation, but I had a licensed electrical contractor watching me and inspecting my work.......even I know what happens when you touch a live wire to the a ground lug. Thankfully the maintenance man wasn't hurt....the spark knocked the receptacle out of his hand and him flat on his back about 6 feet away. The cost of any of these inline protection devices will pay for themselves many times over.......it kind of falls into the category of pay me now or pay me later and we all know that later usually is a whole lot more.....
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Steve and Lisa
Un-tethered buoys in the shipping lanes of life.
Jayco Jay Series 1206
Dodge Ram 1500, Hemi
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03-27-2016, 05:45 AM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjackson
on the other hand, I have camped over 30 years, never had a problem other than the whole park lost power, I do on occasion use a multimeter to check. but again never had a problem. I guess it all depends where you camp.
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X2
__________________
2012 F250 Super Duty
2014 Jayco Premier 361REQS
Super Springs
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03-27-2016, 08:02 AM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
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If you do a fair amount of camping you will see every thing from real bad to excellent.
I have been in cg's where the staff did pm's on the electrical system and others where it had not been looked at in years.
I make it a point to close the electrical box when walking around a campground if someone has checked out and left it open. Just keeping them protected from the weather will prolong the life of the insides. Also report dripping faucets Drives me nuts to have a faucet dripping all the time.
__________________
Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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