Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

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stevek
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Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by stevek »

This to relates to another recent post I made regarding a loose fitting receptacle and arcing.
I turned the breaker off, plugged in, breaker back on and could hear arcing and needed to jiggle the plug to get power.
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Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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whemme
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by whemme »

Sure looks damaged to me. I suspect that loose and worn female contacts in a pedestal connector probably caused this damage.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
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stevek
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by stevek »

I am sure the damage was not there before.
Do I need a new plug? If so, why?? Looks just cosmetic to me???
Thanks Bill
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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whemme
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by whemme »

You want the pin to pin connections to be as low resistance as possible and burned contacts raise that resistance. If you rather not replace that damaged plug I would recommend using 400 grit sandpaper to polish out the burn areas on those pins.

If polishing the pins removes too much of the low resistance plating, then that will be another potential problem.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
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Roger H
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by Roger H »

stevek wrote:I am sure the damage was not there before.
Do I need a new plug? If so, why?? Looks just cosmetic to me???
Thanks Bill
Is the plastic damaged on the plug, Steve?
'06 Born Free 32 RQ Kodiak Chassis
(Former: '01 Born Free 23 RK)
Dinghy: '16 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar.
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stevek
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by stevek »

No damage/ melting of the plastic.
Think I will try to sand/ file it out. Thanks guys

It's a shame. This is one of my favorite camp spots. Doubt if the owner would "correct".
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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Roger H
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by Roger H »

stevek wrote:No damage/ melting of the plastic.
Think I will try to sand/ file it out. Thanks guys

It's a shame. This is one of my favorite camp spots. Doubt if the owner would "correct".
That was going to be my next suggestion is to make the contacts smooth again and run with it. Just don't use that particular pedestal until the socket is replaced.
'06 Born Free 32 RQ Kodiak Chassis
(Former: '01 Born Free 23 RK)
Dinghy: '16 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar.
Traveling with Sir Winston and Lady Rae (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
oliverpsmile
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by oliverpsmile »

After sanding/polishing use some dielectric grease before plugging in. It helps the connection.
Oliver P Smile
2005 26ft RSB
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stevek
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by stevek »

Thats a real good idea...the dielectric grease. Thanks
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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Dave Rotelle
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by Dave Rotelle »

Steve, we had a similar problem in Berlin Ohio last night. Shortly after hooking up I realized we had no power. When I wiggled our plug in the 30amp receptacle I could hear the contacts crackling. We moved to another site and everything worked fine.
First time that ever happened to us, the owners of the RV park replaced the receptacle this morning within hours of me notifying them.

Dave
Last edited by Dave Rotelle on Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2013 Freedom Front Lounge.
Purchased November 2017.
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stevek
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by stevek »

Thanks Dave. Maybe I should contact the owner after all. How hard is it to replace? Do they just shut off the power at the pedestal by turning off the breaker? And safe to work on receptacle?
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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Dave Rotelle
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by Dave Rotelle »

Hello Steve,
The owner just stopped by in his golf cart to check on us to see if everything was OK with our electric. He said he built the RV park in 1990 and that his biggest maintenance issue is electric breakers and receptacles. He said they often have guests who put a pig tale on their 50 amp cord to reduce them to a 30amp receptacle. He said it causes the contacts in the receptacles to separate over time.
We were not here when he replaced it but I'm sure it was a quick fix. He did stress the importance of turning the breaker off when plugging in and unplugging. He said when people unplug with the breaker on it causes an ark. I always try to use that procedure although I'm sure I have yanked the plug out a time or two without turning off the breaker......


Dave
2013 Freedom Front Lounge.
Purchased November 2017.
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Mel Wilbur
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by Mel Wilbur »

Steve, this may be a good time to check out the Smart Plug system that Born Free switched to in the later years.
Mel & Connie
old fashioned
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Re: Is my 30 amp service plug damaged?

Post by old fashioned »

Also a reason to have the device that checks the voltage and protects from surges. An electrical surge in TX damaged one of our ACs. The device cost about $300, now can't remember the name, but it is an American company. If there is any electrical issue on the pedestal, there will be a code. In no problem, the code is EO. Anyway, with summer electrical storms, nice to have the protection.
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