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Topic: Power Cord Reel (Read 640 times) previous topic - next topic

Power Cord Reel

My problem with voltage fluctuation in our Mexican RV park hasn't "gone away".
Sometimes, the display shows normal readings, sometimes it shows 105 and 130ish numbers.
The power at the pole where I am plugged in is new service, and my Progressive Industries EMS displays correct voltage at each leg.
Past responses here leads me to want to check out the internals of my cord reel. Looking at it, the junction box seems riveted. Anyway, in order to check it out, it looks like I have to unbolt the reel and go from there. 18 years of use makes me think internal brushes might be worn??
Has anyone tackled this type of repair?
What am I looking for?
Could I get repairs done?
Could I bypass the reel temporarily while pursing repairs , so we still have power?
Thanks

Re: Power Cord Reel

Reply #1 –
Quote from: GleamB –
Past responses here leads me to want to check out the internals of my cord reel. Looking at it, the junction box seems riveted. Anyway, in order to check it out, it looks like I have to unbolt the reel and go from there. 18 years of use makes me think internal brushes might be worn??
Has anyone tackled this type of repair?
What am I looking for?
Could I get repairs done?
Could I bypass the reel temporarily while pursing repairs , so we still have power?
Thanks


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Re: Power Cord Reel

Reply #2 –
My post may not be a help to your current issue and I remember others here with this issue in the past  but as a future change option  and to maybe give others an alternative the boating industry and most rv builders in the 2000's went to a glendinning  power cord reel with a storage bin under the mechanism.

RLC Cablemaster "Package Unit" | Store - Glendinning Products

The slip rings are a known safety issue so I changed out our  slip ring cord reel proactively soon after we purchased our coach.

The installation required turning the cablemaster sideways in front of our slanted water tanks and we had to remove the hose reel assembly.

The safer and more reliable cablemaster was worth the changeout and loss of the hose reel for us.

Separately my guru buddy and I recently installed a Hughes Autoformer behind the cablemaster with a repluggable Hughes connector to be able to by pass the Autoformer if it fails.

I can reach in and unplug the Autoformer and replug the power cord directly into the coach.  It's tight but not hard to do.

Yes I understand that an Autoformer may not be per the new code but it's in the compartment and bypass-able easily the way we did it.

In Mexico the possible code issue would be  moot anyway.

Sorry for your issues.  Especially far from home....



 



Re: Power Cord Reel

Reply #3 –
Howdy Glenn, 
  If you suspect  the brushes in the Power Reel, you might trying pulling out (or retrieving) a little more cord.  This repositions the Collector rings under the brushes.  By monitoring your Power Displays you may find there is some "bad" spots on the rings, that have poor electrical connection.
 I removed our power reel for this very reason, the brushes couldn't be replaced (not available), and collector rings had many "bad" spots.  We just hand coil the power cord.  Actually works out very well.
Good Luck, Dave A
 

Re: Power Cord Reel

Reply #4 –
The "brushes" inside my power reel failed a couple of years ago.

As suggested, you might try pulling out a little cable while someone watches the volt meter.  If the voltage changes correspond to moving the cable, then you have identified the culprit.

I just removed the power reel and hand coil the cable.  Not really a problem.