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Post by archerynut on Jul 2, 2019 14:14:44 GMT -8
Hey everyone. We have a 15ft travel trailer purchased this past January. It was built in 1981 in Alberta. Not sure of the maker. This trailer receives power through a 3 blade slanted female end. The female end is made by Bargman. 120V-35A A.G.is what is stamped on the female end. This past weekend was our first trip out. I was inspecting the connection when I moved it slightly and a sizzling 4 inch flame issued from the socket. The connections in the plug were fried. My uncle and I stripped down to fresh wire and attempted to re-attach the wires. Same result. I feel like issue is within the female end. Do they make this style of plug anymore? We dont have a battery bank so our power options are limited. Anyone know what to do? This is our first trailer and the learning curve is steep. Thanks everyone! Andrew from Calgary
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Post by vikx on Jul 2, 2019 19:18:58 GMT -8
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Post by archerynut on Jul 2, 2019 19:42:49 GMT -8
Thank you very kindly!
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Post by vikx on Jul 3, 2019 19:45:23 GMT -8
Sorry because I love those old inlets. It's just not feasible to keep one when you can't use it...
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Post by archerynut on Jul 4, 2019 8:34:43 GMT -8
This is true for sure. I checked out the link you provided. The picture for the item in question does not illustrate what type of female plug it accepts. Kind of a long shot, but do you know the configuration? I'm assuming for this type of fix that I will require a new female end as well. Hoping I can just attach the female end to the 30 amp power cord that came with our trailer. Thanks for your assistance thus far. Andrew
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Post by vikx on Jul 4, 2019 20:25:40 GMT -8
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Post by archerynut on Jul 5, 2019 7:42:03 GMT -8
Can't thank you enough sir. I'll get that ordered. I'll post my progress if that's ok.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Jul 7, 2019 6:39:35 GMT -8
4 inch flame? The electrical plug and socket is not the problem. You either had a frayed wire at the screw connections that made contact when you moved the cord or something is connected wrong, causing a short. Before you condemn the plug and socket, check your wiring and connections first. If you do decide to replace the whole setup, don't toss the Bargman stuff. Someone is going to want it, especially the female cord end.
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WhitneyK
Active Member
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Jul 7, 2019 10:30:17 GMT -8
Sounds like a dead short to me, between the plug and (before) the breaker (or else the breaker would be tripping). I would start by taking the plug loose from the camper and getting it out to where you can see what's going on with the back of it. Ohm out your wires (with a multi-meter - inexpensive one at HF will do) to check to see if your black wire is making contact with your white, while it is unplugged from 110V of course, safety first. If you're comfortable doing it, remove the cover from your breaker box and disconnect the black wire from the breaker and ohm out again. Problem could be a screw or nail puncturing the wire, worn insulation where it goes into the breaker box, corroded plug,....... If I have over-stepped my bounds with this advice, please remove it from the thread. Like always, jmho.
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Post by archerynut on Jul 8, 2019 20:10:01 GMT -8
So a couple days before this event occured, we had been checking systems in our trailer to make sure they work such as the fridge, furnace, and such. We had the power connected to the trailer and everything was looking good and working well. No crazy sizzling flames that day, even when I unplugged in preparation for leaving the next day. The trouble happened when we were out camping. The trailer has a slight leak at the front left corner so I had that corner tarped over due to the rain we had. The tarp was putting a bit of pressure on the cable issuing from the socket. When I pulled the tarp back slightly was when the flaming started. So my first thought was the plug. But maybe not...I'll be taking all the advice being given. I will pull the socket from the trailer and inspect the wires inside to make sure there is no contact. My abilities with electrical components is not great but my uncle is a do-all kinda guy so I will be enlisting his help. Thanks so far everyone. I will be updating this thread. As this is our first trailer ever I am really fumbling through trying to figure this all out. Its been fun and frustrating at the same time. Andrew from Calgary
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