jc21014 Report post Posted July 10, 2019 Last August 2018, we traded our 2004 Newmar DS Diesel Pusher for a 2010 Newmar Dutch Aire DP. In the following approximate time frame, 8/10/18-10/15/18, we travelled to no less than 8+- cgs, private & state but mainly private and encountered approx. "26" instances where ac power would shutdown for anywhere from 30 seconds-2 minutes. 99% of the time, the Progressive Dynamic hardwired system would show error message of E4, which is Line 1-Low Voltage. About the third week of Sept, I replaced the Progressive Dynamic EMS & the Transfer with new and noticed the 50A plug showed burn marks on one of the prongs and was loose where it went into the rubber plug itself. Headed towards Tx on about 10/15/19 and stopped at the dealer where purchased for a fridge exchange to a Samsung and had them replace the plug. The shutdowns seemed to stop after the plug was replaced with only error messages showing up after as described. Arrived in southern Tx for the winter and only had (2) issues from 10/20/18-4/26/19. The first was error code E2-Open ground and the second was the E4- low voltage-L2. Left and headed back north on approx. 4/27/19 and stopped at 4-5 CG's with no issues until 6/22/19 at which time we had (1) E4 error message. On 6/25/17, we had an incident of no power when we plugged in and ran generator for 2 hrs before trying the pedestal again. This time we had power. Took to an rv shop and had it checked and of course every thing ran fine. The tech talked with Progressives techs and every thing check ok when he ran there tests. On 6/30/19, no power when plugged in at a KOA in Newton, Ia, Tried another newer pedestal (2) hrs later and the power came on in the coach. In Shipshewana, Ind from 7/1/19-7/8/19 and had one incident where the 50A pedestal breaker tripped when I plugged a small vac into the 20A pluin of the pedestal. Reset and everything ran ok. We are at a cg n Holland, Michigan at this time and have had (1) E4 message only. Any rv electronic savvy people have any idea(s) what might be causing this fiasco? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sstgermain Report post Posted July 10, 2019 It sounds like the progressive dynamics ems is bad. Did you try to bypass it for a day or 2 in a campground and see if it still does it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 10, 2019 52 minutes ago, sstgermain said: It sounds like the progressive dynamics ems is bad. Did you try to bypass it for a day or 2 in a campground and see if it still does it. The Progressive EMS & Transfer Switch were replaced with new last Sept 2018. The current EMS was bypassed the latter part of June 2019 for several days with no problems. Had it rewired back before we left Missouri for the Newton, Ia park. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted July 10, 2019 You replaced the plug, EMS, and transfer switch. Have you confirmed tight connections where the power lines connect to the breaker panel from the transfer switch? A loose connection there could be responsible for everything downstream. If that doesn't work, I'd be following all the main conductors to ensure tight connections wherever you can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted July 11, 2019 I agree with richard5933. In addition, I have a few questions. Have you tested or had the entire 50A cord tested for high resistance and fluctuations under load- megger test? Has the MH main entrance panel been inspected for loose connections, over-heated bus bars, etc? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted July 11, 2019 I too agree with Richard. IMHO, I would get a new 50 amp cord & do as Richard suggested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 11, 2019 23 hours ago, richard5933 said: You replaced the plug, EMS, and transfer switch. Have you confirmed tight connections where the power lines connect to the breaker panel from the transfer switch? A loose connection there could be responsible for everything downstream. If that doesn't work, I'd be following all the main conductors to ensure tight connections wherever you can. That is one thing that I will do in 1-2 days. We spent a week in Shipshewana, Ind and now are in Holland, Mich, leaving tomorrow for St Ignace, Mich/Mackinac Island for 5 days. Have to admit this should have been checked for tightness but life has got in the way. At another posters suggestion who has had (2) previous Newmars with similar problems, I will check the neutral wire connection at the breaker box for tightness as that is what caused his similar problem in the past. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 11, 2019 20 hours ago, RayIN said: I agree with richard5933. In addition, I have a few questions. Have you tested or had the entire 50A cord tested for high resistance and fluctuations under load- megger test? Has the MH main entrance panel been inspected for loose connections, over-heated bus bars, etc? My tech friend and I have checked the replacement plug connections, ems/surge protection box connections and transfer switch connections. He also has checked the cord itself when I took it to the shop where he works. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted July 11, 2019 That's great, by process of elimination, the cause may be discovered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted July 12, 2019 If all connections are good and tight, it still seems as though there is a problem with the ATS (automatic transfer switch), you may have had a problem that has caused the ATS's to go bad, or just coincidence. Is it possible to wire around the ATS with shore power to see what happens without it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted July 12, 2019 Does this coach have a power cord reel? After the cord reel is there a plug connecting the reel to the coach? Carls coach is set up like this, he was having electrical issues, when I found where the reel plugged into the coach it is a Twist lock style and it vibrated loose. I had a heck of a time reaching back to resecure it and set the locking collar. I thought for sure that was the problem, wasn’t but could have caused his ATS to fail. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted July 12, 2019 Joe did have some fun..NOT. Thanks again for your effort and help! Have had no more elect issues since the ATS was replaced. Now, I hope I never have a cracked tile! LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 12, 2019 Update. We left the CG in Holland, Michigan this at 11a this morning. Pryor to turning off the pedestal 50a breaker, I reached in and started to pull out about (3) ft more of power cord from the reel. Heard the transfer switch click and lost ac power to the coach. Quit pulling on the cord and the ac kicked on at 20 seconds as it should. Me thinks that something(wire connections/brushes) in the cord reel itself might be the culprit. We are now at a cg close to Mackinac Island for 4 days or so. Plugged in with no problems. I will check the cord reel for loose connections or try and find a mobile rv tech if one is available here. I know my limitations when it comes to electricity. I remember reading a discussion on another forum(?) about cord reels causing electical issues. Now to find which forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted July 13, 2019 jc, could it have been one of these threads?: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f52/tdi-products-outstanding-customer-service-66087.html https://www.heartlandowners.org/archive/index.php/t-50907.html If you are considering buying a used reel: https://rvaccessories.