Plugged in - help - no shore power

[RickyNelson]

I am at a KOA in Boise. Plugged in to 50 amp, surge protector shows ok, red light on power cord on, but not registering that I have shore power.

I basically rebooted, unplugged and replugged. Anything I can do now?

Thank you!!

[mikeinca]

Have you checked the main circuit breaker on the power panel in the trailer? I know where it is in the 30' Classic but not the 33'. Your owner's manual should point you to it.

Just in case they are the same, in the 30' there's a wooden panel below the wardrobe on the left. Pull off the wooden panel and you'll see another plastic panel underneath. Circuit breakers are behind that panel. You'll want to try resetting the 50amp breaker.

[Tater]

Make certain you have the cable connector turned firmly to the right and the screw ring that holds it un place tight also. Check all inside breakers

[RickyNelson]

I made sure the cables are firm and connected. Where is the main circuit breaker? Would that be by the fuses?

[RickyNelson]

Found it and I had a couple circuit breakers tripped. Not sure why?

Thank you mikeinca and Tater!

[mikeinca]

You're welcome.

Sometimes just the act of hooking up will cause a breaker to trip if the connection to the trailer isn't made cleanly. The best way to do it is to make sure the breaker on the pedestal is off, hook up the trailer, and then throw the pedestal breaker. Anyway, safe travels!

[RickyNelson]

I have to say I had a moment of panic. Everything has been smooth sailing, but this is how you get to learn about your own AS!

Thanks again!

[bweybright]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

You're welcome.

Sometimes just the act of hooking up will cause a breaker to trip if the connection to the trailer isn't made cleanly. The best way to do it is to make sure the breaker on the pedestal is off, hook up the trailer, and then throw the pedestal breaker. Anyway, safe travels!

To again support the above and make sure the message is not lost:
Turn off the breaker at the post. Connect your electrical, then turn on the breaker. Yes this does wear the breaker....etc.....but this is not your house (except that I do this in my house 30 amp trailer connection figuring a new breaker every 3 years or so is cheap maintenance cost) so take care of your equipment and do this at every campsite.
It does require an additional campsite connect step of making sure the breaker is off before you connect, yet gives fewer issues in the end.
Just my approach and opinion.

[RickyNelson]

I really appreciate it bweybright!

[Tater]

Glad you got it fixed. Safe travels.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by bweybright

To again support the above and make sure the message is not lost:
Turn off the breaker at the post. Connect your electrical, then turn on the breaker.

Excellent.
I use a surge protector, so my routine is this. Confirm the breaker in the pedestal is off. Plug in the surge protector. Flip breaker on and read the voltage and E-code. Flip breaker off again. Plug trailer cord into surge protector. Flip breaker back on.

[NoResults]

One more thing. If you do not already have a EMS (electrical management system)/ surge protector I would recommend you get one. Here is what I have and most of the people on this forum recommend. If you don't want the bother of another item they also make a hard wired version.


https://www.google.com/search?source...31.yTpZFeoFYqQ


This is the Progressive Dynamics PTS 50 X


Dave

[Blu_Hwy_Lady]

I had the most embarrassing incident at an RV park where the same thing happened that you described. I contacted the campground manager who sent a maintenance person who verified everything was fine at the pedestal. I was baffled and extremely concerned since it's a vintage trailer. Then I noticed a wet ring where the line from my trailer was plugged into my heavy duty RV extension cord. On closer examination I realized my dog had peed there. I went in and checked the breaker in the closet. Yep. Tripped.

[HubbyBear77]

Also remember to turn off the breaker at the pole before disconnecting, saves the connectors from arcing.

[Dingram/Colo]

These are pricey, but worth it, also tempting to get one free!!
Anyone recommend a lock system that would be useable on various size posts?

[ghaynes755]

Bicycle cable lock for the Progressive EMS 50X. Also to prevent lots of wear and tear on the EMS socket I leave mine connected to the cord at all times. Had a previous model of the 50X and the repeated plugging/unplugging of the cord to the EMS, over a couple of years, caused pitting/arcing of the connector until the unit failed. So I simply keep the cord plugged into the EMS and pick up the whole bundle when hooking up/unhooking. Always with the breaker off.

[Offack]

I use the yeti cable lock. Long enough to go around just about any pedestal, lock and cable are one. Cable fits easy through that little aluminum deal that is on the surge protector, so the yeti lock lives with the protector .

[Fair_Enough]

I would also recommend turning off loads, particularly the ac unit even before flipping the campground breaker off. Never plug or unplug the RV power cable with campground / pedestal turned on.
WW

[SlvrBllt]

Exactly what I do. Thank you for writing this out plainly.