Circuit breaker/plug tester

[lonewolf452]

I watched the ranger at the local state park testing some panels. He had a device that plugged into the 30A and also the 2-20A plugs and lit up to indicate if they were working. I want one, so I don't have to pack up and move to another site, that perhaps has a bad breaker also.
What brought it up was the c-class 3 sites over was plugged into the box 1 site over from his, til someone pulled in. then they had to plug into their box, but I think they kept tripping the breaker. Instead of looking for the fault, the new camper got out his tools and they came to the box next to mine and switched out the breakers.

[hoppy]

A volt meter is not a bad thing to have in the ol' tool box to check the line voltage. I check the 20 amp outlets using the wife's hair dryer or my volt meter if it's handy before I do any setting up. I got caught one time setting everything up (about a 45 minute chore mind you) go and plug the PU into the shore power, and nothing. Hit the resets, still nothing. Had to take everything down and move to another site. So checking with a hair dryer or volt meter is the first thing I do before setting up. I check to make certain that the water is working also, but that's for another topic.

 Now after everything is set up, and before I start-up the A/C, I'll check that outlet with the volt meter to determine that I'm getting at least 106 volts to that recepticle. Low voltage to an A/C is a killer on compressors.

 Volt meters are cheap enough.... Mine was less than $ 15.00 and that included the battery.

[He Ruide]

Lonewolf,  

More than likely what you saw was a circuit analyzer.  They are available at any big box or hardware store in the electrical department  You can plug it in directly into the 20 amp outlets or with a 30 male 15 amp adapter plug it into the 30 amp outlet. This will check the polarity and grounding of the CG post.

What Hoppy has described is another issue.  Do you have adequate voltage at the post?  I've added a 15 amp plug to the test leads of a multimeter to check the CG voltage also before plugging in my PUP.

Hope this helps.

Ruide

[coach]

A volt meter is not a bad thing to have in the ol' tool box to check the line voltage. I check the 20 amp outlets using the wife's hair dryer or my volt meter if it's handy before I do any setting up.

That's a good idea. Put a large load on the system to determine if the breaker(s) are weak.

[lonewolf452]

Ruide, that's exactly it. I purchased a GB unit last night, but the store didn't have the adapter, so I still need that.

As I left the store, there was an electricians van in the lot. I stopped and asked him where I could find the adapter and he just stared at me. We don't have a true hardware store here, will find one either tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks loads

Mike

[He Ruide]

Mike,

You are welcome.  I doubt you will find the adapter at a regular hardware store.  That adapter is really for RVs.  I know they are available at Wal-Mart in the RV section.  If you don't have a WM near by or a RV dealer you can order one off the internet.

Ruide

[lonewolf452]

Went to RV lots this morning. First one had the dongle, but I wanted the reverse of my PU adapter. It was out of stock. 2nd place had it. Internet shopping is easy, but the shipping would have doubled the cost.