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Topic: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug (Read 978 times) previous topic - next topic

Female, weathertight, shoreline plug


Good morning ,
Does anyone know the exact location of where this plug is at?

Every once in a while, my surge guard will let power through but I have no lights at the over under surge protection located next to the transfer switch relay number one.



Thanks
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #1 –
On a 2003 I'd almost think they forgot to update the schematic to show the powered shore reel there instead of a weathertight connector.  Older coaches had a "loose" shore power cord with a female Hubbell connector on the coach; newer ones (like the 2003) have a powered reel.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #2 –
That schematic had me confused also, it looked like what was on my '81
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #3 –
Frank my 2001 doesnt have that plug? In reading your fault I would be looking real close at the reel brushes and commutator. Brushes will pit the commutator over time. I never move the reel under load. Mine is a manual reel and always parks in the exact same location. A power reel would randomly stop at any position, I think that would be better.
Scott

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #4 –
Quote from: craneman –
That schematic had me confused also, it looked like what was on my '81

Yeah - the schematics for our (now Dan's) 2003 show that plug and I'm 99% sure we didn't have one.

Frank - I'm a bit confused about the no lights on the over/under protection.  Are you talking about the old Intermatic device that was OEM on the coach or is this a newer SurgeGuard?  Do you still have a Maverick transfer switch in the coach?  OEM, the Maverick is what has/had over/under relays in it.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #5 –
Thanks everyone for your input.

Michelle- I do have a power real. So wrong schematic and no plug after the real.

"Are you talking about the old Intermatic device that was OEM on the coach " yes

I think my transfer switches are original

Here are some pictures.


Scott - look into "I would be looking real close at the reel brushes and commutator. " I guess those are inside the actual reel in the drum. Is that repairable or do I need to replace the real?

My surge guard from SouthWire was giving me power. But I was not getting power at the Intermatic next to the transfer switches.

Thanks again
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #6 –
Definitely can remove the reel, open them up, clean the commentator, polish out, any pits and reassemble. If the brush springs have gotten hot, you'll have to replace the brushes/springs. May or may not have to drill out a couple of pop rivets.

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #7 –
Is this what I am going to find
Reply #6 pics

Replacing 50Amp Power Cord Reel - Questions??
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
Thanks everyone for your input.

Michelle- I do have a power real. So wrong schematic and no plug after the real.

"Are you talking about the old Intermatic device that was OEM on the coach " yes

I think my transfer switches are original

My surge guard from SouthWire was giving me power. But I was not getting power at the Intermatic next to the transfer switches.



OK, yes, you have the original transfer switch.

When you say "the surge guard from SouthWire was giving me power", do you mean you had actual 120VAC power in the coach, or just at the output of the surge guard?

No lights on the Intermatic device would normally indicate it isn't getting power. Its power comes from the transfer switch, so that would indicate the transfer switch wasn't passing shore power.  So I'm trying to understand if you have shore power working but the Intermatic isn't lit, or if you don't have shore power when it's not lit. <- Senior moment there....  sorry

The orange over/under relays in the OEM Maverick transfer switch can go bad, as can the Eaton contactors (not pass power).  Do not attempt to adjust the relays yourself if you don't have a known source to calibrate them with.  I don't know if the relays are available any longer.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #9 –
1- "When you say "the surge guard from SouthWire was giving me power", do you mean you had actual 120VAC power in the coach, or just at the output of the surge guard?"
No power in the coach.

2- "No lights on the Intermatic device would normally indicate it isn't getting power.  Its power comes from the transfer switch, so that would indicate the transfer switch wasn't passing shore power. "
I thought the Intermatic allowed power to the transfer switch as per the schematic pic.

The portable surge guard I connect to the pedestal is saying everything is fine.
But I was not getting the greenlights of the Intermatic nor the clunk of the transfer switch.
When I Went outside to get pictures for the prior posts and opened the wet bay, I heard the transfer switch and I had power.

I called Foretravel and they sent me a picture of the spring and brushes that they have for the reel. If that is the actual cause.

Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #10 –
2 things to look at. Move the power cord reel small movements to see if it makes a difference.

And more likely, if you slightly adjust the dial on the orange switches in your picture, it may let power in.  I had this happen in one campground. The orange device was cutting power that the EMS let in.

I think I posted about it, I'll look for that post.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #11 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
2 things to look at. Move the power cord reel small movements to see if it makes a difference.

And more likely, if you slightly adjust the dial on the orange switches in your picture, it may let power in  (most likely the low side not high side).  I had this happen in one campground. The orange device was cutting power that the EMS let in.

I think I posted about it, I'll look for that post.



From my old post when the same happened to me:

"So as T-Man advised, and Tom Lang mentioned, it was the high/low voltage module in the basement under the relay#1 automatic transfer case lid.

So power was on the input  side, but ATS relay was not clicking to let power through.  The reason the relay would not engage was the orange hi/low voltage relay in the picture attached.  A slight adjustment on the high voltage pot (right side of the orange module) allowed the ATS relay to engage.

With power now in the coach, the factory power line monitor shows 125 volts leg one, 124 leg 2.
The progressive industries EMS monitor shows 126 leg one, 127 leg two, so close on both.

When the ATS relay first kicked on I was seeing 130 volts on leg 2 on the progressive monitor.

