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06-30-2020, 01:35 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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Open Ground
Hello All,
When I was leaving the campground at our seasonal site on Sunday our Progressive Surge protector was showing that there was an open ground. The trailer still had power and everything was operating normal. I informed the owner and he had his electrician come out today and stated the pole is fine and is grounded correctly. He told him there is nothing to worry about. Do I assume the surge protector is bad or could it be the cord on the trailer. It does not show any signs of wear and looks fine. I have attached a photo of the pedestal wiring that the owner sent me. I am not good with the electrical stuff and just wanted to get some advice here.
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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06-30-2020, 03:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,222
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Just because the ground wire is connected to the receptacle does not mean it is connected at the point of origin. Is your surge protector hard wired inside your Passport? Are you comfortable using a volt ohm meter?
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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06-30-2020, 04:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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No it is a portable unit that plugs into the pedestal. I am assuming by OHM tool you mean this. 
I would have no idea though what I would be looking for or how to use it properly.
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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06-30-2020, 04:44 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrottop
No it is a portable unit that plugs into the pedestal. I am assuming by OHM tool you mean this. Attachment 28377
I would have no idea though what I would be looking for or how to use it properly. |
Carrottop, yes, that is an "ohm" tool, better known as a VOM or multimeter. Many decades ago we just called it a "meter" or "Simpson" since that is the brand we generally carried.
I would encourage you to take the time to work with it and learn it. A VOM is as handy and useful as the pocket on a shirt or one of my Leathermen. I would never trade what I've learned from a VOM.
That said, just because the "ground" wire is tied down at the ped means absolutely nothing. It has to connect to something, somewhere, to make it a ground. That happens many times in a campground and the "electrician" that came by only gave it a cursory glance and said it looked good....bad on him. Then again, it might be like the "electricians" I've seen used in several parks; the handyman in the park that bakes donuts in the morning.
When you mention "surge protector" is your Progressive a "surge" protector or "EMS"? I think there was a post about one the other day that just showed lights to alert to a fault but did nothing. If so, you may want to look into the EMS.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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06-30-2020, 05:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,222
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Exactly the same meter I have. Set it on the OHM scale. Touch your two leads together and you should read " 0" on the meter. Then, see if the green wire (ground) on the 30 amp receptacle measures "0" between it and the one on the 20 amp. If it does not then the open is between the point of origin and the receptacle. You can check the cord by metering between the ground lead on the plug and same lead on the other end of the cable but I'm pretty sure your cord is OK. Let us know what you find out.
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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06-30-2020, 05:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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Just so I understand I put I lead on the 30amp green wire and the other on the regular receptacles green wire and I should get 0. Is there any chance the surge protector is bad?
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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06-30-2020, 05:39 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,739
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Do yourself and possibly your family a favor and do not use that meter or do any electrical diagnosing or work until you get some training. It can kill you.
I'd suggest you get a 30 to 15 Amp dogbone and a plug in outlet tester. It won't cost that much (less than burning up the meter) and you will have it in your toolbox for the future.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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06-30-2020, 05:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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I have a 30 to 15 amp dog bone. I have an outlet tester as well. I will start there and see what it tells me. Is it possible the surge protector is bad?
__________________
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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06-30-2020, 05:54 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,313
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrottop
I have a 30 to 15 amp dog bone. I have an outlet tester as well. I will start there and see what it tells me. Is it possible the surge protector is bad?
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Possible. In any case I would toss it and get an EMS. Portable or hard wired, your choice. I’m not convinced the pedestal is OK.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-30-2020, 05:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Trinidad,TX
Posts: 973
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Yes, it is possible the surge suppressor is bad, but I suspect a loose ground wire somewhere.
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Woody
Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Laredo 290 SRL
2019 Ram 2500, 4x4, Cummins diesel
Andersen hitch
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06-30-2020, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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I will try the dog bone down to a 15 amp with the outlet tester this weekend when I get back to the trailer. Thanks everyone for the advice.
__________________
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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06-30-2020, 06:33 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,222
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I believe that a basic surge protector is just a circuit tester with built in surge protection.
Open ground, open neutral, reverse polarity etc. I also believe in erring on the side of safety. If not comfortable doing a continuity test with the meter then you should get someone with experience to help/show you how to safely use the meter. That meter is well insulated and fuse protected and not likely to cause any problems if incorrectly connected.
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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07-02-2020, 05:35 AM
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#13
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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There lots of YouTube videos for learnin'.
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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07-02-2020, 07:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrottop
I will try the dog bone down to a 15 amp with the outlet tester this weekend when I get back to the trailer. Thanks everyone for the advice.
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... 
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07-03-2020, 06:59 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,974
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill-2020
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Bill,
He posted the comment on 6/30 (Tues) that he would "try the adapter this weekend" when he goes back to the trailer. It's Friday, so if he has today off, he's just now leaving to go to the trailer....
Patience young grasshopper 
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-03-2020, 07:21 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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Still at work today. I will be heading out tonight to the trailer. Not sure it will be so entertaining that you need popcorn but heh to each their own. I will update on what I find.
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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07-03-2020, 04:35 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Bill,
He posted the comment on 6/30 (Tues) that he would "try the adapter this weekend" when he goes back to the trailer. It's Friday, so if he has today off, he's just now leaving to go to the trailer....
Patience young grasshopper |
Oh, that wasn’t meant as impatient, rather I’m very interested to hear the rest of the details. I have plenty of popcorn (and drink).
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07-03-2020, 04:47 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Bill,
Patience young grasshopper |
And while we (I) wait and I’m reading to my 6 year old granddaughter, she asked why you called me a young grasshopper. 
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07-03-2020, 06:51 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 329
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Well the pedestal reads normal with the dogbone down to a 15 with the outlet checker. I used it in all the outlets in the trailer and they all read normal. I am thinking it must be the surge protector that is bad. Or just the little blue light burnt out.
__________________
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John & Ekeen
2009 Ford F-150 5.4
2015 Nissan Armada 5.6
2021 Keystone Residence 40FLFT
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07-04-2020, 02:54 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,085
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Are there other unused pedestals close that you could quickly test to determine if it’s your equipment or not?
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