These Parks Ain't Loyal

He agreed to my estimation visit terms and I came out expecting to look at quoting on replacing the panel. I asked him questions like how long has it been happening, is it constant, what's all affected etc. As he's describing what isn't working, I'm realizing he's laid out nearly Half of the RV.

So I check his panel, thinking perhaps this could be a bad breaker or a bad bus. Panel seemed perfectly fine. Square D panel, looked in good condition, no signs of arcing--but the voltages were Way off. Half of what's necessary exactly. He told me he had already replaced the converter twice, thinking that was the problem so when maintenance told him it was the RV panel, he believed them. I asked if he had replaced the cord or had issues with the cord, he said he hadn't. Now I'm wondering if maintenance Really checked the panel. This had gone from an estimation visit to a service investigation.

I explained what I think is going on and asked permission to shut off the RV panel while I checked the park panel and cord. He was fine with it so I went to investigate. His cord looked pristine, no arc signs, copper was nice and bright, no corrosion at all. Checking the park panel though the 20 & 30 amp breakers/outlets read perfectly, 212 volts phase to phase (208V service) and 122 volts phase to neutral & ground. The 50 amp outlet read the same as the panel inside--roughly half of the voltage necessary. So I checked the 50 amp breakers...one phase was normal, the other, next to Nothing. Those Dirty little...

I close everything back up and go report my findings. Asked the client for clarity who was responsible for the panel Outside. His answer was the Park. I explained what I found and how I found it and that the maintenance Actually needed to replace their breaker that feeds his RV and why instead of replacing his RV panel. I suggested him asking maintenance to replace that breaker, see if that solves his issue, if not, then I'll send him a quote for the RV panel--but I was Certain it was going to be the park's breaker or perhaps the panel bus. Either way, the park was responsible, not this client. He said he would talk to maintenance but he would have to wait until later because he had other things he needed to attend. He asked what was bill and I simply made it a service call charge at a slight discount as he was a retired man and had the maintenance did their due diligence, I would never been called in the first place. He was very happy with that but the best part was when he told me he was glad I actually wanted to Help him, not just make money off of him. The Second best part was when he texted me and said maintenance replaced that breaker--and his power was Completely restored and he could use his AC again!

Was a wonderful feeling being able to not just help someone with their electrical needs, but save them money as well. Not all of us are out to take everything you got. And eliminating electrical evil includes fighting faulty information by those who are supposed to Help you in the first place. Asking a few questions, taking some time to research can truly help someone's needs instead of jumping to someone's hearsay to a faulty solution. That's the old retail lessons still in me from years ago. That truly was one of the most satisfying visits--and I didn't even make money on it. But the Appreciation and Happiness from this client is Priceless. That, is what made me choose the electrical trade in the first place.

Have a good weekend.