Power

[davedru]

Got a quick question about hooking up to campground power... I have always dry camped, so never needed anything, but might be heading to a campground soon. I didn't get the removable power cord. What exactly do I need to plug in? Thanks from the virgin to hook ups -

[rbryan4]

Whether the cord is removable or not doesn't matter.

Just pull the cord out of the access cover (the round plastic one on the drivers side rear) and plug it in to the 30 amp campsite receptacle. It will only fit in a 30 amp receptacle, so you can't screw it up. I make sure the breaker on the campground post is off before inserting the plug, then once inserted, turn the breaker on.

If your trailer is equipped with the Progressive EMS (surge suppressor), be aware that it will take about a minute for the system to go through it's diagnostics and for power to flow.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

... If your trailer is equipped with the Progressive EMS (surge suppressor), be aware that it will take about a minute for the system to go through it's diagnostics and for power to flow.

When I hear the microwave clock chirp (reminder to set the time; it just chirps once), I know the power is flowing.

[davedru]

Thanks everyone- so no extension cords or adapters that I need to carry?

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by davedru

Thanks everyone- so no extension cords or adapters that I need to carry?

Not usually, as long as you park close enough to the power at the campsite and it's a genuine 30amp outlet. The only time I usually need my 30amp extension is when we have to face the opposite ( the wrong way ) direction to the power pole, or when we can't get close enough, like at a crowded festival or something. You should be good to go.

[float5]

Originally Posted by davedru

Thanks everyone- so no extension cords or adapters that I need to carry?

Escape was supplying one adaptor with new trailers and I think we have the other one. We always have both another 30-amp extension which has been used quite a few times by now and a second fresh water hose which we have needed once in a while.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by float5

Escape was supplying one adaptor with new trailers and I think we have the other one. We always have both another 30-amp extension which has been used quite a few times by now and a second fresh water hose which we have needed once in a while.

If you have a choice, purchase the "dog bone" version of either the 50 - 30 or 15 - 30 adapters (a short cord between the two connectors). Less prone to open grounds & other poor connections than the cube type.

[float5]

We have a dogbone for the 50/30 but don't know if we replaced the one that Escape provided which I do not think is that type.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

If your trailer is equipped with the Progressive EMS (surge suppressor), be aware that it will take about a minute for the system to go through it's diagnostics and for power to flow.

The factory default time delay is 15 seconds. This can be increased to 136 seconds by removing a jumper. This would only be done if someone had an A/C unit without its own time delay built in. This protects the compressor from rapid off/on cycles.

[cpaharley2008]

All of my EMS have taken anywhere from 1-2 minutes before activation, 15 seconds seems too short.

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

All of my EMS have taken anywhere from 1-2 minutes before activation, 15 seconds seems too short.

From the factory manual:

"Time Delay for A/C Compressor | If AC power is interrupted
or the EMS detects a fault condition, the built in time delay is
activated. There are two settings on the EMS: one is 136 seconds
(02:16), and the other is 15 seconds. Consult your air conditioner
manual to see if it has a time delay built in. If so, use the 15
second delay, if not, use the 136-seconds delay. The factory
setting is 15 seconds."

[cpaharley2008]

I guess Escape set's it to the longer setting? Do not know if our a/c model has time delay? Either way the longer delay will not hurt anything.

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I guess Escape set's it to the longer setting? Do not know if our a/c model has time delay? Either way the longer delay will not hurt anything.

I think the longer delay is the "safer" option, especially if shore power is bouncing on and off. It would give things more time to settle.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by thiggins

I think the longer delay is the "safer" option, especially if shore power is bouncing on and off. It would give things more times to settle.

That is what I was trying to convey, thanks.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I guess Escape set's it to the longer setting? Do not know if our a/c model has time delay? Either way the longer delay will not hurt anything.

