electrical mistake!!!

ccl · 07-01-2016, 04:58 AM

I made a big mistake yesterday, I installed a 30 amp receptacle in my garage to power my camper, I made the mistake of wiring it for 220.after smelling some burning wires (small household fan that was plugged in) I immediately shut it down.
After investigating for damage I found the inverter breaker popped and it wont reset, I'm assuming it's fried...

My question is there anything else that I should check that may have been damaged, everything seems to be ok.

The only thing that were turned on at the time was the small fan and the ceiling fan (which is working fine)

**chuckster57** · 07-01-2016, 05:06 AM

Welcome to the forum

Hopefully the only casualty was the converter. Replace it, wire the plug for 110 and then try everything in the trailer while plugged in. I have seen this before and sometimes doing what you did will take out other 110V appliances.

roadglide · 07-01-2016, 07:09 AM

I had a friend help me wire my receptacle for 50 amp . I didn't like because there was only 3 wires going to a 30 amp plug with a 50 amp breaker. I removed the 50 and put a 30 amp breaker with black to braker and white to common and green to ground. One poll breaker, this is what I used instead of my friend who said he knew how do it. http://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf

Desert185 · 07-01-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Welcome to the forum

Hopefully the only casualty was the converter. Replace it, wire the plug for 110 and then try everything in the trailer while plugged in. I have seen this before and sometimes doing what you did will take out other 110V appliances.

I'm guessing that using an adequate surge protector would have prevented this damage to the converter. Yes?

ccl · 07-01-2016, 08:10 AM

where would I install the surge protector?

ccl · 07-01-2016, 08:14 AM

I took the inverter out, should I just replace it with the same thing. its a 950 watts. should I stay with the same unit "DSL-55" or do you recommend upgrading to something else.

**chuckster57** · 07-01-2016, 09:14 AM

So we are on the same page:

CONverter: takes the 110VAC shore power and converts it to the 12VDC needed to operate all the 12VDC stuff in the trailer and charge the battery(s).

INverter: takes 12VDC and makes 110VAC for the 110 appliances. It will NOT run the A/C but if it's big enough it will operate the microwave.

Surge protector: installed between the shore power source and the Breaker panel. Two flavors: one that plugs into the pedestal and trailer plugs into it or hard wired in the trailer between the breakers and the shore cord.

I would probably replace the converter with the same thing. My preference would be a hard wired surge with remote panel, but you have to consider your budget.

Would it have prevented the issue: probably.

ccl · 07-01-2016, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

So we are on the same page:

CONverter: takes the 110VAC shore power and converts it to the 12VDC needed to operate all the 12VDC stuff in the trailer and charge the battery(s).

INverter: takes 12VDC and makes 110VAC for the 110 appliances. It will NOT run the A/C but if it's big enough it will operate the microwave.

Surge protector: installed between the shore power source and the Breaker panel. Two flavors: one that plugs into the pedestal and trailer plugs into it or hard wired in the trailer between the breakers and the shore cord.

I would probably replace the converter with the same thing. My preference would be a hard wired surge with remote panel, but you have to consider your budget.

Would it have prevented the issue: probably.

Thank you for the info.
It is the converter...

Desert185 · 07-01-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccl

where would I install the surge protector?

This is the one I have. There are other versions available. If you only have a 30a trailer, you could still purchase a 50a version using plug adapters in the event you someday buy another trailer that is 50a capable. I prefer the portable version primarily for this reason and also for having an easy look at the batteries charging status. Also, if you're having an issue with a power pedestal at a park, you could check others before moving your rig. A negative: It could be easily stolen, but then life is a continuing compromise.

The ~$300 price can be cheap insurance when protecting the various electrical items in your trailer.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...e2QBoCcILw_wcB

Outback 325BH · 07-03-2016, 05:43 AM

If you did what you said you did, you had 240 volts across the camper's hot and neutral conductors. Everything connected to the bus, who's breakers were on/closed, are at risk. Any appliance (microwave, a/c, fridge, etc.) that was connected is potentially fried. I would check things thoroughly.

Wiring isn't that complicated, however it is not forgiving if you do it wrong.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mr30RLI · 07-03-2016, 06:19 AM

CCL

Like Outback I went with a portable. Two reasons, 1) I would have never gotten something the size of these things mounted near my breaker box or connection point, 2) portability unit to unit and to checkout sketchy power poles before backing in.

I carry a bike cable and 2 pad locks for when I feel the need to lock it up.

Good luck on the cleanup hope it's not to bad.

This is the one I have

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...otection/56422

bsmith0404 · 07-03-2016, 06:49 AM

I went with the wired in unit. Always there and working, never have to think about it and I don't have worry about a $300 surge protector walking away. I have a kitchen peninsula that houses my breaker box and converter. There was a lot of room in there to mount it and made wiring the surge protector very easy.

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