I recently inherited an Airstream and accidentally connected it to a 220V source, which it definitely wasn't designed for. Now that I've fixed the connection to 120V, I'm facing problems: most outlets don't work at all, and the few that do read only about 108V and function intermittently. I'm wondering if I need to replace the outlets, rewire anything, or how to troubleshoot this issue without tearing apart all the walls.
3 Answers
It sounds like you need to check how your RV's electrical system is set up. If you initially had 220V going into a power distribution box, you may want to inspect that first. If you're not really familiar with RV electrics, it might be a good idea to get a professional to take a look or be prepared to learn a whole lot really quickly!
From what you’ve described, it seems like you might have damaged the wiring, especially along the longer runs of the RV. If you have a significant volt drop like that, it often means the wires overheated. You could do a voltage drop test with an extension cord to identify where the issue lies. For instance, plug a good extension cord into the outlet closest to the power inlet and measure the voltage at the other end. This can help pinpoint if those longer runs need to be replaced.
The first thing to do is check the voltage reading at the spot where your RV is plugged in. If it shows 120V there, you should also measure the voltage at each breaker and along the outlet. It’s crucial to know if the outlets that are farther away from the power source are receiving sufficient voltage. Sometimes those further runs can have issues if the wiring isn't up to par.