We back into our campsites and Rita checks the levels, if we level up with minimal jockeying around and feel we are happy with the setup the first thing we do is plug into the electrical and wait the 2:16 for the EMS to make. On average, a couple times each year we have had to use a different outlet and an adapter. We have never found it necessary to change sites. When we have to level up with the Andersons, we go ahead and do that and then plug in. I suppose we could get “fooled” and have to find a different site and go through the level up process twice but haven’t yet. If we do, that’s camping, we’re still going to have a great time.
We carry two “ dogbone” adapters and a spare dropcord. For Christmas I’m going to ask Santa for an RV dropcord with the proper ends so I can reach a “ bush too far.” to get the 30 amp service if necessary instead of dropping down to the 20 and hooking up with an adapter. Some sites are a little tougher to get into and level up. YMMV.
Iowa Dave

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by thiggins

From the factory manual: "Time Delay for A/C Compressor | If AC power is interrupted or the EMS detects a fault condition, the built in time delay is activated. There are two settings on the EMS: one is 136 seconds (02:16), and the other is 15 seconds. Consult your air conditioner manual to see if it has a time delay built in. If so, use the 15 second delay, if not, use the 136-seconds delay. The factory setting is 15 seconds."

Darn those factory manuals! It's like, they know everything. They have taken the fun out of many a DIY adventure.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

We back into our campsites and Rita checks the levels, if we level up with minimal jockeying around and feel we are happy with the setup the first thing we do is plug into the electrical and wait the 2:16 for the EMS to make. On average, a couple times each year we have had to use a different outlet and an adapter. We have never found it necessary to change sites. When we have to level up with the Andersons, we go ahead and do that and then plug in. I suppose we could get “fooled” and have to find a different site and go through the level up process twice but haven’t yet. If we do, that’s camping, we’re still going to have a great time.
We carry two “ dogbone” adapters and a spare dropcord. For Christmas I’m going to ask Santa for an RV dropcord with the proper ends so I can reach a “ bush too far.” to get the 30 amp service if necessary instead of dropping down to the 20 and hooking up with an adapter. Some sites are a little tougher to get into and level up. YMMV.
Iowa Dave

Hi: Iowa Dave... Good idea to ask "Sanity clause" for more cord. The new modern Provincial parks in Ontario now place one "Currant bush" between two 1/2 acre sites... along the road way. The office has had so many requests they now have made up extensions... but take along some bug repellent for the trek!!! We managed to find one site with a "Currant bush" behind it but still needed the extra 30A. cord. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[thoer]

Alf, camping in Ontario Provincial Parks is what caused me to now own 2 -25' 30A extension cords. I had one 25' along and even it added to the pull out cord on our 17B wasn't enough to reach the post.

[emers382]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: Iowa Dave... Good idea to ask "Sanity clause" for more cord. The new modern Provincial parks in Ontario now place one "Currant bush" between two 1/2 acre sites... along the road way. The office has had so many requests they now have made up extensions... but take along some bug repellent for the trek!!! We managed to find one site with a "Currant bush" behind it but still needed the extra 30A. cord. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

We were at Kakabeka Falls PP for Thanksgiving Alf and it was my first experience with these "currant bushes" between sites at the road. Had to pull up toward front of site to reach even with my 30 amp extension. Apparently the office had extension cords for rent. Wow $123 for three nights and had trouble plugging in. Big difference to the $95 after exchange just paid for four nights at the Corps of Engineer park in AL for the March Green Eggs and Ham rally. If you're heading home from FL about then you should come there will be quite a few Escapes there

Adrian

[Eggscape]

Also having done Ontario parks this fall and finding the power posts at the road or mid way down the site between them...This was just mind blowing.
So if you are thinking of relocating the power cord or changing over to a plug in style, you should strongly consider locating it in the front corner of the trailer and not at the rear. This way if you have one 25 ft extension you have half a chance to make it to these new style power outlets. If the power outlet is located in the traditional location in a camp spot like it should be, the cord exiting the front corner will still work without an extension.
If you are having a 19 built you may want to see if they would put the cord up front ahead of the black water tank. That is where mine will eventually end up.
If I had not seen these new power outlets and read this post...I would think this to be a crazy idea.