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Electrical Question

It's been a long time since being on the Forum.  Since there are a lot of wizards here I decided to bring my dilemma here.  I've been camping all summer in the coach using 50A service and using the generator.  I'm on my way home in Florida and decided to stop in St. Augustine Anastasia State Park.  I'm plugged into a 30A pedestal using the dog bone and learned that my front AC and water heater are not getting power.  Everything else works. The only thing I can think of is that before I left on my trip I installed a kit in the bay so I can plug in my watchdog inside the bay instead of leaving it outside.  Could it be possible that the 110 leads could be flip flopped on my connections not allowing me to get the right connection.  I will have to check that out.    I also noticed that the 50A watch dog would not connect also.  I have a feeling the all of the lines need to be lined up correctly down the chain of connections.
Thanks, John Morales
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #1 –
What shape is your dog bone in? It's supposed to connect L1 and L2 of the 50a plug to L1 of the 30A plug so that both sides of the circuit is powered and sharing the 30A connection. It's possible there is a bad connection in that. If you have a multi meter you can check the continuity on the terminals of the dog bone without it plugged into anything and make sure each spot on the 50A side connects to something on the  30A side.

Does the AC work on the generator? If it does, it means the issue is probably between the transfer switch and the pedestal. If not, then the issue is likely between the transfer switch and the breaker box.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #2 –
YUP, pull out your voltmeter and check the 50 amp end of your 30 amp male to 50 amp female adapter:

Two outer straights are the hots
Center straight is neutral
Center round is ground

SO:

Either outer to either center= 120 VAC
Center straight to center round= 0 VAC
Outer straight to outer straight= 0 VAC

Let us know what you find.
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: Electrical Question

Reply #3 –
Thank you to all that replied.  Checked everything with the meter and the cord I connected on the WatchDog I had line 1 and Line 2 switched.  Line 1 should always be Red and Line 2 should always be black.  The instructions for male and female plugs I bought say that it doesn't matter what color goes on what side.  Color does matter.  Simple fix.  Got a happy face on the WatchDog and everything is working as it should. 

Again, thanks so much for the response,
John Morales
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #4 –
John
I have the large 50 amp watchdog EPO and am always frustrated having to lock it to the pedestal each time. it also is so big the connection invariably sits on the ground.
Also the bright white light I know attracts people at night.
I would love to see the setup you have built to keep the unit in the bay, if possible.
Peter
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #5 –


This is where I put mine. I got the hardwire version. Protects and provides information on both the shore power and generator.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #6 –
For Autoformer, Watchdog, etc units that are not hardwired, leaving them at pedestal is always risky from theft or rain. So many use a 50-amp extension cable with male/female 50-amp connectors with the female end located in some locked compartment like engine, water bay, etc. Then plug in Autoformer, Watchdog, etc. Then connect shore cable to the output end of Autoformer, Watchdog, etc. Lock compartment and all is secure.

If coach does not have electric reel and does have a male 50-amp inlet mounted in water bay, a short 50-amp cable with 50-amp male / 50-amp inlet connectors can be used instead of removable shore cable when device are located in the same bay.

We also like Smartplug ( RV Accessories | RV Electrical Connectors | RV Power Cords ) for coaches with removable shore cables.

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #7 –
Hey john! Nice to hear from you guys again. Glad you got it solved.
I installed both my autoformer and my power watch dog inside the coach where the auto transfer switches used to be. I documented it here somewhere. I used a separate plug for the autoformer and haven't plugged it in in 2 years. Basically all I need to do is lift the bed and switch some plugs around and I'm good to go.
When you wired your power watch dog how did you do it? What I mean is did you just put the bare wire in and screw it down or did you use something else? Text hub and I devised a way to use ferals that I then crimped with an old rj11 crimper. I found that bare wires didn't do well with the type of wire holder that they use.
I see a lot of people with a power watchdog outside and yeah I think that it's just asking for trouble.
On my system it takes a minute before the transfer switches click over first and the power watch dog and then in my victron system. Victron gives me the ability to ramp up the current so I always start at 9:00 amps, the lowest that it will go, then to below whatever I'm on so if I'm on a 50 amp plug in I'll usually set it for 45 amps. It's not so important on shore power but it allows me to start the generator with no load and then slowly ramp the load up.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired
 

Re: Electrical Question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Peter –
John
I have the large 50 amp watchdog EPO and am always frustrated having to lock it to the pedestal each time. it also is so big the connection invariably sits on the ground.
Also the bright white light I know attracts people at night.
I would love to see the setup you have built to keep the unit in the bay, if possible.
Peter

Peter,
I used the kit that Hughes Autoformer has.  I set it up so I can plug in my autoformer booster or the watchdog.  Attached is the link for the kit. 
Hope this helps, John
Internal Hardwired Mounting Kit - 50 Amp - Hughes Autoformers
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."