30 AMP shore power receptacle(s)

[SilverEagle6]

I have to of these, one front and one back. They are original equipment on my 2013. Appears the front one is no longer functioning.

Looking for recommendations for replacements, will probably do both. Leaning towards towards Marinco.

Thanks.

[Al - K4GLU]

It is extremely unlikely there is anything wrong with the connector. If it isn't working the most likely cause is a bad transfer switch. Much info on here about this already - suggest you do a search.

[SilverEagle6]

already did, transfer switch has been checked for loose wires, etc. Rear receptacle works fine.

[Al - K4GLU]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

already did, transfer switch has been checked for loose wires, etc. Rear receptacle works fine.

Checked for loose wires? How did you check it to see that it actually works?

Another possibility is a recall by Furrion of some receptacles because the wires couldn't be tightened properly. There is info on here about that but I thought I remembered that it only affected some 2014/2015 models and that Airstream had sent letters to those affected by it. You might do a search for that. My bet is still the transfer switch but could be wrong.

[SilverEagle6]

Front receptacle- no power with generator hooked up, or normal shore power hooked up.

Rear receptacle- power with generator and normal shore power.

If one of the two receptacle works and one does not, my guess is that it is the plug.

Furrion recall was 2014 and newer.

[Al - K4GLU]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

Front receptacle- no power with generator hooked up, or normal shore power hooked up.

Rear receptacle- power with generator and normal shore power.

If one of the two receptacle works and one does not, my guess is that it is the plug.

Furrion recall was 2014 and newer.

Well one way to find out for sure would be to move the front receptacle to the back and plug in. That would tell you for sure if the receptacle is bad or not.

My bet is still the transfer switch.

[SilverEagle6]

ok, back to the original question ---Looking for recommendations for replacement plugs.

Thanks

[lewster]

The only way to verify if a transfer switch is working properly is to remove the cover, plug in the trailer and test under load.

THIS IS AN INVASIVE AND DANGEROUS PROCEDURE AND SHOULD NOT BE DONE UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON 120VAC LIVE CIRCUITS.

If you can't tell if power is transferring thru the switch to the main breaker from either exterior plug, then you're not going to accomplish anything by checking for loose wires.

You have a very high probability that the transfer switch is bad, but I wouldn't replace it unless you have it tested by a professional first. You might replace your outside receptacles and still have the original problem!

As for new inlets, look at Marinco stainless.

[SilverEagle6]

there are two receptacles, one works one does not. If the transfer switch is bad, why does it not effect both receptacles?

[Al - K4GLU]

Originally Posted by silvereagle6

there are two receptacles, one works one does not. If the transfer switch is bad, why does it not effect both receptacles?

the transfer switch switches between the two receptacles. Its purpose is to prevent some idiot from hooking up power to both inlets at the same time. You argue with people and you don't even have the slightest clue what a transfer switch does?

[SilverEagle6]

I know what a transfer switch does, just do not know why one receptacle works and one does not. I also know when I'm dealing with an ass.

I'll seek help elsewhere.

[Al and Missy]

Pretty obvious how it could happen. Logic circuits control which receptacle is selected. Transfer switch is stuck on rear receptacle and won't switch to front. As Lewster said, high probability switch is bad.

Al

[J. Morgan]

In this instance the transfer switch is utilized mainly to isolate one plug in from the other so that the male prongs on the unused input are not live and a shock hazard when the other one is plugged in. (I.e. Back feed).

Frankly, it would be interesting to know how the transfer switch would react if receiving an input from both plugs.... Especially from different legs.... (I AM NOT SAYING ANYONE SHOULD TRY THIS.... it could only be bad.... )

(I assume the switch would default to one or the other?)

If the transfer switch is not working right, the front circuit can remain open rendering it inoperative.


Brevi tempore!

[lewster]

Most automatic transfer switches (ATS) operate on a priority basis. Larger units found in motorhomes with generators are usually set for 'generator priority'.

This means that if you are plugged in to shore power and start the generator, the ATS will automatically switch to the generator input, effectively shutting off the shore power even though it is still live.

Given that the ATS that Airstream uses is made by Parallax ( the good folks that bring you your single stage battery burner) I have no idea what the electrical priority arrangement is inside the ATS.

I have removed a number of them as a preventive measure and returned the trailers to a single 30 amp input receptacle. I have never seen any description of the priority arrangement within the switch.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[sunseeker]

I always understood that the front receptacle is for a generator and the side one is for shore power. Am I wrong? Are they interchangeable? I will admit up front I am pretty ignorant about the electrical system on the AS and I don't recall seeing any instruction when I bought the unit new.

[tjdonahoe]

They are interchangeable, if the transfer switch is working properly

[shineybullet]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

I know what a transfer switch does, just do not know why one receptacle works and one does not. I also know when I'm dealing with an ass.

I'll seek help elsewhere.

I don't think this guy liked your information much

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

They are interchangeable, if the transfer switch is working properly

I don't understand the above. Since the transfer switch doesn't have a way to identify what is hooked up to which receptacle, priority must be established by the receptacle, i.e. either the front or the rear must have priority. So if the front has priority, whatever you hook up to it will be the power source if both are connected and active.

The only way they could be considered interchangeable is if both generator and shore power are not active at the same time.

Am I missing something?

Al

[J. Morgan]

Fwiw, these are my transfer switches... (to the left of the photo)




Brevi tempore!

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

I don't understand the above. Since the transfer switch doesn't have a way to identify what is hooked up to which receptacle, priority must be established by the receptacle, i.e. either the front or the rear must have priority. So if the front has priority, whatever you hook up to it will be the power source if both are connected and active.

The only way they could be considered interchangeable is if both generator and shore power are not active at the same time.

Am I missing something?

Al

It's basically a toggle SPDT arrangement. It's either on the front outlet or the side outlet. I have no idea what would take precedence if both outlets were energized simultaneously.

It would be one or the other, but not both.

Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357