On a recent camping trip, our EMS detected voltages below 104, and shut our electricity off. The temperature was in the high 90’s, so we were out of luck. Is the damage that could occur gradual, in that we could use our air conditioner for a short time, or is it damaging right away?
The voltage readings that are being reported in this article are quite different from my experience in campgrounds. We use an EMS-PT30C EMS when we connect to shore power at a campground. This device disconnects power to our RV in the event that the input voltage at the pedestal) to the EMS-PT30C drops below 104 AC. Under this condition, the EMS-PT30C also displays an error code indicating that the input voltage dropped to below 104 VAC. We have never experienced a low voltage event at a campground. The voltage at the campgrounds we frequent, most Corps of Engineers and state parks, are typically on the high side of nominal, above 120 VAC, sometimes near the upper limit allowed by most public service commissions of 126 VA , is more typical. (I am an E.E. and previously worked in the electric utility industry.) Over the past 8 years, our EMS-PT30C (currently available model is EMS-PT30X) has identified several wiring errors at campground pedestals. I highly recommend the use of an EMS device, such as the EMS-PT30X, to prevent damage and dangerous conditions associated with the use of electricity from campground pedestals.
Once plugged into a pedestal at a CG in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and right away my Surge Guard was showing about 110 volts. after I turned on the hot water heater and an air conditioner the voltage went below 105 volts and kicked us off. I talked to the owner who said he was a master electrician, he acknowledged that he had issues and moved us to a newly installed pedestal with new wiring and brand new load center and transformer. Shortly after I saw what looked like a brand new Airstream in the same spot without any type of electrical protection.
Mike, I would be very interested in the brand of high-efficiency air conditioner you are testing.
I do understand about cost. With my previous job in commercial HVAC we offered energy management. And our site we go back to to see the grans we pay for electricity. I have paid as much as 300.00 a month in summer and winter when I had cheap heat for power. So CGs making you pay for it is more than expected and understandable. When you think about why the site costs so much that could be a good reason why.
More efficient ac and heaters I’ve often wondered why the rv has kept up with what’s available in the market. I am looking forward to your findings on your test!!
We have been wintering in Florida for the last 6 years. The parks we stayed at the first two years included the electric usage in the monthly rent. The past four years we have paid for the electric usage being metered along with the monthly space rent.
We have a fave CG here in northern NV that's been around for decades. It's all dirt but every site is pretty much level and there are tree for shade. However, the past ten years or so have really put a strain on the power. The owner has had electricians in more than once to try to mitigate the problem but the problem isn't his pedestals. It's the ancient transformers in this rural county. He's gone to the state to see about them upgrading the whole electrical grid in his area. Years went by with the state 'promising' to fix the problem - and doing nothing. Finally, about a year or so ago the state upgraded the aging area grid and he now has good power coming into the CG. But, with the tri-conditioner motor homes (and even the spread of dual ac's) he's STILL running into problems. And his biggest concern now is EV toads. There just isn't enough power to go around!. And this is NOT a big 'resort' style CG. It's a nice small pleasant place to stay, especially if you're an off-road enthusiast. There are literally hundreds of miles of trails and roads leading out of the area. The well known "Vegas to Reno" off-road race passes right through the area. I feel his pain . . .
I signed a very comprehensive NDA about my testing, but I should be able to release some general information soon.
On a recent camping trip, our EMS detected voltages below 104, and shut our electricity off. The temperature was in the high 90’s, so we were out of luck. Is the damage that could occur gradual, in that we could use our air conditioner for a short time, or is it damaging right away?
The voltage readings that are being reported in this article are quite different from my experience in campgrounds. We use an EMS-PT30C EMS when we connect to shore power at a campground. This device disconnects power to our RV in the event that the input voltage at the pedestal) to the EMS-PT30C drops below 104 AC. Under this condition, the EMS-PT30C also displays an error code indicating that the input voltage dropped to below 104 VAC. We have never experienced a low voltage event at a campground. The voltage at the campgrounds we frequent, most Corps of Engineers and state parks, are typically on the high side of nominal, above 120 VAC, sometimes near the upper limit allowed by most public service commissions of 126 VA , is more typical. (I am an E.E. and previously worked in the electric utility industry.) Over the past 8 years, our EMS-PT30C (currently available model is EMS-PT30X) has identified several wiring errors at campground pedestals. I highly recommend the use of an EMS device, such as the EMS-PT30X, to prevent damage and dangerous conditions associated with the use of electricity from campground pedestals.
Once plugged into a pedestal at a CG in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and right away my Surge Guard was showing about 110 volts. after I turned on the hot water heater and an air conditioner the voltage went below 105 volts and kicked us off. I talked to the owner who said he was a master electrician, he acknowledged that he had issues and moved us to a newly installed pedestal with new wiring and brand new load center and transformer. Shortly after I saw what looked like a brand new Airstream in the same spot without any type of electrical protection.
Mike, I would be very interested in the brand of high-efficiency air conditioner you are testing.
I do understand about cost. With my previous job in commercial HVAC we offered energy management. And our site we go back to to see the grans we pay for electricity. I have paid as much as 300.00 a month in summer and winter when I had cheap heat for power. So CGs making you pay for it is more than expected and understandable. When you think about why the site costs so much that could be a good reason why.
More efficient ac and heaters I’ve often wondered why the rv has kept up with what’s available in the market. I am looking forward to your findings on your test!!
Hello Mike,
We have been wintering in Florida for the last 6 years. The parks we stayed at the first two years included the electric usage in the monthly rent. The past four years we have paid for the electric usage being metered along with the monthly space rent.
We have a fave CG here in northern NV that's been around for decades. It's all dirt but every site is pretty much level and there are tree for shade. However, the past ten years or so have really put a strain on the power. The owner has had electricians in more than once to try to mitigate the problem but the problem isn't his pedestals. It's the ancient transformers in this rural county. He's gone to the state to see about them upgrading the whole electrical grid in his area. Years went by with the state 'promising' to fix the problem - and doing nothing. Finally, about a year or so ago the state upgraded the aging area grid and he now has good power coming into the CG. But, with the tri-conditioner motor homes (and even the spread of dual ac's) he's STILL running into problems. And his biggest concern now is EV toads. There just isn't enough power to go around!. And this is NOT a big 'resort' style CG. It's a nice small pleasant place to stay, especially if you're an off-road enthusiast. There are literally hundreds of miles of trails and roads leading out of the area. The well known "Vegas to Reno" off-road race passes right through the area. I feel his pain . . .