I look forward to the notification when the video is available to all parks and CGs. We camp host at the same State Park in MO and I will forward that info to them when available. You can never have too much training when it comes to electricity and guns. We camp hosted at an Arizona SP a couple of years ago and due to the extreme temps there in the the summer we had some 30amp receptacles that were beyond using they had been so overworked. From a complaint I found this out when his 30amp plug would just fall out. Zero tension on the blades and melting around the opening. Ended up replacing 9 receptacles and cutting off about 3" of cooked wiring. Luckily they had left enough wire to accommodate this. It's very amazing how hot those connections get when running a/cs and more at max 24/7. I also found several were installed upside down which didn't help the problem for tight fit with heavy cords.
We rented a RV site in a retirement community and when I looked to plug into the pedestal, I noticed the face plate ajar finding no wire going to the 30A outlet. Inside were the wrong breakers as well. Licensed in another state, after powering the needed outlet on a temporary basis, I went shopping the next day and completely rewired the pedestal with all the correct breakers. I always bring my tools when I travel but it cost about $25.00 to make the corrections... only $25.00. I later contacted the landlord expecting only the $25.00 but was given more in financial compensation and grace than I would've gotten if it was a real service call.
I’ve seen that a number of times. While not immediately dangerous since a simple hot-neutral reversal won’t cause a hot-skin voltage, it’s very dangerous to anyone working on a live panel since they may assume that the neutral wire are not “hot” and could be shocked.
I would love to get a video like this. A the supervisor at a large RV resort in Az, I see many of the issues mentioned. Plus any campground that is over 25 year old has pedestals that are approaching the “end of life” condition. And new RV’s and park models require more power than these older pedestals were not designed to handle, so what we see is split / quad breakers being used to supply power. Many of these ‘mods’ are questionable. We are updating, but in a large park, this takes time so we will continue to make repairs as needed, and with certified electricians doing the repairs. So as I noted a video like this would be a great help for diagnosing problems. Thanks Mike!
Is your resort part of a statewide or regional campground owners group? For example, many of the campgrounds in Pennsylvania are members of PRVCA (Hershey RV Show) so my initial video distribution will be to PRVCA campground members.
Campgrounds will “get religion” when one of 2 things happen:
1. Annual electrical inspections are mandated by the government - with the penalty for bad wiring being to be shut down completely until ALL problems are corrected.
…OR…
2. Their insurance carrier refuses to renew their liability insurance until a full electrical inspection (and correction where needed) is accomplished.
Mike, I am currently on a seasonal site. Would the pedestal maintenance video be available for someone like me to purchase? Nobody really does electrical maintenance here unless there is an issue.
I look forward to the notification when the video is available to all parks and CGs. We camp host at the same State Park in MO and I will forward that info to them when available. You can never have too much training when it comes to electricity and guns. We camp hosted at an Arizona SP a couple of years ago and due to the extreme temps there in the the summer we had some 30amp receptacles that were beyond using they had been so overworked. From a complaint I found this out when his 30amp plug would just fall out. Zero tension on the blades and melting around the opening. Ended up replacing 9 receptacles and cutting off about 3" of cooked wiring. Luckily they had left enough wire to accommodate this. It's very amazing how hot those connections get when running a/cs and more at max 24/7. I also found several were installed upside down which didn't help the problem for tight fit with heavy cords.
We rented a RV site in a retirement community and when I looked to plug into the pedestal, I noticed the face plate ajar finding no wire going to the 30A outlet. Inside were the wrong breakers as well. Licensed in another state, after powering the needed outlet on a temporary basis, I went shopping the next day and completely rewired the pedestal with all the correct breakers. I always bring my tools when I travel but it cost about $25.00 to make the corrections... only $25.00. I later contacted the landlord expecting only the $25.00 but was given more in financial compensation and grace than I would've gotten if it was a real service call.
New? Miswired? I bought a new 50-30-20 RV box at a big box store and the 30 amp outlet had the neutral and hot crossed from the factory.
I’ve seen that a number of times. While not immediately dangerous since a simple hot-neutral reversal won’t cause a hot-skin voltage, it’s very dangerous to anyone working on a live panel since they may assume that the neutral wire are not “hot” and could be shocked.
What brand and model was the RV box?
I would love to get a video like this. A the supervisor at a large RV resort in Az, I see many of the issues mentioned. Plus any campground that is over 25 year old has pedestals that are approaching the “end of life” condition. And new RV’s and park models require more power than these older pedestals were not designed to handle, so what we see is split / quad breakers being used to supply power. Many of these ‘mods’ are questionable. We are updating, but in a large park, this takes time so we will continue to make repairs as needed, and with certified electricians doing the repairs. So as I noted a video like this would be a great help for diagnosing problems. Thanks Mike!
Is your resort part of a statewide or regional campground owners group? For example, many of the campgrounds in Pennsylvania are members of PRVCA (Hershey RV Show) so my initial video distribution will be to PRVCA campground members.
Water line running through a pedestal!!! Criminal.
Excellent idea, long overdue
Campgrounds will “get religion” when one of 2 things happen:
1. Annual electrical inspections are mandated by the government - with the penalty for bad wiring being to be shut down completely until ALL problems are corrected.
…OR…
2. Their insurance carrier refuses to renew their liability insurance until a full electrical inspection (and correction where needed) is accomplished.
Money talks.
Mike, I am currently on a seasonal site. Would the pedestal maintenance video be available for someone like me to purchase? Nobody really does electrical maintenance here unless there is an issue.
I have to work out distribution details first, but I think so…
👍