Low cost way to check campground wiring

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Low cost way to check campground wiring

August 21, 2018, 11:27:06 am

I thought this might be a good idea, even if you have a more expensive surge suppressor, I’m going to try this first. It’s a 30 amp to 110 volt converter plug, and an outlet tester you can buy at HD.

Re: Low cost way to check campground wiring

Reply #1 – August 21, 2018, 11:52:40 am

I am curious now - what are some of the major problems with power at campgrounds?

Re: Low cost way to check campground wiring

Reply #2 – August 21, 2018, 12:06:54 pm

Chet - surges is what I've picked...and why a surge protector should be on your "buy list"

Bill

Re: Low cost way to check campground wiring

Reply #3 – August 21, 2018, 03:14:20 pm

"what are some of the major problems with power at campgrounds?"

In my experience, number one is low voltage (especially in summer, when many air conditioners are in use) and number two is miswired outlets. The inexpensive polarity checker that Clark mentioned will alert you to the second, but not the first. A Progressive Industries or SurgeGuard energy management system ("EMS") will automatically protect you from both, as well as from surges, overvoltage, and bad line frequency.

If your budget won't allow the couple of hundred dollars for an EMS, an outlet checker is better than nothing, and they're small and affordable--well worth having. Although I do have a Progressive Industries EMS, I also carry one of the units Clark mentioned for general outlet testing, both inside and outside.

Re: Low cost way to check campground wiring

Reply #4 – August 21, 2018, 06:19:31 pm

Hi Clark. I carry the aforementioned outlet checker, with GFCI tester, and a Kil-o-watt meter. It will tell you the voltage and frequency, if the socket is wired well enough for it to operate. Handy to monitor power draw at home or on the road. P3 P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor - Low Temperature Alarms -....
In suspect campgrounds you can plug in the watt meter to watch the voltage coming in to your coach. Also you can watch the frequency of your generator (engine speed). RonB

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Re: Low cost way to check campground wiring

Reply #5 – August 21, 2018, 07:43:36 pm

Quote from: Andy Baird - August 21, 2018, 03:14:20 pm

In my experience, number one is low voltage (especially in summer, when many air conditioners are in use) and number two is miswired outlets. The inexpensive polarity checker that Clark mentioned will alert you to the second, but not the first. A Progressive Industries or SurgeGuard energy management system ("EMS") will automatically protect you from both, as well as from surges, overvoltage, and bad line frequency.

A hard-wired surge protector should be standard equipment.
I like and have installed many Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C surge protectors over the last 15 years and just about everyone has given them a thumbs up. I particularly like the remote fob that shows the voltage, amperage, cycles per second and if trouble codes are present or if it is error free.
Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C
Once installed, the EMS-HW30C is automatic and is thief proof, unlike the portable models that need to be chained down to the power pedestal, which doesn't always prevent them from walking off..
If the surge protector element, or any other part ever burns out, after a big surge, it is user replaceable.
As Andy pointed out, low voltage, on hot afternoons, is the biggest voltage issue.
Our surge protector shut the A/C off several times, a few weeks ago, when we had an exceptionally hot afternoon, in which much of Los Angeles experienced a brown out. Voltage dropped to 100-VAC
Occasionally, the surge protector will detect a pedestal that is missing its ground or the hot and neutral wires are flipped.

A hard wired surge protector is similar to a TPMS in that it provides greater safety while eliminating another repetitive chore when driving or setting up camp.

Larry

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