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Topic: Sanity check on incoming voltage (Read 1075 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #25 –
Yup, with the single hot in 30 amp service, both monitor legs SHOULD read the same. Do they?

And, when you get a chance, you might circle back to post #14 (the two separate feeds for the monitor) and update us.
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: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #26 –
And a very simple thing to do, first, if you have a power cord reel, is to move the cord, by pulling and changing the contact points inside.  A visiting neighbor had an issue and the service tech asked about his storage barn parking.  The owner said it is an easy plug in, and he only pulls out 6' of cord at home.  And there we all were, looking at about 6' pulled out at the park.  He moved the cord in and out, and everything worked for the rest of his visit.
And now the owner also has a spare transfer switch he thought he needed, as he was dropping one leg of 50 amp.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #27 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yup, with the single hot in 30 amp service, both monitor legs SHOULD read the same. Do they?

And, when you get a chance, you might circle back to post #14 (the two separate feeds for the monitor) and update us.
Yes, reading 120v on both lines.
I was going to do that this morning and report back, trying not to tinker too much while we're camping and irritate wifey 😛
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Dave Cobb –
And a very simple thing to do, first, if you have a power cord reel, is to move the cord, by pulling and changing the contact points inside.  A visiting neighbor had an issue and the service tech asked about his storage barn parking.  The owner said it is an easy plug in, and he only pulls out 6' of cord at home.  And there we all were, looking at about 6' pulled out at the park.  He moved the cord in and out, and everything worked for the rest of his visit.
And now the owner also has a spare transfer switch he thought he needed, as he was dropping one leg of 50 amp.
Interesting...at my house I didn't have the power cord pulled out at all. Maybe the contact points were the issue. After the comments about length and gauge of my extension cords I'm going to pull out reel far enough to connect to the 50' 10 gauge and eliminate the 50' 12 gauge just to be safe. I just buried the conduit last week to install a 50 amp box right next to the coach, so hopefully get that done in a couple weeks.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #29 –
Take care when that new plug is installed.  I have now run across 2 newly installed by master electricians, that were not done as a RV plugs should be installed.  One had to argue with me and the homeowner, did not like the drawing I pulled up on line, and then just left.  I just changed both to the correct RV needs.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #30 –
50 amp is pretty hard to mess up:

The two outer straights are the hots (L1 and L2)
The center straight is neutral
The center round is ground.

Exactly the same as a home 50 amp appliance.

Yes, 30 amp CAN be messed up, as there are both 30 amp 120 VAC and 30 amp 240 VAC.  The 30 amp 240 would "let the smoke out" of most all appliances in your coach.
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: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #31 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
50 amp is pretty hard to mess up:

The two outer straights are the hots (L1 and L2)
The center straight is neutral
The center round is ground.

Exactly the same as a home 50 amp appliance.

Yes, 30 amp CAN be messed up, as there are both 30 amp 120 VAC and 30 amp 240 VAC.  The 30 amp 240 would "let the smoke out" of most all appliances in your coach.

And yes, it would seem hard to mess up, and that amazed me.  And the 30 amp was also wrong for the other new guest as well.
Always best to check before plugging in anything.  As once you "let the smoke out" it's bad.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Dave Cobb –
And yes, it would seem hard to mess up, and that amazed me.  And the 30 amp was also wrong for the other new guest as well.
Always best to check before plugging in anything.  As once you "let the smoke out" it's bad.

Be careful when you purchase replacement smoke.  Some chassis electrics are positive ground.  This won't work in a negative ground chassis.

1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
Be careful when you purchase replacement smoke.  Some chassis electrics are positive ground.  This won't work in a negative ground chassis.


😂
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #34 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
First, let's verify how your coach is wired.  Some coaches use the ATS internal to the inverter/ charger to supply the sub panel.  Some have a SECOND ATS.  Do you have two ATS's?

Still trying to wrap my head around two different sources for power to the monitors-- one from main breaker panel, one from sub panel.  Can think of no reason to have the one from the main panel.  Whether on shore power or generator, the sub panel would have power-- either from "pass through" feature of the inverter/charger OR through a second ATS.  And, if inverter is on, it would provide 120 VAC to the monitor.

So, please try this: Main breaker panel all on except the two that are marked monitor.  Does the monitor still read (through the connection on the sub panel?  Now, unplug shore power, generator off.  Turn on inverter.  Does the monitor still read?
Brett,
Finally got around to this. I'm back home now plugged into both cords like before just to see if I would have an issue again. So far reading 123v on both lines even with the 10g and 12g extension cords plugged in. Maybe it was the cord reel contacts like someone mentioned earlier 🤷
When plugged in and breakers on main panel marked Line Monitor turned OFF there is no reading on the line monitor.
When inverter on and unplugged from shore, not getting a reading on line monitor, though now that I think about it I thought I used to. All outlets and appliances still work though when inverter is on. Shouldnt the line monitor show voltage when inverter is on without shore power?
Attached some pics of the labels on both panels. Could the Line Monitor label on the sub panel be a mistake?
Also took a picture of my Outback Monitor screen and was wondering if it matters if Cord or Gen are selected? It doesn't seem to matter which one is selected so I just keep it on Cord even though the Genny still provides power to the coach even when Cord is selected.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Sanity check on incoming voltage

Reply #35 –
My 2001 U320 should be like dlkj07's. The power from those two 120v circuit breakers (each powered by one line or the other) goes to a pair of duplex outlets behind the panel, one is line 1 and the other is line 2.  Your panel that shows the 124v for each leg has two cords with plugs that plug into these outlets.

My panel has 2 digital volt meters connected to the two outlets, a Victron CCGX display, 2 Victron BMV battery monitors and the remote display for my Sterling B2B charger.  The panel is mounted with velcro, easy to remove unlike the OEM panel.

When I am plugged to the landline (or on generator) the AC voltages on both legs are shown. In the second picture while connected to the land line with the inverter/charger on both line voltages show. The charger is charging as is solar and my smaller charger. The differences in leg voltages are due to differences in loads.

When connected to the landline with the inverter/charger off, both line voltage show.  The solar and small charger are charging.  Cloudy day, limited solar.

With the landline disconnected, the inverter comes on providing 190 watts of AC. Neither line voltage are shown. House batteries are at 13.34v, solar is providing 69 watts, DC loads are 89 watts. It is taking 201 net watts to make 190 watts for the AC loads, 11 watts to power the Victron MultiPlus, just what the specs say.

I really do not know why the inverter powered circuit that provided power to one of the two lines does not show up on one of the volt meters. It seems like it should based on the AC wiring diagrams. When on the inverter the circuit is powered but the line monitor outlet is not.

Bottom line (for whatever reason) the voltages for the two lines show when on land line or generator but not when on the inverter in my 2001 U320.  Yours may be different.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN