I recently bought a Hi Lo from someone that did not want it any longer- was told that is needed some work but it was still in decent condition. When I got it home it went right up with no problems. The interior was a bit dirty but was easily cleaned, but what can you expect for next to nothing that I pain for it. the main power cord had been run over by a lawn mower, so I replaced the end with a new 30 A plug. After I plugged it in all it will do is hum, at the fuse box. I do have two lights that turn on, one in the front bunk area and the other in the bathroom over the tub. none of the outlets work. I did check all the other bulbs in the other lights and they work but I am not getting any power to them. I checked all the fuses and they are all good. Anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong? I am totally new to the Hi Lo camper experience, and so far I love it, just want to get it all working and get to camping.
garyk52
Senior Member
Please tell me you are plugging into 120 volts and not 240 volts. What is humming the converter or the panel box or something else?
Not sure if it will help but when I connect my trailer to my house power, there is a humming noise that is generated by the converter. Not sure if that is what you are referring to for the humming noise? Also there should be a main switch usually located near the door that needs to be in the upper position for you interior 12v items to work.
If possible can you locate the trailer model number and post this as it will help others in providing some suggestions.
If possible can you locate the trailer model number and post this as it will help others in providing some suggestions.
retiredcamper47
Senior Member
What size extension cord are you running to the trailer. If it is a regular household type cord, it is only 14 - 16 gauge wire. Not enough to handle the draw from the camper. You should use the 30 amp cord that came with the trailer and plug into a 30 amp plug. You could use a "cheater" (30 amp female to 15 amp male electrical adapter) if you only have regular 15 amp plugs in your garage. I would not run the a/c with this setup, but it would handle the other electrical for the camper for testing purposes only. If this info is wrong, someone will correct the info I gave you. That is the great thing about this forum. Everybody has everybody's back.
Bob
Bob
Wrascal
Senior Member
Sgt. Schultz: I know nothing
about these things, but I do know that (larger) transformers can hummmm. Is there one under there somewhere for whatever purpose?
about these things, but I do know that (larger) transformers can hummmm. Is there one under there somewhere for whatever purpose?
There can be a hum from the transformer in the 12 volt converter/charger. The plates can sometimes be loose and allowed to vibrate when the current passes through the windings. The converter is usually housed with the breaker and fuse panels.
Papa-HILO
Senior Member
cord
I agree with Bob. He's right get the proper rated cord. They can be pricy but on this you cannot cut cost.
God Bless
Papa
I agree with Bob. He's right get the proper rated cord. They can be pricy but on this you cannot cut cost.
God Bless
Papa
Wrascal
Senior Member
NOT trying to be argumentative
But unless everything in his camper is turned on (max current draw) then I don't believe a heavier cord would correct this humming noise.
My assumption is that unless this is tripping the house breaker when plugged up then his rewired ac plug is acceptable (although he may have reversed the hot and common leads). I'm unsure of campers color codes for wiring. I guess in theory (Speculation) if this is the case it may cause a hum by running current backwards through an item.
That's where I would start, check where the hot line should be and ensure that's what you've re-wired. That's also when the problem commenced so a good place to start.
Next, what I would do is turn everything OFF, all appliances AND breakers; then see if the hum persists when plugged up. If so then focus on what is still getting power.
If no hum then slowly add breakers, then appliances. Whichever one creates the hum needs looking into.
YES, a proper cord is what he should ultimately seek (me too), but my limited camper experience shows that it can be safely done (for a limited time) with less than a 30A cord.
YMMV.
But unless everything in his camper is turned on (max current draw) then I don't believe a heavier cord would correct this humming noise.
My assumption is that unless this is tripping the house breaker when plugged up then his rewired ac plug is acceptable (although he may have reversed the hot and common leads). I'm unsure of campers color codes for wiring. I guess in theory (Speculation) if this is the case it may cause a hum by running current backwards through an item.
That's where I would start, check where the hot line should be and ensure that's what you've re-wired. That's also when the problem commenced so a good place to start.
Next, what I would do is turn everything OFF, all appliances AND breakers; then see if the hum persists when plugged up. If so then focus on what is still getting power.
