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01-28-2020, 01:28 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: McLeansville
Posts: 10
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Surge protector open ground
When cord is plugged into shore power surge protector shows all 4 green lights but as soon as we connect to rv surge protector registers an open ground. What do we check?
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01-28-2020, 01:31 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Welcome to the forum.
A little more information might help get you more answers with less questions. 50 amp? or 30 amp? What model; trailer, what brand/model surge protector? Connected to park pedestal or generator?
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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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01-28-2020, 01:54 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: McLeansville
Posts: 10
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We have a 2018 Keystone Sprinter 5th wheel. Its a 50 amp unit --we are plugged into our home with an adapter. The cord, adapter & surge protector came with the camper so I assume it is about 2 years old also.
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01-28-2020, 02:38 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Are you plugged into a standard 15/20 amp
Outlet?
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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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01-28-2020, 02:44 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Do you have a volt ohm meter (VOM) ? Do you have any experience with electricity?
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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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01-28-2020, 04:09 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: McLeansville
Posts: 10
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Yes we're plugged into a regular outlet. And no unfortunately no electrical experience.
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01-28-2020, 04:38 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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I would agree; more info. What kind of surge protector/model? Is there one or 2? Plugged into a regular 120vac outlet; what kind of adapters are you using? From reading I'm not sure exactly what is telling you an open ground or where in the circuit.
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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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01-28-2020, 05:14 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: McLeansville
Posts: 10
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I apologize for not providing enough info, this is all new to me. The surge protector is a Sure Guard 44270 surge. We have the RV cord plugged into the surge protector, then the surge protector plugged into an adapter that converts 50 amp to 30 amp (this is a large heavy yellow adapter with a cord about 6 inches long--the ends are yellow with large clunky handles), then a small round adapter on the end to fit a regular grounded household outlet. I wish I could get my pictures uploaded but am having technical difficulties.
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01-28-2020, 05:21 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Has this setup worked in the past? Have tried plugging anything else into the outlet, maybe a light or radio or drill?
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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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01-28-2020, 06:30 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
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First off, to me, I would upgrade the "surge protector" to a real EMS system that does much more than a simple surge protector. Yours does give indications of faults but doesn't actually protect you in many situations.
With a VOM you could run that ground and see where you are losing it - or maybe you aren't at all and it is something faulty in the way it is connected. Is your power still functional when it tells you there is an open ground?
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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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01-28-2020, 08:13 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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If you are using the the little hockey puck looking adapter with the 50 to 30 dogbone adapter that's most likely the issue. Take that puck off & throw it as far as possible, they are known to be a problem due the heat, & replace with another dogbone type to go 30 to 15 that mat cure your problem.
Also agree, get the EMS.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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01-28-2020, 08:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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It sounds like your outlet is wired with an open ground, which is common in older houses. It only presented as an issue when you use the surge protector because the surge protector is protecting the trailer against the open ground.
I bet if you tested your outlet, it would show open ground.
You can easily test it with a simple outlet tester, which has lights to indicate how the outlet is wired.
Here is a link. You can also pick one up at any hardware store.
https://www.amazon.com/Receptacle-Te.../dp/B01AKX8L0M
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Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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01-28-2020, 08:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,907
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Do not delay fixing this problem because your rig powered up without a proper ground can be deadly. You can have a 'hot skin' condition that is very dangerous or can at least cause a severe shock when touching a metal part of the rig. We have a hardwired 50 amp EMS, and a couple years ago plugged in to a pedestal in an RV park and the EMS would not turn power on due to a missing ground. After much investigation including the park maintenance man opening up the pedestal, I discovered the ground prong on the 50 amp shore cord had broken inside the molded plug and was not making contact. I was able to purchase a new plug, installed it and that solved the problem. All this to say, the problem can be at any of the connections, in the outlet you are connected to, or even in the surge protector.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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01-29-2020, 04:18 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: McLeansville
Posts: 10
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Wow! thank you for all the advice. We will check out the outlet and purchase the EMS and 30 to 15 dog bone. I appreciate everyone's input!
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01-29-2020, 06:59 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,447
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You might want to check the home electrical outlet to see if it is the cause of your open ground. The outlet may not be properly connected to ground which is a safety feature intended to allow an alternate ground path if the neutral ground (white wire inside the box) is not connected. The ground inside the box will be green. Even though the electrical outlet seems to have the green wire hooked up, it may not be connected to anything. When you are at Home Depot, get an outlet tester and see this short video:
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wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
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01-29-2020, 11:18 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,304
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge
When you are at Home Depot, get an outlet tester
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For an extra buck, you may as well look for the ones with the red button on them that tests GFI function. Harbor Freight's are running $6.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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01-29-2020, 11:29 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven
For an extra buck, you may as well look for the ones with the red button on them that tests GFI function. Harbor Freight's are running $6.
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Here's the link to HF site that LHaven's talking about.
https://www.harborfreight.com/electr...sis-63929.html
Be aware the the GFI for that outlet could be on a different outlet (daisy chained from an outlet inside) or can be a GFI breaker in the distribution panel.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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