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Old 09-17-2019, 06:26 PM   #1
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Does anyone else do this?

In my owners manual it states that prior to plugging in shore power, or unplugging, to shut off the main breaker. Does anyone else do this? Or is it overkill? Look forward to your responses

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Old 09-17-2019, 06:32 PM   #2
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I shut the breaker off at the pedestal... I hope that's enough!
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Old 09-17-2019, 06:34 PM   #3
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I do that too, and make sure the pedestal breaker is off prior to plugging in and also use a surge protector. But at home the breaker is on the far side of the house and I do the main breaker in the MH.
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Old 09-17-2019, 07:53 PM   #4
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I don't use my EMS here at home: it's a much better known supply of power...

There: I just jinxed myself!
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Old 09-17-2019, 08:22 PM   #5
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I turn the breaker on and off at the pedestal. I figure between that and the EMS I should be safe.
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Old 09-17-2019, 08:23 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I don't use my EMS here at home: it's a much better known supply of power...



There: I just jinxed myself!


My wife just read in another forum of someone who had their EMS taken out from a lightning strike at home.

I also don’t use my EMS at home either but I do shut the breaker off when I see storms coming.

I may install an internal EMS at some point that protects the coach regardless of where I plug in as well as protect it in case of a generator snafu.
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Old 09-17-2019, 08:42 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Skip 500 View Post
In my owners manual it states that prior to plugging in shore power, or unplugging, to shut off the main breaker. Does anyone else do this? Or is it overkill? Look forward to your responses
My Progressive EMS does it automatically. I always stop the generator and turn the A/Cs off before going outside. Best practice is to uncoil the shore line; then plug it into the coach. Proceed to the pedestal and check that the circuit breakers are off. Plug in the shoreline to the pedestal and then turn the pedestal's circuit breakers on. The way my coach is wired there are two 1.5 minute delays before the ATS and EMS lets power into the coach.
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Old 09-17-2019, 09:47 PM   #8
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My wife just read in another forum of someone who had their EMS taken out from a lightning strike at home.
Proof that there are no guarantees in Life...
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Old 09-17-2019, 09:55 PM   #9
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probably the 'best' course of action is to trip off you pedestal's breaker before you plug in, but it's not a dealbreaker if you don't - the only difference is that there could be a slight difference in which of you cord's male blades touch the outlet's female inlets - where a slight arc or spark could be had. Generally, though, that in itself is not a big issue, especially if you don't have much in the way 'ON' in the coach, meaning something that is actively 'working' on 120v power, even though the microwave is usually in the 'on/ready' mode, and will have a small amperage draw even for just it's internal power needs when it's not actively working, etc.

We've plugged in many times to an active 50amp or 30amp outlet, with no issues. We've even been to many campgrounds, campsites, or private sites were no BREAKER was even available at the outlet - the outlet is simply ON all the time!
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Old 09-17-2019, 10:25 PM   #10
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We've plugged in many times to an active 50amp or 30amp outlet, with no issues. We've even been to many campgrounds, campsites, or private sites were no BREAKER was even available at the outlet - the outlet is simply ON all the time!
That just seems as if somebody is begging for an extra large heap of trouble!
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Old 09-17-2019, 10:27 PM   #11
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maybe, but think about every outlet in your own home - they are 'always on' when you plug into them, whether it's a two prong cord, or a three prong cord - and very little ever happens just because you didn't trip the breaker before you plugged in... : )
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Old 09-17-2019, 10:29 PM   #12
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At least you have a better idea of the shape that your own home's electrical system is in...
It's just my natural fear of the unknown!
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Old 09-17-2019, 11:12 PM   #13
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I always turn off the breaker on the pedestal and the one in the house at home (wish I had gotten the RV box with the breaker) before plugging into the RV. I just don't want to take a chance with the blades arcing or not exactly matching up when I am plugging in.

Just a little effort for some piece of mind. I also use the SURGE PROTECTOR anytime the coach is plugged in.
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Old 09-20-2019, 07:28 PM   #14
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New RV’r here. When driving to a site I have the generator on for the air conditioners. When I arrive at a site I have been leaving the generator on while connecting the power to the pedestal. Once the surge protector comes ready, I turn the generator. Is this a bad thing?
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Old 09-20-2019, 07:41 PM   #15
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I suppose that as long as your automatic transfer switch is routing your power:
I plug in my EMS to the pedestal after I shut of it's breakers. I then flip them on, and plug into power.
But I don't tend to run the generator; if I've got shore power at the ready...

But I don't think that there's anything wrong with what you're doibg either!
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Old 09-20-2019, 08:33 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Rocky-in-AR View Post
New RV’r here. When driving to a site I have the generator on for the air conditioners. When I arrive at a site I have been leaving the generator on while connecting the power to the pedestal. Once the surge protector comes ready, I turn the generator. Is this a bad thing?
Every installation guide for an ATS states that it is necessary to reduce heavy inductive (motor or coil) loads before switch to or from shore/generator power. The reason is an electrical phenomenon labeled back EMF. When you open a relay powering a motor, the back emf will cause a large high amperage arc which will melt the surface of the contacts. Without getting to an electrical discussion, let's say the electrons storied in the motor have to go somewhere and they choose to go back from where they came. Will the relay fail immediately - no. Will the relay contacts wear over time - yes. Could the contacts fuse from the heat if the relay vibrated - yes.
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Old 09-20-2019, 09:53 PM   #17
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When I plug in to shore power, I am plugging in my Surge Guard which has a two minute delay before any power goes to coach... I typically do turn off the pedestal breaker first, but really don’t see the need as long as the Surge Guard is what is plugging in... No draw to arc, and it is validating all connections before powering the rig.

For Rocky-in -AR, the only change I would suggest is to turn off the Air Conditioners before shutting down the generator with shore power present... As Beau said, things will last longer if switching with lower loads - especially motors.
You can turn them right back on once switched over - expect a 2 minute delay before it actually restarts - it’s form of self preservation.
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Old 09-20-2019, 10:09 PM   #18
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Is anybody else getting a headache from all of theover the over-worked brain cells?
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Old 09-20-2019, 10:49 PM   #19
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I turn off the circuit breaker at the pedestal. Then I connect the surge protector to the pedestal. Turn on circuit breaker and check lights on surge protector to be sure I have good power at the pedestal. Turn off circuit breaker. Plug 20' power cable into surge protector. Turn on circuit breaker.

All that takes about 2 minutes but it ensures there is good power at the pedestal before having it go into the RV's converter. This level of caution came from my military aircraft maintenance and munitions experience.
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Old 09-28-2019, 07:19 PM   #20
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I shut the breaker off at the pedestal... I hope that's enough!
What is the pedestal and where is it
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