30A Service Connector Not Passing Electric

[Cortland]

Hi all,

We are in a campground near Belfast, Maine and can’t get the 30A connector to pass electricity reliably. The campground has verified we have good source. The heavy duty yellow electric cord (provided by Escape) only works sometimes if you push it in to the male 3 prong outlet on outside of the trailer really hard. We bought 2 new cords and pushed in hard and tightened the plastic ring tightener real hard and they don’t pass electricity. I’m suspecting one of the three prongs in the 30A outlet on side of trailer has bad or loose wiring. I looked at it from inside under bench seat and it looks like a bear to take apart.
Anyone seen this problem ? I opened ticket with Escape.

Thx. Cortland

[MrLynn]

You didn't say whether you had tried the 30A outlet at a different campsite. I assume you did, but I wouldn't trust the first one just because someone said it was OK.

[Ron in BC]

From time-to-time there have been various similar issues.

Equivalent to giving something a good wack would be reaching in to the back of the incoming cord receptacle and giving it a good wiggle and jiggle. If you get bursts of power you've probably narrowed down the possibilities.

This is where a multi-meter set on audible ohms for checking continuity is handy. With one lead on an exterior pin and the other through the window to the incoming wires on the panel, each pin can be tested.

It wouldn't be the first time that a wire has loosened and made intermittent contact.

Good luck

Ron

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

but I wouldn't trust the first one just because someone said it was OK.

Good point, it's making assumptions that can derail trouble shooting.

Ron

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by Cortland

Hi all,

We are in a campground near Belfast, Maine and can’t get the 30A connector to pass electricity reliably. The campground has verified we have good source. The heavy duty yellow electric cord (provided by Escape) only works sometimes if you push it in to the male 3 prong outlet on outside of the trailer really hard. We bought 2 new cords and pushed in hard and tightened the plastic ring tightener real hard and they don’t pass electricity. I’m suspecting one of the three prongs in the 30A outlet on side of trailer has bad or loose wiring. I looked at it from inside under bench seat and it looks like a bear to take apart.
Anyone seen this problem ? I opened ticket with Escape.

Thx. Cortland

Hi Cortland! You say you push the cord in hard and tighten the retainer ring, but do not say you twist the cord “clockwise” 1/2” or so to lock it in prior to twisting the retaining ring. If you haven’t done so, this may be your problem. Good luck!

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Hi Cortland! You say you push the cord in hard and tighten the retainer ring, but do not say you twist the cord “clockwise” 1/2” or so to lock it in prior to twisting the retaining ring. If you haven’t done so, this may be your problem. Good luck!

Cortland, I'll chime in here to say "what Steve Clark said". That clockwise 1/2 inch twist is very important and has made the difference for me more than once - in our very own driveway. I hope Steve Clark's suggestion works for you. All the best.

John

[hugh]

I had the exact same issue. The Escape installer had not tightened the grub screws that connect the wire to the socket terminals. (must have been quitting time when they put it together)


If you've got the same socket as mine, it's quite easy to take apart. If I remember correctly, you can actually do it from the outside, by removing the 2-3 screws that are visible from the outside of the socket.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by hugh

The Escape installer had not tightened the grub screws that connect the wire to the socket terminals. (must have been quitting time when they put it together)

Not necessarily. It's not unusual for a stranded wire held in place with a grub screw to crush a little more over time and loosen.

That's why wire ferrules or tinned ends are sometimes used.

Ron

[hugh]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Not necessarily. It's not unusual for a stranded wire held in place with a grub screw to crush a little more over time and loosen.

That's why wire ferrules or tinned ends are sometimes used.

Ron

Ron, this is 10awg solid wire, not stranded. One of the grub screws had fallen out entirely, and the other two were backed out all the way and needed 5-10 turns to tighten on the wire.

[Cortland]

Thx Ron. First time I have heard the half turn right step. It’s still not connecting so I am going to try Hugh’s suggestion when we get back this evening. Lucky I have solar!

[Cortland]

Thx Hugh. I will try this when we get back this evening.

Cortland

[Cortland]

Ok - problem solved. Hugh wins the prize. I accessed the inside of the 30A outlet through the drivers side dinette seat and removed the plastic cage protecting the outlet (there was a plastic nut holding it on). Once I exposed the wires entering the outlet I saw a clamp down screw which holds the solid copper wire in place. That was extremely loose. I tightened it snug and reconnected power cable ( with the 1/2” twist …) and wa lah ….we have power. Thx all!

[SRS]

Excellent and congratulations.

[Steve Clark]

Yahoo!!

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Cortland

Ok - problem solved. Hugh wins the prize. I accessed the inside of the 30A outlet through the drivers side dinette seat and removed the plastic cage protecting the outlet (there was a plastic nut holding it on). Once I exposed the wires entering the outlet I saw a clamp down screw which holds the solid copper wire in place. That was extremely loose. I tightened it snug and reconnected power cable ( with the 1/2” twist …) and wa lah ….we have power. Thx all!

A number of folks have had the same problem. It is another item that should be checked once or twice per year. Loose connections cause heating, and can destroy the device.

[Ron in BC]

Ron

[hugh]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

A number of folks have had the same problem. It is another item that should be checked once or twice per year. Loose connections cause heating, and can destroy the device.

Sounds like people need to check it on their brand new trailers as well. 😉

[hugh]

Originally Posted by Cortland

Ok - problem solved. Hugh wins the prize. I accessed the inside of the 30A outlet through the drivers side dinette seat and removed the plastic cage protecting the outlet (there was a plastic nut holding it on). Once I exposed the wires entering the outlet I saw a clamp down screw which holds the solid copper wire in place. That was extremely loose. I tightened it snug and reconnected power cable ( with the 1/2” twist …) and wa lah ….we have power. Thx all!

Glad you figured it out!

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by Cortland

Ok - ( with the 1/2” twist …) and wa lah ….we have power. Thx all!

Think of it as a touch of lime in your gin and tonic!