What do people use to test shore power ?

[MikeD]

I'm looking to see what everyone uses to test and monitor shore power before hooking up the trailer. There seems to be a variety of equipment that one could get. For example -

• simple circuit testers to check for polarity, ground and GFI
• voltage monitors and alarms
• surge protectors
• transformers to regulate the voltage, etc...

Of course the further down the list you go, the more expensive it becomes.

So what do I really need to protect my new TM ??

thanks in advance -- Mike

[Denny_A]

Mike,

I use the "simple" continuity/polarity checker. I plug it into the shore power 30 amp outlet (using suitable adapter plug) and check for proper indication - even before maneuvering into the site.

After the camper is set up, I plug the checker into an outside AC outlet before going hot on shore power. This allows immediate confirmirmation of AC power to the camper . On my very first outing, I found out, after setting-up the camper, that there was NO Power at the chosen site. It was cold, ground was wet and a steady mist was falling. I felt mildly irritated. I linked my my 25 foot, 30 amp extension cord and reached the next site - which only had 15 amps service. Fortunately I had a 30-to-15 amp adapter. All's well that ends.....

One never forgets first-hand, newbie mistakes.

Denny_A