If no hum then slowly add breakers, then appliances. Whichever one creates the hum needs looking into.
YES, a proper cord is what he should ultimately seek (me too), but my limited camper experience shows that it can be safely done (for a limited time) with less than a 30A cord.
YMMV.
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Wrascal
Senior Member
Another thought
About five years ago I lived in a 60+ year old riverside house. About 1/4 of the outlets were wired backwards. If this is the case - even wiring your plug properly, you'll have the current flowing backwards. I suspect the owners did this after self repairing Hurricane Katrina damage.
I discovered this when lightning destroyed some of my "protected" stereo equipment. Turns out my cheap protective device only protected the hot line, which in my case turned out to be the return line as my hot line was electrically on the return side - which was not protected, resulting in damage.
Moral of this: you can't trust anything (excluding death and taxes).
About five years ago I lived in a 60+ year old riverside house. About 1/4 of the outlets were wired backwards. If this is the case - even wiring your plug properly, you'll have the current flowing backwards. I suspect the owners did this after self repairing Hurricane Katrina damage.
I discovered this when lightning destroyed some of my "protected" stereo equipment. Turns out my cheap protective device only protected the hot line, which in my case turned out to be the return line as my hot line was electrically on the return side - which was not protected, resulting in damage.
Moral of this: you can't trust anything (excluding death and taxes).
Last edited:
That is when you need one of the plugin receptacle testers. They are only a few bucks. Get the one with the button for checking GFCI outlets.
http://www.amazon.com/GE-50957-Installation-Operation-110-125V/dp/B002LZTKIU/ref=pd_sim_hi_2
http://www.amazon.com/GE-50957-Installation-Operation-110-125V/dp/B002LZTKIU/ref=pd_sim_hi_2
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Wrascal
Senior Member
I had one but didn't think to use it until after this event.
I should have added that it is a good thing to test the pedestal outlets before plugging in at campgrounds.
Wrascal
Senior Member
Are they problematic?
I would have assumed they were installed/checked out by electricians.
I guess, just like my old riverhouse, someone may have tried save a few dollars and did some (shoody) work of there own after the original install.
I would have assumed they were installed/checked out by electricians.
I guess, just like my old riverhouse, someone may have tried save a few dollars and did some (shoody) work of there own after the original install.
Wrascal
Senior Member
So...
Noisy folks want to know, did you resolve this humming issue?
Noisy folks want to know, did you resolve this humming issue?
69hilo2
Senior Member
Humming
Well I have to agree with several things.
1st Rich is correct in pointing out the testers. Always have one and always check your outlets with one of these. On your hilo and your house.
2nd Using the correct size cord or wire is one of the best things that you can do to stop trouble from happening.
3rd Transformer humming is very common. As was stated transformer plates do work their way apart and then hum.
4th if you really feel that the hum is in the circuit box then Good Luck on that one. If you know what you are doing (power off, remove cord wire whatever it takes) check that all wires are tight and then pull circuit breakers off one at a time and put it back in before going to the next one. You are checking to make sure that they are in good and tight. Only do this if you know what you are doing and power is OFF.
Later Tim owner 18ft 1969 hilo
Well I have to agree with several things.
1st Rich is correct in pointing out the testers. Always have one and always check your outlets with one of these. On your hilo and your house.
2nd Using the correct size cord or wire is one of the best things that you can do to stop trouble from happening.
3rd Transformer humming is very common. As was stated transformer plates do work their way apart and then hum.
4th if you really feel that the hum is in the circuit box then Good Luck on that one. If you know what you are doing (power off, remove cord wire whatever it takes) check that all wires are tight and then pull circuit breakers off one at a time and put it back in before going to the next one. You are checking to make sure that they are in good and tight. Only do this if you know what you are doing and power is OFF.
Later Tim owner 18ft 1969 hilo
Wrascal
Senior Member
69hilo2
Senior Member
Zap back at you
Remember the part where I said make sure the power is off or disconnected.
Really this is a zap free zone.
Later Tim
Remember the part where I said make sure the power is off or disconnected.
Really this is a zap free zone.
Later Tim
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