Skip to main content
Topic: 30 amp near miss. (Read 937 times) previous topic - next topic

30 amp near miss.

We always stay at 50 amp pedestals, so never have a concern, get spoiled, and stupid. This site, 30 amps, we liked a lot, had the EMS (which works on 30 amp) plugged-in and settled down. Had the rear roof air on max, fridge on power. We have a toaster oven and went to heat-up some leftovers. Just happened to look at our meter, and WOW! Blew nothing, but shut-down that air right now!
Something to remember, I will.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #1
did the EMS not work?

I use our EMS and a autoformer on any 30 amp

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #2
I looked at the EMS after the "scare", it had no memory of a episode. I skated. If I'd had a few more watts on the oven, who knows?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #3
What scare did you have?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #4
Looking at our "Powerwatch' meter, I showed a reading going below 110v., not much, not enough to trip anything, but freaked me out!  At 30 amps, with proper application, it will stay at 115v with the fridge on., unlike 50 amps, where 120 volts is the norm.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #5
110 is fine.  You would appreciate the autoformer.  Trades amps for volts
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #6
No near miss. 110v or even a few below is common and fine. Wont hurt a thing, especialy not running a toaster for a minute. Youll trip a breaker or ems, long before a near miss.
95 U300SE

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #7
120 VAC plus/minus 10% is pretty well the universally acceptable range for voltage.  So, 108- 132 VAC.  Sure, closer to 120 VAC is preferred.
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: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #8
I think the EMS cutout is 104 volts.  The Hughes autoformer changes amps to more volts very well.

At 110 I would not hook up the autoformer normally.

Dinner time here in big bear is when the volts drop and the help from the unit is needed.

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #9
Thanks, all, I knew I was close to something going wrong. All one has to happen, is have a "near meltdown" that takes out all cable ends and the ATS. After that scare, and a CB+ to fix it, I got a EMS and keep a close eye on the Powerwatch. Nothing like a "fire in the hole" to make one paranoid, especially in old parks.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #10
Quote
Looking at our "Powerwatch' meter
Something to consider. I've added the Progressive Dynamics EMS to two coaches. In both cases the EMS voltage readings were always different than the Powerwatch. I'll put my money on the accuracy of the EMS.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #11
  I'll put my money on the accuracy of the EMS.

Me too. A mistake I made was not installing the EMS on board, with a wall-mount display. I have checked the Powerwatch with my high-end Fluke VOM, and it's pretty close, though. It's like wi-fi, when parks start filling up, and demand increases, the "drain" comes quick, and I keep a close eye on my PW.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #12
I just checked to see if my 50 amp Progressive EMS protects against an overload and it does not.  That is the job of the circuit breaker at the post if plugged in since none of the normal loads in the coach would pop a breaker in the coach.  Combined they could pop a 30 amp breaker at the post though, but that would be all that would happen and not much cause for alarm.  Doubt if any of us would ever pop a 50 amp breaker, unless you have an all electric coach with 5 AC's on the roof and everything on.  It is good though to keep track of how much power can be used to prevent low voltage conditions and a walk outside to reset the breaker.  An EMS is a great device to have as it can protect against a lot of things that a breaker does not, especially low voltage in a park that is not adequately wired.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #13
I just checked to see if my 50 amp Progressive EMS protects against an overload and it does not. 

Hmm, Our EMS-PT 50C says, "When AC power deviates below 104 volts or above 132 volts, the EMS automatically shuts down power to the RV."
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #14
Quote
When AC power deviates below 104 volts or above 132 volts

On my 320 it shut it down one night and the error code indicated too high voltage.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #15
Hmm, Our EMS-PT 50C says, "When AC power deviates below 104 volts or above 132 volts, the EMS automatically shuts down power to the RV."
When I said overload, I meant amps.  My EMS does the same as yours for high and low voltage.  Shuts off power to the coach until it is seeing an acceptable voltage and the delay has been satisfied then restores power.  EMS's do have an amp rating which is the max amperage that should flow through the EMS.  If you have a 50 amp cord you should have a 50 amp rated EMS.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #16
EMS keeps  off for power for  two minutes after a low or high voltage shutoff if memory serves me.

If I use both the progressive and autoformer the autoformer is first as I just want the power fixed to the limit of the units capacity.

If the autoformers limits are exceeded then the EMS will shut down the circuit.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #17
Original post " Ac on high, fridge on Ac, battery charger on, toaster oven on" might be a bit much for 30! Just thinking out loud
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

 

Re: 30 amp near miss.

Reply #18
I use the built in from Foretravel power consumption gage that is under the powerwatch.  Seems to work well.

Obviously load shedding is needed at times,  I have had a gen breaker open from load before.

Put in new breakers and watch the load better
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4