Steps to troubleshoot no power

[Spaceace5150]

We are back from a 4th of July trip and had some electrical problems, and got me to thinking how others trouble shoot their electrical problems.

This is probably a silly question, but is there a way to test if there is power coming into the camper (is the issue with my pop up or the campground outlet)? My problem this trip was that we did not have power when plugged into the 30 amp electric at the campsite. To test if the electric at the campground was working, plugged into the 110v outlet at the site with an adapter and it worked. I talked to the campground and they gave me a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter and I plugged into the 50 amp and it worked fine all weekend.

Just thinking about the best steps to take to troubleshoot next time I have a problem. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[BikeNFish]

If plugged in, do what you did and start at the source.

If dry camping, start with the battery, work toward the appliances/outlets and always keep a multimeter on hand.

You don't need an expensive multimeter. I use THIS one.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

If plugged in, do what you did and start at the source.

If dry camping, start with the battery, work toward the appliances/outlets and always keep a multimeter on hand.

You don't need an expensive multimeter. I use THIS one.

Dang - it even tests some transistors!

 

[Spaceace5150]

I always camp at campgrounds with Shore Power. Is there a way to test if power is getting to the converter? Then I could troubleshoot from there?

 

[kitphantom]

For a start, we don't plug in anywhere, home or away, without our Progressive EMS (electrical management system), which is more than a surge protector. We didn't have one with our popup, but knowing what we know now, and have experienced, we would have had one then.
First thing we do is plug that in, and it begins running checks. It has cut power a few times for low voltage, and not allowed power through due to unsafe conditions at the power pole more than once.
We do carry the dog bone that allows us to use a 50 amp outlet for the 30 amp trailer. On occasion, I've had to use the 50 amp, because someone else has the 30 amp on a shared power column, or because the site doesn't have a 30 amp; both rare occurrences. Because the 30 amp outlet tends to be the most used, having the dog bone allows using the 50 amp when the 30 amp is worn, which would be one possibility for your situation.