Power Cord Failure

W

wmcgaughey

New Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2023
Messages
7
Location
Louisiana
We have been at this site over a month, have had no power issues. Tonight smelled something very hot, main 50 amp breaker popped, walking to the breaker panel, smelled something hot, touched the power cord plug at the side of the trailer, it was very hot, turned breaker off, went to power cord, unscrewed the keeper ring and attempted to pull the plug out of the socked in the side of the trailer. It finally came out, burnt up image0.jpegimage1.jpeg

Any thoughts?
 
wmcgaughey said:
We have been at this site over a month, have had no power issues. Tonight smelled something very hot, main 50 amp breaker popped, walking to the breaker panel, smelled something hot, touched the power cord plug at the side of the trailer, it was very hot, turned breaker off, went to power cord, unscrewed the keeper ring and attempted to pull the plug out of the socked in the side of the trailer. It finally came out, burnt upView attachment 51653View attachment 51654

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I had something similar but on the campground plug end. Started a fire while we were gone. Luckily the two neighbours were fire fighters and put it out. Defective plug because one hot plug has shorted to the neutral. EVerything else is OK and I just changed the plug. On yours likely the same thing but looks like it damaged the trailer connector. Unless you are very familiar with electricity I would have a professional do a once over and change the plugs.

Rob
 
Was this the factory power cord? All it takes is a slightly loose connection to start heating up. I would certainly replace the trailer connection. And power cord connection too of course.
 
Last edited:
Hoopy Frood said:
Was this the factory power cord? All it takes is a slightly loose connection to start heating up. I would certainly replace the trailer connection. And power cord connection too of course.
Click to expand...

Yes a factory power cord. Looks like after disassembling the wall outlet that the bare ground wire shorted against the black hot wire causing the failure.
 
Thread moved to Electrical Systems and Wiring.
[MENTION=56250]wmcgaughey[/MENTION] -

You don't say which RV you have or what year it is. If it is within the warranty period, I would definitely look into having GD cover this - especially since it was the OEM power cord and happened at the trailer end.

Rob
 
2024 GD 390RK. Lightening strike a little over a week ago is more than likely the source. Tech just investigated and found the converter out too. Only 12.1 volts output.
Don’t think GD is responsible for an act of God. Will see what they say.
 
wmcgaughey said:
2024 GD 390RK. Lightening strike a little over a week ago is more than likely the source. Tech just investigated and found the converter out too. Only 12.1 volts output.
Don’t think GD is responsible for an act of God. Will see what they say.
Click to expand...

No - you're right... and sorry to hear that!
[MENTION=56250]wmcgaughey[/MENTION] - here are a few forum posting tips:

1) If you use "Reply With Quote" (to the right of "Reply") as I have here, folks will know to whom you are responding and that person will get a notification.

2) You can also tag folks using the "@" symbol and their user name (as I have done yours) - they'll also get a notification that way.

3) You can create a signature block with your RV and tow vehicle information (see mine below). That way you won't have to repeat that information whenever you post or ask a question - and others won't have to ask. You can create a signature by going to:

Forum Actions (on menu bar) -> Edit Profile -> Edit Signature (under My Settings on the left)

Note: you'll need to have a paid subscription to add an image to your signature.

Rob
 
wmcgaughey said:
2024 GD 390RK. Lightening strike a little over a week ago is more than likely the source. Tech just investigated and found the converter out too. Only 12.1 volts output.
Don’t think GD is responsible for an act of God. Will see what they say.
Click to expand...
I, for one, wouldn't accept a possible lightening strike as a excuse for denial of a warranty claim. For all you know, the converter failure is what caused the plug melt down. Hey, one sounds as good as the other. :)
 
Wow. Glad it didn’t do more damage. If you suspect a lightning strike, maybe an EMS would help. It could help even if it wasn’t lightning.
I won’t travel without one.
Rich
 
Hoopy Frood said:
For all you know, the converter failure is what caused the plug melt down. Hey, one sounds as good as the other. :)
Click to expand...


Assuming the world is perfect, IF the converter was to fail, shouldn't the 15A circuit breaker trip first? I can't say for certain, but the wiring to the converter is much smaller diameter and that would be the second thing to fail. Kind of like a fusible link.
 
I stayed at a campground that required weekly checks on AC power cords and required you to sign a sheet that said you did. If the pedestal outlet burned up YOU were on the hook for the repair. I am guessing there is a reason.

I do a walk around daily, looking for leaks and such, i do put hands on the ac power cord, now I need to add the pedestal plug.


Why in the world would a warranty cover a lightening strike? Yes folks fraudulently make warranty claims, that is the reason folks with legit claims have such a hard time getting legit deficiencies covered.
 
after rereading the thread. it sounds like a warranty issue to me as lightening won't cause wires to move around. a short to ground Might not have caused the converter to blow but with no one witnessing the surges as it arced and shorted it is more than likely
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads - MGRV

R
2015 gd 303 rls
2
lineman1234
lineman1234
Hoopy Frood
Semi-permanently attach Hughes Watchdog to power cord.
2
Hoopy Frood
Hoopy Frood
R
50 Amp Power Cord Adapter?
jeririgged223
jeririgged223
ajg617
Back-feeding shore power from generator run?
ajg617
ajg617
R
Twist Lock Cord Issue
Riverbug
R

New posts - MGRV

Back
Top Bottom