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Topic: Another apparent 120VAC power problem (Read 1173 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from This time my question...

Another apparent 120VAC power problem

I also appear to lack one leg of my 120 VAC power.
 
The reason I think that is the Powerline Monitor display (see photo). The display for Voltage Check for line 2 shows 125, but the display for line 1 shows 1. The two lights on the right of the Polarity Check box show green, but I see they photographed as white; they look green in person. The two lights in the middle, show flickering green, but photographed as green. (The photo seems to show a dim light in the first column of line 2, but it does not look lit in person.) I checked the panel this afternoon, and the middle column no longer appears to be flickering; the right column is the only one lit.
 
Another reason that I want to think that, is my rear A/C and front furnaces do not work. It would be nice if I could find a loose wire somewhere and fix my A/C and furnace by attaching the loose wire.  ^.^d  the problem with that rosy scenario is that the wiring diagram does not show the legs wired like that. IIRC Leg 1 does not have very much on it. Aside from the A/C and furnace not working, the other electrical loads seem to be working properly.  Not everything is on Leg 2, so some of the things on Leg 1 must be working, too.
 
I verified that all of the circuit breakers in the bedroom were on and all of them have 123 VAC at the attached wire. An obvious next step is to open the Powerline Monitor and verify the plugs are seated properly. The fact that I consistently get a reading of "1" on Leg 1 doesn't make any sense to me either.
 
I am open to hints or observations that anyone can provide.
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #1 –
Trent,

As far as diagnostics, the first thing I would do is disconnect from shore power and start the generator.  That will tell you (if everything now works) that from the ATS onward, all is OK.  If all doesn't work, your issue is from the ATS  to main breaker box.

Then, if you are safe working around 240 VAC, pull out your voltmeter. 

Check CG outlet first:
Outer straights are hots
Center straight is neutral
Center round is ground.

So from either outer to either center should show 120 VAC
From outer to outer should show 240 VAC.  If it shows 0, the outlet/CG is mis-wired.

If all OK there, with all power off, remove the lid to the ATS.  Plug back in.  Check here for power IN and power OUT.

Black and red are the hots.  White is neutral. Green is ground.

If all OK, check at the main 120 VAC breaker box.  Remove the 2 screws holding the cover.  Check here for L1 and L2 (same colors as at ATS.

And, will need more detail on what "front furnace" you have.  If a propane furnace, they are 12 VDC, not 120 VAC. So, if this is what you have, likely an unrelated issue.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #2 –
Brett,
 
Thanks for the detailed trouble shooting steps. Will check them out this weekend.
 
BTW, is turning the breaker off (in the house) sufficient for disconnecting from shore power, or do I need to physically remove the plug (not a user-friendly step)?
 
The furnaces are Atwoods running on LP.
 
Hope to see you in Madison!
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #3 –
You can turn off at breaker to do the first part of wolfe10 post when testing to see if generator solves the problem but you will need to disconnect the power cord to make sure you have the correct power coming to the outlet.

If you are not sure what you are doing when you open up the ATS better let someone that knows what they are doing do it. If you touch the wrong spots you might, if your lucky just get a shock.  If you happen to touch a hot and are grounded it can kill you.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #4 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –

The reason I think that is the Powerline Monitor display (see photo). The display for Voltage Check for line 2 shows 125, but the display for line 1 shows 1.

I am re initiating this thread because I am experiencing the same display problem that Trent wrote about. 

My monitor shows normal voltage on one line but displays only the numeral 1 on the other leg.  After assuring myself that the electrical system was working properly, I removed the monitor from the coach to bench test it.  I wired a 115 volt cord to one set of connections  and the corresponding readout indicated the voltage.  Then I wired the cord to the other set of connections and the other readout indicated "1". 

Does anyone have experience repairing this situation?  Alternatively, is there a good replacement for the Power Line monitor?

Thanks, Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #5 –
Richard,
 
That is the way mine has (not)worked since I bought Ducky 8/8/2014. I have checked the obvious suspects, circuit breakers and visible connections. My priority list has kept me from opening up the panel and test as you have done. My hope is to find a connection that has come apart.
 
The steps you outlined are exactly what I will do. Unfortunately, If I had the same results as you, I would conclude that the circuit board has gone bad. By bringing in a good 115V AC (verified by one side of the monitor working), you have eliminated another common source of problems; the wiring from point A to point B.
 
If there are not obvious signs of corrosion on the connectors, that is what it looks like from this end of that long, long screwdriver.  :)
 
Good luck, and please let us know if you find the solution,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Jan & Richard –
I am re initiating this thread because I am experiencing the same display problem that Trent wrote about. 

My monitor shows normal voltage on one line but displays only the numeral 1 on the other leg.  After assuring myself that the electrical system was working properly, I removed the monitor from the coach to bench test it.  I wired a 115 volt cord to one set of connections  and the corresponding readout indicated the voltage.  Then I wired the cord to the other set of connections and the other readout indicated "1". 

Does anyone have experience repairing this situation?  Alternatively, is there a good replacement for the Power Line monitor?

Thanks, Richard
I posted about the same problem awhile back and one of the replies had a link to Flight Systems, Inc. and I sent my monitor there for repair. It arrived Friday of last week and I am waiting for the call back.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #7 –
Follow up on voltage monitor Flight Systems says they can repair mine and they have one other one in there from another customer.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #8 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –

 
"The reason I think that is the Powerline Monitor display (see photo). The display for Voltage Check for line 2 shows 125, but the display for line 1 shows 1."

As a followup, I chose not to send my Powerline Monitor away to be repaired.  Instead, I bought a couple of generic voltage/polarity monitors from Amazon for about $70.00 and cut the backs off of them.  I removed the "guts" of the Powerline, cut an appropriate sized rectangle out of the face plate and installed the two monitors.  I believe the result is aesthetically acceptable and the project probably cost less than repairing the old monitor. 

So, if anyone would like the "guts" of an old Powerline Monitor that reads 1 volt on one of the legs, just PM me. 

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Another apparent 120VAC power problem

Reply #9 –
Richard,

I am very impressed at the way you were able to re-purpose that monitor faceplate. It really looks like it belongs in a Foretravel.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385