Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
this. I just went through this yesterday.
After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
his house acted weird for a short period of time.
Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
have been fried.
Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
have that stuff in the beginning??
Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
are too.

Dang I hate to here that. I'm glad everyone is OK. I never plug in without my
EMS PT-50 portable, thanks to J. Suter. http://www.viprv.com. Not cheap, but a heck
of a lot less than what happened. Again, happy everyone is OK.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
----- Original Message -----
From: Ernest Ekberg
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 8:56 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Electrical spike


I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
this. I just went through this yesterday.
After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
his house acted weird for a short period of time.
Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
have been fried.
Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
have that stuff in the beginning??
Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
are too.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ernie:

In the summer of '99 (while full-timing) we experienced a big-time spike
at an RV park in Everett, WA. We were towing a Alpenlite 37'
fifth-wheel. We were plugged into a 50 amp line. I was away visiting
friends when this happened. My bride was in the unit - she later
described the noise as like a buzz saw. We lost A/C and just about
everything 120 powered.

Long story short, I was able to enlist the assistance of the power
company (can't recall the name) - they verified that the box I was
plugged into did spike. Fortunately our next planned stop was Yakima, WA
where the Alpenlite (Western Recreational Vehicles) units are built. I
made a lot of noise with the RV park management who denied any liability
at first. They referred me to the three-piece suits who owned this and
other facilities. Yes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease . Got them to
agree to pay for the damage caused a faulty box - the Utility
serviceman backed me on this 100 %.

Everything was factory repaired - and paid for by the RV park
management. As an aside, the park on-site manager was very reluctant to
contact his superiors about his problem - and reluctant to provide me
with the phone number of the parent company. It was this reluctance
that prompted me to contact the power utility. I usually work from the
top-down - let gravity do its work.

Just thought I'd share that with the forum.

Joe (Pappy) Hagan
Wannabe
St. George, UT






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
wrote:
>
> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ernie, that's not good news. I'll bet you had one of the 120 volt leads
short out in the plug at the post. Good thing you didn't have any fire
inside from it. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I have a lot of extra parts
these days that maybe you can use some of them? If you need any SWOO
cord or plugs, I get those from the GE distributor in Billings & save
you lots of money on them. I used 6/4 SWOO for my 50 foot shore power
cord. Heavy but works great, especially with all the heaters running.

Terry Neal
Bozeman, MT
82PT40
74FC34



Ernest Ekberg wrote:

> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>
>

Terry, I need the bus power cord male end and a female box for my extension,
also 50 amps.
Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston,Montana
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Neal
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:35 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Electrical spike


Ernie, that's not good news. I'll bet you had one of the 120 volt leads
short out in the plug at the post. Good thing you didn't have any fire
inside from it. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I have a lot of extra parts
these days that maybe you can use some of them? If you need any SWOO
cord or plugs, I get those from the GE distributor in Billings & save
you lots of money on them. I used 6/4 SWOO for my 50 foot shore power
cord. Heavy but works great, especially with all the heaters running.

Terry Neal
Bozeman, MT
82PT40
74FC34

Ernest Ekberg wrote:

> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry to hear about your problem. Bill

Ernest Ekberg wrote:
I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
this. I just went through this yesterday.
After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
his house acted weird for a short period of time.
Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
have been fried.
Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
have that stuff in the beginning??
Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
are too.






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ernie, So sorry to read this. Man, you've had your hassles lately I
must say. The saving thought is that you had no fire. Glad everyone
is OK.

Ron, No. California
85PT36

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
wrote:
>
> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>

Wow Ernie, you sure aren't having a good time. Hope you haven't lost
all the items you listed. Keep us posted on your repairs.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
wrote:
>
> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>

We are doing ok here in the snow. Temps are in the teens, inside, nice and warm
with water not frozen. I think just a few items are toast. Terry Neal gave me
some tips on my power cord. I am currently 35 feet from the house receptacle. I
have to use an extension cord that was made up capable of carrying 50 amps.
Terry made up a 50 foot cable with his Bluebird connection and a new 50 amp male
plug. As soon as the snow melts, will do my conversion.
Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston,Montana
----- Original Message -----
From: ronmarabito2002
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 7:51 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Electrical spike



Wow Ernie, you sure aren't having a good time. Hope you haven't lost
all the items you listed. Keep us posted on your repairs.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
wrote:
>
> I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
> this. I just went through this yesterday.
> After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
> electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
> they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
> his house acted weird for a short period of time.
> Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
> power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
> and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
> Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
> maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
> have been fried.
> Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
> have that stuff in the beginning??
> Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
> Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
> are too.
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Gosh, sorry to hear of your bad luck Ernie.
This electrical spike that you "received", could very well have been a poorly
wired receptacle. I am assuming,(this could be wrong LOL), that you are plugged
into your son-in-law's house power.
They could have experienced the problem in their house by your cable melting.
Did they lose anything in their home?
What probably had happened during the burning period, is that the neutral let
go, thus allowing the neutral to float, anything that was turned on would have
got the spike, which, depending upon how much resistance (load) was on one leg
versus the other leg, the voltage would have gone up accordingly.
I was called to look at a mobile home a number of years back, and typically
the same thing had happened, it too was a 50 amp power cord.

For an electrical spike to do damage to electrical equipment is rare,
electronic equipment is a different story.
Also when I mention an electrical spike, this is instantaeous, in your case,
it happened over a short period of time, maybe as short as a minute.

Bill 84FC35SB

Ernest Ekberg wrote:
I have read through various other forums of individuals experiencing
this. I just went through this yesterday.
After leaving the coach around 7 am, I arrived back around 1 pm to no
electricity. I checked the breakers, called my son inlaw to see if
they had power- he said all is well. He said, also, that the lights in
his house acted weird for a short period of time.
Looked at the outside breaker box- 50 amp tripped. Discovered my bus
power cord melted. Looks like someone just cut the male plug end off
and just left an exposed wire hanging there.
Found out, that all 120 volt/12 volt transformers- tv antenna booster,
maglite charger, my main tv- smells burnt electrical, and many more
have been fried.
Of course, with full coverage insurance- nothing is covered. why do we
have that stuff in the beginning??
Looks like I'm in the market for some surge protection. FYI
Ernie-83PT40 in Montana- thank heavens my computer is ok, and my girls
are too.






Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada


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