Hi everyone just a word of caution. Installed a hard wire surge protector approximately 8 months ago and it never worked, fault E2, open ground (no ground wire connection) when ever I went to a park with power the surge protector had to be put on by pass. I left it that way till 2 days ago for the simple reason that I was boondocking. So when I went to a rv resort, I now had 50 amp service but once again had to place surge protector on by pass to have power. So contacted manufacturer of surge protector and started to do some testing and discovered that I had 68 volts between the neutral and ground which is a no no, should have reading of zero. So following the wire back to the 50 amp plug entry to the rv, so when i removed the plug the ground wire was not connected and the neutral wire was in the hole but was not tightened at all !!!!! I have had this rv since Aug. 29/24 and using full time with no ground very dangerous. I contacted Alliance immediately and they will replace 50 amp plug and new 6-3 wire. Also if I want will grant 2 hours for labour. Just a word of caution if you have a surge protector and a fault code of E2 please check the entry point into rv might be some wire not connected or loose. See pictures. One more the neutral wire has been cut at the sheating ( slit in wire, went to far into sheating)
No ground connection and loose neutral
- Thread starter rick 6621
- Start date
BryanValRox
Well-known member
Glad you got this figured out, I know you have been dealing with this for sometime! Appreciate you posting your findings so everyone can learn from it. No doubt this was a serious issue, and you can rest more easily knowing it has been resolved.
While not cheap, this would be a great time to change over to the SmartPlug Power Cord setup. Here is the video I did on the modification.
Your SmartPlug power cord set up seem to do the trick for the exception of the power chord it’s not at a 90 degree to the 50 amp entrance device you know that the 6-3 wire is very heavy and does not bend very well, you are letting this big heavy wire make its own 90 degree bend. The end of the wire should be a 90 degree adapter not a straight adapter. Then maybe I would be tempted to change depending on price. Take a look at all the 50 amp rv entrance chord most are 90 degree bends. Thanks the advice
I see your point, however the power is built like a brick!! Never going to have any issue with sagging down and causing an issue.
Not sure what you're talking about. I only carry the standard 50 amp cord and a small 15 foot 50 amp extention. I just used a 30 to 50 amp dogbone 5 days ago. No isssue.
Do you carry a 50 amp cord and a 30 amp cord?
Last edited:
So you carry a 50 amp cord and 30 amp cord and a 30 to 50 amp dogbone that connects to the RV? I just use the dogbone that converts at the shore pedestal.
This is how I connect if I only have 30 amp shore power.
I get what you are saying, most parks and most private parks around my neck of the woods only have 30 amp services. I’m lazy most of the time I use only a 30 amp cord, no need for the big and heavy 50 amp cord. I’m not knocking your SmartPlug I think it’s a great idea, but not for me.
Socal-Paul
Well-known member
Okay, I'm lost. I agree there is probably more pressure because of the lack of a 90 in the smart plug. My concern would be with the mounting to the side wall if there is no backing plate. I have never seen any adapters (dogbanes) that hook up to the 50amp receptacle on the sidewall so have you changed out the sidewall plug? From what I have looked at the Smart Plug does not change the plug at the pedestal so all the adapters would work.
The smart plug changes the connection at the trailer. None of my existing cords or adapters will connect to the trailers.
I guess I could by all new everything, But thats why it's a deal breaker!
I have dedicated 30 amp cord and 50 amp cord, 90º adapter, 15 amp adapter, generator adapter.
They all connect directly to 50 amp twist lock connector on trailer not at pedestal.
I guess I could by all new everything, But thats why it's a deal breaker!
I have dedicated 30 amp cord and 50 amp cord, 90º adapter, 15 amp adapter, generator adapter.
They all connect directly to 50 amp twist lock connector on trailer not at pedestal.
Using the smart plug you have to use the 50 amp cord on the rv entry plug. With there existing entry plug you can use a dogbone with 30amp plug you don’t have to use that big and awkward 50amp cord. Also there are many places where there is no 50 amp pedestal only 30 and 20 or 15 amps
I guess I am creature of habit. I started off YEARS ago with dogbone adapters that connect to the shore pedestal, which allows me to have to bring one power cord. I've never stuggled with the 50 amp cord, so adding a 30 amp cord is just not something I would ever consider. After reading this thread, I found there are dogbones for the RV not just the shore pedestal, but I see no need for second cord, so this would have never been something I would use. Therefore the SmartPlug is perfect for me
Our prior 5th wheel was a Heartland Bighorn, that had the 50 amp cord intergated in via a power reel. The only option was to use dogbone at pedestal. I went to find a video showing this and look who is in the video, promoting the integrated power cord reel!!
Our prior 5th wheel was a Heartland Bighorn, that had the 50 amp cord intergated in via a power reel. The only option was to use dogbone at pedestal. I went to find a video showing this and look who is in the video, promoting the integrated power cord reel!!
I guess we all have our habits. I started out with a 30 amp RV so the 50 amp cord was always big and heavy by comparison.
I also had 30 amp cords left from the prior rig so it was a no brainer to use my 30 amp stuff when possible.
Now I have more connectors and adapters than I care to admit.! But I have accumulated them over time.
At this point I'm not willing to sacrifice my adapters for the Smart Plug system.
If it were not for my existing adapter collection I may have made the Smart plug move years ago
I also had 30 amp cords left from the prior rig so it was a no brainer to use my 30 amp stuff when possible.
Now I have more connectors and adapters than I care to admit.! But I have accumulated them over time.
At this point I'm not willing to sacrifice my adapters for the Smart Plug system.
If it were not for my existing adapter collection I may have made the Smart plug move years ago
