wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Ok, Anyone for Power Master?
(NOTE: IF I knew than what I know now I might have chosen that one)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Denny & Jami
Home Base Nebraska
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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PapPappy wrote:We were at the CG last month, and when I checked the voltage at their connection, I had 125 VAC. I plugged in, and all was pretty much OK, until we had the A/C running. Then, the voltage dropped to about 105-108 VAC at the meter we have in an outlet inside.
A/C seems to be working fine, and I don't have this problem with the genset. I'm sure it's a CG problem. I also notice that the shore cable is getting rather warm at the plug. Would a bad plug cause the voltage drop with a load?
What do you do, when the voltage is a bit lower than you'd like. I know we could (and probably should) cut off the A/C, but my wife has Asthma/COPD, and we can't really just open the windows. I hate to run the genset, and disturb others (though this particular place was about empty).
We liked the site, and while we could probably have moved, I really wonder if there would have been a difference at another site?
Thanks for any help.... 
You answered your own question to a point (the shore cable was getting warm). Check the end of your cable and it appears that it's hasn't been overheated the 30 amp rec was bad or had a bad connection inside the pedestal. A Voltage drop like that is caused buy a bad connection somewhere or undersized wiring feeding the pedestal. If you have a bad cord end please change it because it will ruin the next rec you plug into, it spreads like a virus.
Your A/c will run just fine on 108 volts without any harm to the compressor or blower motor. Everyone I have ever seen had a minimum voltage in the 100 volt range.
Denny
2000 F350 SC DRW V10 4.30 gears, Banks Cat Back, BrakeSmart, Air Lifts
2003 HitchHiker Premier 35FKTG
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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wa8yxm wrote:
Ok, Anyone for Power Master?
(NOTE: IF I knew than what I know now I might have chosen that one)
If spending money today I would buy either the new Hughes with three levels of boost up to 15% or possibly the Power Master.
Initially I bought Franks because it has available voltage shut off for too high or too low to boost. The trouble is there is no delay in the turn on so under the right conditions of voltage and power draw it can turn off and on in rapid succession. It has not relly been an issue but is possible. I also bought Franks because it had at the time more boost (16% vs 10%) and I could pick it up locally.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
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12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
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bill h
el segundo
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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I keep the plug shiny, use a flex stone on the receptacle to assure a good connection.
If voltage is still low, I use a Variac.
Bill and Susan
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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bill h wrote:I keep the plug shiny, use a flex stone on the receptacle to assure a good connection.
If voltage is still low, I use a Variac.
Explain more your use of a flex stone on the receptacle???? Where do you get this flex stone?
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
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bill h
el segundo
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hershey wrote:bill h wrote:I keep the plug shiny, use a flex stone on the receptacle to assure a good connection.
If voltage is still low, I use a Variac.
Explain more your use of a flex stone on the receptacle???? Where do you get this flex stone?
A flex stone is a little strip of stone particles bonded together in the shape of what used to be called a points file. It used to be used for dressing contact points in distributors, regulators and relays. They were preferred because they did not remove as much material as a point file, and important consideration in relays that use silver contacts. I have mine mounted in a slit cut in the end of a wood dowel, which serves as an insulator as well as a handle. I just stick it in and out of each slot a couple of times to remove any arcing or oxidation. The stone needs to be about the same thickness as your plug prongs, so you might have to double up, depending on the stone you fine. I haven't bought one in a very long time, but I would try a real auto parts store or auto electrical parts house.
They will improve many receptacles, but not all. Some will have insufficient spring tension, and many will be burned and pitted by campers plugging in and unplugging with a load applied. Very few campers open the breakers before connecting or disconnecting. Once the connection is marginalized, each subsequent use causes more heat and more damage. When using a heavy load, I turn off the breakers, remove the plug and feel its prong temperature. If it is warm, I tell the camp operator that he has a marginal receptacle. Most will prefer to wait until something burns up, though.
This may all sound fussy, but poor contacts generate heat, which diminishes the current carrying ability of the connection, which lowers voltage when a load is applied.
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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I used to keep a volt meter plugged i inside thr fiver to keep track of park voltage. This summer, while at our home park I noticed the voltage had dropped to 90 something! I called the park maintenance nd they came and checked the power at te pedestal - AOK. They then put their meter inside my rig - AOK! That electrician told me to never keep my meter plugged in all the time - it buils heat and becomes unrekliable. Sure enough - after I had let my meter cool down for about 30 minutes and then put it into the same oulet - AOK!
Just a cautionary note - do not leave your meter plugged in. Just test the circuits periodically - unless you have a hig-end meter!
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2001 Silverado 2500HD shortbed
wonderful lifetime travelling companion/spouse
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I have a couple of power tools that do a good job on tarnished pins.. (Wire brush head on a "Dremel" type tool) Shine 'em right up
Bought my first Dremel (Genuine article) 30 years ago.. Alas, it died about five ago. Have a new Dremel, and a couple of imitations.
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thgoodman
Emery, SD
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Joined: 06/26/2006
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uuumm.... Why isn't anyone talking about LEAVING the park? If I'm paying for FULL hookups (maybe even a premium for 50 amps), I EXPECT full hookups including at least the 110v minimum they should be providing.
The park is ripping you off!
Maybe I'm missing something. I there some reason you CAN'T leave the park that is not providing the services you are paying for?
Tom & Jan
Fulltimers since April '06 with 3 fur kids (George - mini Aussie, Archie - mini Poodle, Kitty - 20 yo blind cat)
1991 Beaver Contessa towing 2006 Subaru (4 down)
Started workamping Sept '07 - This isn't too bad. Think we'll do it some more.
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w6pea
San Diego, Mexifornia
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Joined: 09/08/2006
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I agree witj thgoodman.....but I have one question; would a bore cleaner work from a pistol cleaning kit?
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