et2
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I used my 50amp cord connected to trailer then to surge protector. then with a 50-30 adapter and 30 amp down to 20amp for normal wall outlet.This was connected outside. When I went to disconnect the 50 end from trailer the cord was warm at the trailer were it connects. The end at the house was not warm. Is this normal? I used a vacume,ceiling fan and television inside the camper .. no air conditioner.
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Lost One
Salt Lake
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Look for a loose connection in the wiring on that end, if they are a molded end I would use a meter to test the voltage to look for drop, test at the house then test inside the trailer at the connector for a voltage drop with some items turned on to put a load on it. Testing the connections if they are loose without a load on it will not tell you anything, usually it wont break down until it has something running on it.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Lost One wrote:Look for a loose connection in the wiring on that end, if they are a molded end I would use a meter to test the voltage to look for drop, test at the house then test inside the trailer at the connector for a voltage drop with some items turned on to put a load on it. Testing the connections if they are loose without a load on it will not tell you anything, usually it wont break down until it has something running on it.
I agree, probably a loose connection on the trailer end of the 50 amp connector. That is about all it could be with so little a load.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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I also agree that it sounds like a connector, not the cable or load. If you have a thermal heat gun Like this you can check to see if the connection box in the RV is hot too. It's also a great tool to check circuit breakers for overheating, as well as your tires and brakes.
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et2
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Lost One wrote:Look for a loose connection in the wiring on that end, if they are a molded end I would use a meter to test the voltage to look for drop, test at the house then test inside the trailer at the connector for a voltage drop with some items turned on to put a load on it. Testing the connections if they are loose without a load on it will not tell you anything, usually it wont break down until it has something running on it.
The surge protector read 120 when connected to the house at the outside outlet .... zero errors. I thought it would cut off if there was a problem from the house. No error codes were seen. I have a meter on the wall outlet in the trailer as well which read normal.
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et2
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I just went out to the trailer in the drive. It is not plugged in now. I wanted see how easy it would be to get at the 50amp connection. It is attached to the rear of the fiberglass cap on back of trailer. I can't get to it under the trailer as the belly cap would need to be removed or cut. There are 4 screws attaching it to the cap on the back. If I remove them should I be able to pull the 50 connector out enough to look for anything loose?
Where would the connection box be inside the trailer? The converter - fuse and circuit breaker box is up towards the front of the trailer.The last time we used it there was a one breaker that tripped during the night. It did not stop all the power just to part of the trailer outlets. I thought maybe it was from my electric razor plugged into the charger ... it does not charge correctly if it is not sitting in the cradle just right.
I hate electrical problems.
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Lost One
Salt Lake
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Im still going with connection problems with something, you said it was the cord that was warm where it connects to the trailer correct? if so are the male ends that are hooked at the trailer corroded? if not then (obviously with it unplugged) check the female ends on the cord that connects at the trailer, either you have a loose connection in the wiring there or corroded ends would be my guess.
As voltage drops across a connection it raised the amperage and this is what is causing the heat to build up where the problem is. The more the load the faster it will heat up and the faster the connection will fail.
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et2
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Lost One wrote:Im still going with connection problems with something, you said it was the cord that was warm where it connects to the trailer correct? if so are the male ends that are hooked at the trailer corroded? if not then (obviously with it unplugged) check the female ends on the cord that connects at the trailer, either you have a loose connection in the wiring there or corroded ends would be my guess.
As voltage drops across a connection it raised the amperage and this is what is causing the heat to build up where the problem is. The more the load the faster it will heat up and the faster the connection will fail.
Correct,it was warm right were in went into the large female plug end which goes into the male 50amp connector on trailer.I felt about 7" lower on the cord and it was not warm there.The male ends did not look corroded. How would I check the female end? Are the easy to replace? Sorry so many questions, this stuff is greek to me.
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Lost One
Salt Lake
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If you can see down in the female end of the cord where it hooks to the trailer (again with it unplugged) look and see if anything looks deformed, usually there will be a pair of brass blades that seperate as the male end goes into the plug, if the ends arent touching or very close to touching they may be getting worn out and not making good contact with the male end and this will cause the problem. Also if they are corroded inside the female end you can TRY to clean them up but I would just replace the end.
If you have to replace the cord or cord end make sure you get some electical grease and put some of that on the ends this will help keep corrosion from starting and help the ends go together and twist easier, extending the life of the plugs and giving you a better connection.
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