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Topic: AC voltage at pedestal (Read 593 times) previous topic - next topic

AC voltage at pedestal

Here is the issue.
Am at a site that does not have the best ac power. It fluctuates between 99 and 115 voltage at the pedestal throughout the the day depending on when in the day it is. So the voltage measured through my power watchdog when it is steady and I turn on the ac in the coach drops the inbound voltage so low it shuts down the system
Is there an issue with my internal system??

I should also add when I disconnected ac power and fired up the generator everything worked perfectly
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #1 –
Pic of my powerwatchdog
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #2 –
As soon as you turn your AC on you would drop the voltage at the pedestal. There probably
nothing wrong with your system but low voltage could harm your components.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #3 –
So just bad power at pedestal???
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #4 –
Some RV Parks were wired by morons and/or criminals, or have just been neglected.  Period.  Unplug and run the APU.  If they complain, call 911 and report the park to the county DA for code violations.  Or go somewhere else.  Your call, but NEVER stay plugged in to faulty power,  EVER!!!! 
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #5 –
Thanks oldguy

Should not the park power remain constant enough to absorb the drop in power. That seems ridiculous that the park power would not support one AC unit
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #6 –
A lot of it is caused by the size of wire and the length of the run.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #7 –
Hmmmm. Standard 50 amp cable into my powerwatchdog then into a 30 amp adapter into the pedestal.  Late a t night here now and the power watch says 109.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #8 –
I think you need to move. You do not have good power at your pedestal. You are going to burn up a AC unit or something else if you stay connected.
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: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #9 –
I would have already left that RV park!  Just saying................  I do have soft starts on all 3 of my airs and it makes a difference, but when I have an issue with one of those, color me GONE!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #10 –
It's a voltage drop problem at the pedestal, could be caused by the feeder to the pedestal being too small or a poor connection. The larger the amp load the greater the voltage drop will be. Try another site, it could be a problem with just that particular site. To be on the safe side, stay within +10% or -10% of the appliance rating. (120v in this case)
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #11 –
We have running the generator during the day as this is only way to get consistent power throughout the day. At night the power seems to level out and we can plug in. Just burning fuel during the day.  Am supposed to be here for the next 8 days....everything is booked up elsewhere
Will have to deal with this way I guess. How much fuel does the 10 kw power tech burn an hour?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Peter –
Will have to deal with this way I guess. How much fuel does the 10 kw power tech burn an hour?

 Close to 1 gallon per hr.  It all depends on generator load.  Ie AC compressors running or not.
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: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #13 –
We tracked our gen to 4/10 gallon per hour.

Also made an investment in a Hughes Autoformer and only use it a few times when campground had low voltage. But it saved us every time. As all motors that run at voltages under 110 volts will strain and shorten motor life.

You could try a different campsite if you can move within the park. They will not be surprised at your low voltage issue.

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Peter –

Will have to deal with this way I guess. How much fuel does the 10 kw power tech burn an hour?
I have read multiple times approx 1/2 gallon per hour
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Peter –
We have running the generator during the day as this is only way to get consistent power throughout the day. At night the power seems to level out and we can plug in. Just burning fuel during the day.  Am supposed to be here for the next 8 days....everything is booked up elsewhere
Will have to deal with this way I guess. How much fuel does the 10 kw power tech burn an hour?

Have you complained to the campground office? Maybe they can fix it.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
Have you complained to the campground office? Maybe they can fix it.
I have to admit, the optimist in me wants to believe this but the realist part of me knows they probably won't — at least not in a timely fashion.  This is doubly true if the park in question is corporate owned.

Bill
95 36' U295  CAI, build #4757
—>formerly homed in the midwest, now mobile again,
      mid-atlantic for the present.

Re: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
Have you complained to the campground office? Maybe they can fix it.

Quote from: Stonyfork –
I have to admit, the optimist in me wants to believe this but the realist part of me knows they probably won't — at least not in a timely fashion.  This is doubly true if the park in question is corporate owned.

Bill

Kind of like winning the lottery. If you don't buy a ticket you will never win.  I would at least ask since you are going to be there so long. They might even thank you for bringing it to their attention.  You will never know if you don't tell them.  It might even save you some $ in fuel that you are burning in the generator.

Now going to the store to buy a Texas Lotto ticket.

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: AC voltage at pedestal

Reply #18 –
Stony fork
That is exactly the case as I have talked to the office about it and they are aware of issues. I also stated that they really are false advertising until they get the situation fixed. AND they will not refund the money. Sad to say cause the rest of the site is spectacular that I will not come back here.
Barry
We too are using the the Hughes autoformer at the pedestal as well the built in one in the coach. It shuts the power down with anything lower than 104 volts. Annoying as hell but effective. Live and learn....
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox