leg one, leg two question

[jvicars4]

I am trying to understand how leg one and leg two work in the coach. I
looked at the guages and leg one and leg two both have 120plus voltages
but I only notice amps being used on leg one when under normal
operation (one air, chargers). I have not noticed leg two showing amp
draw. I would expect some of the items on the coach would be on leg two
but I have not seen it drawing amps. Please let me know what to
expect. Thanks.

Jamie
1995 pt 42

[George Lowry]

Jamie,

I have the same thing with my '95 WBDA. A simple explanation of how
it is supposed to work: We have "50 amp" service which is in reality
two 120 Volt lines servicing the coach. I.e., Each of the hot leads,
when connected to the neutral give 120 volts. BTW, each is capable of
50 amps or we have a total of 100 amps possible at 120 volts. In the
distribution box, each hot lead is connected to one buss which then
feeds their respective circuit breakers. If designed and wired
correctly, the two busses should have equal loading.

On the input cables to the master circuit breakers there is a toroid
coil which is the sensor for the ammeters. Since we have current flow
showing on leg one, but none on leg two, yet everything works, I
suspect that the problem is in the indicating system. BTW, I should
mention that our coach is all electric with electric cooking etc.
which is even more important to have balanced loads. I have yet to
trouble shoot the indicating system (hasn't reached the top of the
list yet), but it could be the sensor (toroid coil), the wiring, or
the ammeter itself. If you have access to a clampon ammeter, you can
assure current flow in the circuit. Checking continuity on the wiring
and the meter itself should not be difficult.

Hope this helps,

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
Spearfish, SD


jvicars4 wrote:
> I am trying to understand how leg one and leg two work in the coach. I
> looked at the guages and leg one and leg two both have 120plus voltages
> but I only notice amps being used on leg one when under normal
> operation (one air, chargers). I have not noticed leg two showing amp
> draw. I would expect some of the items on the coach would be on leg two
> but I have not seen it drawing amps. Please let me know what to
> expect. Thanks.
>
> Jamie
> 1995 pt 42
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Jeff Miller]

Try the other A/Cs, one of them should be on L2.

- Jeff Miller


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jvicars4"
wrote:
> I am trying to understand how leg one and leg two work in the coach.
I
> looked at the guages and leg one and leg two both have 120plus
voltages
> but I only notice amps being used on leg one when under normal
> operation (one air, chargers). I have not noticed leg two showing amp
> draw. I would expect some of the items on the coach would be on leg
two
> but I have not seen it drawing amps. Please let me know what to
> expect. Thanks.
>
> Jamie
> 1995 pt 42

[pattypape]

Jamie,

Crank on all the A/C's and/or a couple of electric heaters.
This show some high current draw from both legs. If the ammeter is
still dead, you probably have a defective meter, sensing coil in the
AC load center panel or a loose/frayed wire. You may be able to
swap the two amp gages.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jvicars4"
wrote:
> I am trying to understand how leg one and leg two work in the
coach. I
> looked at the guages and leg one and leg two both have 120plus
voltages
> but I only notice amps being used on leg one when under normal
> operation (one air, chargers). I have not noticed leg two showing
amp
> draw. I would expect some of the items on the coach would be on
leg two
> but I have not seen it drawing amps. Please let me know what to
> expect. Thanks.
>
> Jamie
> 1995 pt 42

[beancounterman]

Actual, the "equal loading" issue can be confusing. If properly designed, the
system should
split the loads so that under most foreseeable operating conditions, neither leg
is
overloaded, and under the most common conditions, the loads are roughly even.
But the
design of the electrical system cannot anticipate the variety of different
situations the
operater will encounter and therefore how the operator will respond. For
example, on a
typical coach with three roof airs, one air will be on one leg, and two on the
other. If the
operator wishes to run two a/c's, the total load will either be on one leg or
split between
two, depending on which a/c's are running and which a/c is not. Wiring 120 volt
resistence heaters presents the same situation, that is, the loads on the legs
and their
"balance" will be determined by which heaters are turned on. It has also been my
experience that this is not an issue unless one or the other leg is exceeding 50
amps while
the other leg under utilized under "normal operating conditions."

Relax unless you are seeing an overload.

Beancounterman



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, George Lowry wrote:
> Jamie,
>
> .......... If designed and wired
> correctly, the two busses should have equal loading......
>


> > Yahoo! Groups Links
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> >