Pedestal Power

[RangerMan]

One of the family had my old (02) Holiday rambler out and about staying at COE sites. The power failed and he fired up the generator.

He asked a question I had never thought about. How do you know when the power comes back on without constant checking at the pedestal?

Only thing I could come up with was plug a drop light or something similar into the pedestal and hang it where you could easily see it from inside.

Anyone got better ideas?

Edit: I ain't gonna do no hardware stuff. Xfer switches and the like.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

Only thing I could come up with was plug a drop light or something similar into the pedestal and hang it where you could easily see it from inside.
.....

I ain't gonna do no hardware stuff. Xfer switches and the like.

Agree that the former is likely the most practical KISS 'pedestal status indicator'.

Also agree that the latter would expensive and somewhat complex overkill if this relatively rare situation is the only time one would 'toggle' between shore / portable generator power. Particularly given that an 'automated' transfer between shore power and portable generator power would require

• two external power plugs so both could be concurrently connected to an in-trailer auto-transfer switch and
• an electric-start genny with remote turn-on/off capability if one wanted truly automated either/or switching

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Centex

Agree that the former is likely the most practical KISS 'pedestal status indicator'.

Also agree that the latter would expensive and somewhat complex overkill if this relatively rare situation is the only time one would 'toggle' between shore / portable generator power. Particularly given that an 'automated' transfer between shore power and portable generator power would require

• two external power plugs so both could be concurrently connected to an in-trailer auto-transfer switch and
• an electric-start genny with remote turn-on/off capability if one wanted truly automated either/or switching

I would run a drop cord with lighted ends from the 20 amp service over to the trailer and either use masking tape to secure the end by a window or hang it over the rock guard on the front trailer window where i could see it from anyplace in the trailer and not have to look for the tape. Several times I’ve plugged the trailer into the 30 amp and then run a 12/3 drop cord off the 20 amp over to the picnic table to run the toaster oven to make a little pizza. Sometimes a tent camper will ask you if he can charge his phone at your pedestal or use a fan on a hot night or a hairdryer after a rain. These have all happened to us and it’s a nice way to meet people.
Iowa Dave