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07-10-2013, 06:40 AM
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#61
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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I had a episode at home that resulted in a brief period of 240 on all of the 120 circuits. The result was that every motor and circuit board that was not on a separate surge suppressor fried. My TV and computers were protected by surge suppressors and UPSes. The refrig compressor(not like our AS ammonia units) had its own thermal protection. Circuit boards in the washer, dryer, garage door opener, fan control units, air conditioning units, etc. all had to be replaced. I also replaced all surge suppressors. Basically lighting circuits were OK, but we do not have any 120 lighting circuits on our trailers.
I do not know the spec on our converter, whether it can handle 240 AC input, but it does isolate the 12v system from any AC faults.
Larry
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07-10-2013, 06:56 AM
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#62
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panheaddale
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Information in this link cannot answer my question. My question is specifically about Airstream system, not RV generality.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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07-10-2013, 06:56 AM
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#63
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Your converters will have a total melt down on 240 VAC input. I had a client recently that had a floating neutral in their 50 amp RV pedestal that sent 240 VAC down one side of their 50 amp service.
The converter burst into flames! They also lost the TV, microwave and computer. The appliances on the other half of the 50 amp breaker box were spared.
It was UGLY !
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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07-10-2013, 07:55 AM
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#64
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
MAN, are we glad you did not plug that in
Actually, out of sheer curiosity...what would happen :O ?
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Melted human and aluminum
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-10-2013, 08:07 AM
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#65
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Rivet Master
1969 29' Ambassador
brooksville
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwf
Melted human and aluminum
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Now that's a smell you will not forget!
__________________
Not all those who wonder are lost.
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07-10-2013, 08:23 AM
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#66
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Rivet Master
1984 34' International
Toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,499
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The only Airstream trailers with a 240V system live in the UK or Australia. Europe is 220V, although appliances tend to be interchangeable.
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07-10-2013, 08:40 AM
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#67
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn
Information in this link cannot answer my question. My question is specifically about Airstream system, not RV generality.
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Found specifically what I was looking for in the 2013 Classic manual
http://www.airstream.com/files/libra...64f21a0d98.pdf see section II-23 (pdf page 71)
As an option on the trailers with two A/C units, Airstream uses a Square D 100 amp distribution panel box with a 50 amp 2 pole main breaker.
Did not realize Airstream offered a factory installed 50 amp service in the newer trailers, in both USA and Canada noted in manual!
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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07-10-2013, 08:56 AM
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#68
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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That was the term from that RV electric link - "floating neutral" - the description of this scared me!!
You could check everything at first at plug in and THEN under more load - it happens :O
I really do not understand it except in the link it made a point to test the outlets under significant load as opposed to not to pick up a "floating neutral"
Lewster - the surge protector will not even prevent the damage in such a scenario??
Should I worry about this "floating neutral" scenario and if so what are reasonable steps for lay folks like us to prevent?
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 09:02 AM
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#69
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
That was the term from that RV electric link - "floating neutral" - the description of this scared me!!
You could check everything at first at plug in and THEN under more load - it happens :O
I really do not understand it except in the link it made a point to test the outlets under significant load as opposed to not to pick up a "floating neutral"
Lewster - the surge protector will not even prevent the damage in such a scenario??
Should I worry about this "floating neutral" scenario and if so what are reasonable steps for lay folks like us to prevent?
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Yes it will prevent it and the surge protector will sacrifice itself and will not allow improper current or voltage to pass thru into your trailer.
These unfortunate folks did not have a surge protector.......they do NOW!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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07-10-2013, 09:03 AM
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#70
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek
That was the term from that RV electric link - "floating neutral" - the description of this scared me!!
You could check everything at first at plug in and THEN under more load - it happens :O
I really do not understand it except in the link it made a point to test the outlets under significant load as opposed to not to pick up a "floating neutral"
Lewster - the surge protector will not even prevent the damage in such a scenario??
Should I worry about this "floating neutral" scenario and if so what are reasonable steps for lay folks like us to prevent?
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Is there a plug-in polarity tester for the 220v rv outlet that would show a floating neutral? I do not remember ever seeing one,
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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07-10-2013, 09:33 AM
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#71
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn
Is there a plug-in polarity tester for the 220v rv outlet that would show a floating neutral? I do not remember ever seeing one,
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That RV electric link describes a way to apply a load and test - but i would need to read through it again
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 09:43 AM
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#72
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Most people use a device similar to this to test 120v.
I Googled but could not find a plug in device to test 240. It would be nice to have something that is plug and play, since many people do not have a multi-meter, nor understand the functions.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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07-10-2013, 09:49 AM
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#73
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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The RV electric link shows how to test both 120 legs on the 50 amp service - both voltage and polarity with the device you show there
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 09:50 AM
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#74
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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It isn't plug n play though - it ha a bit of rigging to make the device - then it was plug n play
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 09:51 AM
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#75
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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But did require a bit of rigging the setup though and then it is plug n play
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 10:26 AM
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#76
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3 Rivet Member
1964 26' Overlander
1968 30' Sovereign
Vintage Kin Owner
somewhere
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn
Information in this link cannot answer my question. My question is specifically about Airstream system, not RV generality.
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The question you asked is the same whether it is an airstream or SOB. Electric basics are electric basics.
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07-10-2013, 03:26 PM
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#77
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn
Most people use a device similar to this to test 120v.
I Googled but could not find a plug in device to test 240. It would be nice to have something that is plug and play, since many people do not have a multi-meter, nor understand the functions.
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I was hoping you could just buy something that does the same thing...but this is I suppose an option...
50-amp Tester
Anyone know of a different product...you have to buy the components for this one and make it - not difficult...and only for testing..so I GUESS it would be hard to screw something up
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 03:47 PM
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#78
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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No, you could connect it wrong and then it would not tell you about a problem or tell you there is a problem when you do not have one. I wouldn't build this if you do not know what you are doing and you do not understand why it is connected the way it is. I honestly do not know whether there is a commercially available simple tester for 50 amp out there, but I do know there are expensive surge suppressors, voltage regulators that check the connections when you plug the device in. If you are worried and if you do not know what you are doing, and if you have a 50 amp trailer, then maybe your best bet is to go the expensive route...if you want the insurance.
Larry
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07-10-2013, 06:39 PM
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#79
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Rivet Master
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
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i will def!! buy the surge protection
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
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07-10-2013, 07:13 PM
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#80
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Learn to use a digital volt meter (DVM) and also learn what each pin does. On the 50A socket there are two hots a neutral and a ground. There should be 0 V between the ground and neutral. There should be 220V between the two hots and there should be 120V between either hot and the ground and neutral. A volt or two is nothing to worry about. If you are running a 50A trailer make sure you know how the power is being distributed. Things like not running the microwave and the AC at the same time. Not running 2 AC units at all.
The DVM is the Swiss army knife of electrical tools. You can also get one that measures current so you can measure how many amps you are using. You can use it for AC or DC and also resistance so you can check for shorts and open circuits etc. A DVM should be a part of your tool kit.
Perry
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