replacing 30a plug

[funkill]

Whoops --- almost forgot about this. During my last trip, my 30amp connector became partially dislodged from the park proivded extension cord. (Darn kids - playing in the dark around my trailer!) This caused some damage to my plug and I need to replace it before my trip next week!!! Is there anything special about removing the damaged plug and wiring in a new one? Hopefully it is rather straightforward - like replacing a lamp plug. Right?



Laura

[Melody Ranch]

It is very straight forward. When you buy the new plug it has very simple instructions. I like the newer plug ends that have a handle grip on them. Take a look.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

It is very straight forward. When you buy the new plug it has very simple instructions. I like the newer plug ends that have a handle grip on them. Take a look.

Cool - thanks! I did see one with a handle and thought it was unique

Laura

[Greg N]

Laura

Looking at your plug I'm not sure I would replace it...Let me share an old trick I learned long ago about plugs...If you look at the two bladed prongs you will see they are split. another words the look like a piece of metal folded over against itself...Now heres the trick stick something in the split like a knife to open the split jus enuff to get the blade of a screw driver in to the split,then turn the screw driver to spread the split which inturn makes the prong wider to provide a tighter fit in the receptical...Be carefull not to be too agressive as you will break it apart where it folds over... This can be done to any male plug that has split prongs...Now jus take fine sand paper and clean all the prongs and you have a tight cool running connection...If you need any further info jus let me know...

Greg

[wmarsha]

the grounding spade is round; the neutral spade should on the right facing the ends of the spades (like your photo). green=ground; white=neutral; black=hot. sometimes the hot will be red; sometimes the neutral will be gray or grey. these last two color codes are not seen very often today.
ol' bill

[TinLoaf]

I just replaced then end of my power cord with one of the yellow plugs with the handle. It was pretty easy but the wires are thick in a 30 amp cord and it took some work to get the wires under the screws.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by Greg N Cindy

Laura

Looking at your plug I'm not sure I would replace it...Let me share an old trick I learned long ago about plugs...If you look at the two bladed prongs you will see they are split. another words the look like a piece of metal folded over against itself...Now heres the trick stick something in the split like a knife to open the split jus enuff to get the blade of a screw driver in to the split,then turn the screw driver to spread the split which inturn makes the prong wider to provide a tighter fit in the receptical...Be carefull not to be too agressive as you will break it apart where it folds over... This can be done to any male plug that has split prongs...Now jus take fine sand paper and clean all the prongs and you have a tight cool running connection...If you need any further info jus let me know...

Greg

Whoops again -- that's not my plug - but a pic I got of the web. My plug is in bad shape: melted in a place and blade pulling out from where I wrestled it off the extension (which didn't show any damage).



Thanks for the tips - I'll start with fixing this plug and then move on to replacing my backing plate (previously found that I put the LH/RH ones on my axle in reverse... DOH). Dang - why did I wait until the last minute to do this stuff?

Laura

[funkill]

Couldn't locate one of those nice yellow handled plugs locally so I used one that I found at Lowes. It is (I mean was) hard black plastic. Went together fine until I tightened the final screw - which promptly broke the plastic and the thing was a gone-er. Finally made it to the RV store tonight ... 16 hrs and counting before departure on my trip.

Got home and really looked at the size of this new yellow-handled plug and thought "geeze, it looks kinda big". Sure nuf, it won't fit thought the cutout hole in the bottom of my bumper box. Doh. So, since the other RV parts stores are now closed I went ahead and pulled my power cord out the bottom of the box and secured the new plug. It won't pull completely back through to stow inside but, it's better than not being able to get it out the bottom! Crap. But it sure is easier to plug in with that handle!

This little hiccup will soon be forgotten as I continue throwing things inside ... grill - check, fan - check, dog crates - check, and on, and on...

Laura

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by funkill

C
Got home and really looked at the size of this new yellow-handled plug and thought "geeze, it looks kinda big". Sure nuf, it won't fit thought the cutout hole in the bottom of my bumper box. Doh. So, since the other RV parts stores are now closed I went ahead and pulled my power cord out the bottom of the box and secured the new plug. It won't pull completely back through to stow inside but, it's better than not being able to get it out the bottom! Crap. But it sure is easier to plug in with that handle!


Laura

Laura, just take a pair of tin snips and cut a slightly bigger hole for the plug. You may even get away with just cutting out a small notch for the handle of the plug, and just making sure the handle aligns with the notch when you put it through the hole.