"Probable" solution.
Help - NO shore power into coach
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #12 –
So I too have a Southwire. Everything take over 2 minutes to power up then time delay for AC's to come. I actually purchase 8 x 125 ac meters to install on each leg at multable positions just to see what is going on and what stage we are at in regards to powering up. Two after the cord. Two on the Generator, Two after the transfer switch. Was going to install on the bed frame forward of the power transfer area. Transfer switch is hardwire into my southwire then to the coach.  Definitely a love hate relationship. Southwire will prevent generator power if it is incorrect from powering up the coach. Guess I have trust issues.
Scott

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #13 –
Thanks Dan & Scott,
I will look into the reel first and go from there.
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
1- "When you say "the surge guard from SouthWire was giving me power", do you mean you had actual 120VAC power in the coach, or just at the output of the surge guard?"
No power in the coach.

2- "No lights on the Intermatic device would normally indicate it isn't getting power.  Its power comes from the transfer switch, so that would indicate the transfer switch wasn't passing shore power. "
I thought the Intermatic allowed power to the transfer switch as per the schematic pic.


 :facepalm:  Yes, you're right of course.  Power does not go out the shore cord, it goes in...  It's been a long week.  I edited my comment.

Still, the Intermatic isn't getting power, so that means the problem is between it and the shoreline plug, most likely in the shoreline reel.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #15 –
It's an intermittent problem which needs attention.
Foretravel has the brushes, if those are the correct ones in pic
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Michelle –
:facepalm:  Yes, you're right of course.  Power does not go out the shore cord, it goes in...  It's been a long week.  I edited my comment.

Still, the Intermatic isn't getting power, so that means the problem is between it and the shoreline plug, most likely in the shoreline reel.
Very fast test to adjust the pot on those orange relays. Far easier than taking the power reel apart (I have done both when I had the issue.)  Mark current pot spot with a marker first in case that is not the issue.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #17 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
Very fast test to adjust the pot on those orange relays. Far easier than taking the power reel apart (I have done both when I had the issue.)  Mark current pot spot with a marker first in case that is not the issue.

Yes, easy to physically adjust, but you MUST have a known good calibration source.  You need to adjust one for low (108 VAC) and the other for high (132 VAC)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Yes, easy to physically adjust, but you MUST have a known good calibration source.  You need to adjust one for low (108 VAC) and the other for high (132 VAC)


Good voltage calibration source is not as critical if you  have a high end aftermarket EMS that is before the factory system, and mark your adjustment pots for current setting before minor adjustments to check if that is indeed the issue.

In our case, the Progressive EMS was passing power through, but the factory system prevented power into the coach. A minor adjustment on the high voltage dial let it work as it should.

With a high end aftermarket  EMS with power display, the factory system is redundant and no longer a necessay compenent (in my opinion).  However I did keep both in play, with a minor adjustment on the factory system.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #19 –
Quote from: AC7880 –

Good voltage calibration source is not as critical if you  have a high end aftermarket EMS that is before the factory system, and mark your adjustment pots for current setting before minor adjustments to check if that is indeed the issue.

In our case, the Progressive EMS was passing power through, but the factory system prevented power into the coach. A minor adjustment on the high voltage dial let it work as it should.

With a high end aftermarket  EMS with power display, the factory system is redundant and no longer a necessay compenent (in my opinion).  However I did keep both in play, with a minor adjustment on the factory system.

Agree completely Dan.  A quality aftermarket EMS system is key.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #20 –
Good morning,
I've been up since 2 AM because I heard the transfer switch clunk and I lost power.
I went outside to move the reel, since I think it's an issue with the contacts in the reel ,to see if I could restore power but nothing. Came back inside the coach, and a few minutes later the power came back on. Not even five minutes later, the power went off again .

I tried to do some investigating the other day by removing the shore, power electric reel, and this is what I found, see pics below.

I purchased brushes the other day at Foretravel, like the one pictured at beginning of post,but do not think that my reel uses that type .  I came across another post that had "C" clip type brushes , but I can't find that post right now.

Will keep on searching while I have a cup of coffee.
Here is a link to a video

https://youtu.be/hGJKr3YZSR0

It's 0350 and power just came back on again on its own.
0355 power went off again,  fun, fun fun.
0544 power back on
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Still, the Intermatic isn't getting power, so that means the problem is between it and the shoreline plug, most likely in the shoreline reel. 

I need to inject a fine point about the Intermatic Panel Guard.
The 2 idiot lights on the Intermatic Panel guard are on this device for one reason. To let you know the Intermatic Panel Guard is connected to power and is working as a surge suppressor.  They can help you determine if you have power to the coach but if one or both of the lights are out is not a guarantee that you do not have power to the coach.  If one or both of the legs in the Panel Guard get eaten up during a surge event, the light will go out letting you know it is no longer doing it's job as a surge suppressor.

It is also possible for the intermatic Panel Guard to stop working if you have a bad or loose neutral.
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: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #22 –
LT, Until you get the cord reel sorted out, you can bypass the cord reel by disconnecting the wires from both terminals and connecting them together. Go and get 4 machine screws with a lock washers and nuts and electrical tape.  Make sure you have shore power disconnected. Tie the same color wires together and make sure the connection is tight. Then tape up real good so the connections do not touch each other or anything else.
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: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #23 –
Thanks TurboJack,
Understood .
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Female, weathertight, shoreline plug

Reply #24 –
Any reel movement no matter how small, while power is on, could cause problems from arcing. Obviously, any movement when higher power devices are running will cause more problems.

It can be hard to keep reel from moving when someone moves a power cord lying on the ground. There are ways to minimize cord movement by extending the cable so it does not pull on reel.

Removing the reel could reduce these shore power problems, but few are willing to go that route.