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/f/rvelectrical.pl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 13, 2019 11 hours ago, RayIN said: jc, could it have been one of these threads?: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f52/tdi-products-outstanding-customer-service-66087.html https://www.heartlandowners.org/archive/index.php/t-50907.html If you are considering buying a used reel: https://rvaccessories.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/f/rvelectrical.pl The posts I remember seeing were in the last 6 months or so and caught my eye because this was the first cord reel that we had every had on a rv. I usually read what I call the big 4 rv forums; Irv2, rvnet, escapees, and fmca. I'm thinking it was most likely Irv2 or rv net but haven't found it yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted July 14, 2019 On 7/12/2019 at 7:12 PM, jc21014 said: Update. We left the CG in Holland, Michigan this at 11a this morning. Pryor to turning off the pedestal 50a breaker, I reached in and started to pull out about (3) ft more of power cord from the reel. Heard the transfer switch click and lost ac power to the coach. Quit pulling on the cord and the ac kicked on at 20 seconds as it should. Me thinks that something(wire connections/brushes) in the cord reel itself might be the culprit. We are now at a cg close to Mackinac Island for 4 days or so. Plugged in with no problems. I will check the cord reel for loose connections or try and find a mobile rv tech if one is available here. I know my limitations when it comes to electricity. I remember reading a discussion on another forum(?) about cord reels causing electical issues. Now to find which forum. If you are not comfortable working around AC by all means call in a mobile RV repair. They could simply remove the cord from the reel and hard wire it directly to the ATS. That would be the most cost effective solution. Glendinning makes a reel that is directly hard wired, basically it just rolls your cord into a bucket (mounts above it) but the other end is direct to the ATS. No more brushes! I have seen them used at RV salvage yards and they have several different models. Might be a good alternative to the current design. Photo below is the common one found in older Monaco products. https://www.glendinningprods.com/products/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted July 15, 2019 Mine is a open at the top box and is plugged into wall, then about 4 feet there is a splice to the 30' of cord. If yours is the same, I would look at the splice & make sure the plug into coach is seated correctly (looks like a washing machine male, female plug)! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 18, 2019 Called Newmar and they show the orig reel that was installed in 2010 was a Glendining brand so the 1st owner had it replaced for unknown reasons with a Shoreline brand. Was able to find a mobile tech yesterday who responded to the cg we are at and he did remove the reel and install it directly into the Progressive EMS system. He has done this a number of times in the past as the contacts can become pitted and cause various electrical issues. Will run the cord this way until we get back to the KC area then decide if I will have a new cord reel setup installed. He also checked our Oasis system as it had a Heater Module Fault Light come on and the combustion fan light was blinking. He checked the system out then did a reset. Every fired up and is still working as I write this post. If it occurs again, then I might consider replacing the combustion fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted July 31, 2019 After arriving back to the KC area, I disassembled the cord reel and found what the problem was. Two of the 3 metal contacts were badly pitted/corroded as was the metal cylinder they were in contact with. Will most likely not replace the electric cord reel with a new one but continue to store it in the electric bay as there has been no problems since wiring directly to the Progressive EMS switch. Thanks everyone for your comments/suggestions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted July 31, 2019 I don't see any reason you couldn't polish everything up with some scotch brite and have it working just fine. Maybe a little tweaking of the contacts to be shure you have a good contact. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jc21014 Report post Posted August 1, 2019 23 hours ago, WILDEBILL308 said: I don't see any reason you couldn't polish everything up with some scotch brite and have it working just fine. Maybe a little tweaking of the contacts to be shure you have a good contact. Bill The 1st and 3rd contacts are somewhat brittle and partially eaten away for some reason so that is not an option. Right now, the main cord reel is direct wired into the Progressive EMS and looped into the electrical compartment when not in use. RV Cord reel manufactures to not sell repairable parts to the public but have been known to repair the problem(s) if the owners sends it to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sr1968 Report post Posted October 11, 2021 I have the same issue , on a Shoreline Reels model #RH54, I was able to clean up the damaged portion of the drum where the contact had arced out against it, using a lathe, and polished the other 2 sections back to like new condition. I need help locating a replacement contact , or even if someone has a damaged reel ,that I could rob the contact out of and get mine fixed. I would believe that all the reels by this manufacturer would use the same contacts, so it wouldn't have to be the exact same model, thanks Shane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhammy70 Report post Posted July 28, 2022 Hi Shane. I just had the same problem with my cord reel. Any luck finding/fabricating suitable parts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted July 28, 2022 4 hours ago, jhammy70 said: Hi Shane. I just had the same problem with my cord reel. Any luck finding/fabricating suitable parts? His reply was over 18 months ago, I doubt he follows this old thread. Send him a PM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
