Hello guys
While working on exterior body (I was touching the body with my shoulder while my hand rested on the ground), I noticed what seemed to be a small burn on my skin. I took a voltage measure at body : it was nearly 14 VAC! (I was on shore power). After disconnecting shore power, no more voltage. Did the same test with inverter set to OFF (inside and outside): same result (note: I *think* that the inverter was set to off but the inverter control panel inside bedroom closet still showed red lights, maybe it's normal). Does it indicate some bad contact somewhere? Did anybody experience such a thing at some time?
Thank you for your help
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Patrick,
This will happen when you lose ground on shore power. Check your cords and shore power outlet to make sure you have a good and proper ground. Also check for corroded and/or overheated connection on your shore power and where the shore power cord connects to the coach.
This will happen when you lose ground on shore power. Check your cords and shore power outlet to make sure you have a good and proper ground. Also check for corroded and/or overheated connection on your shore power and where the shore power cord connects to the coach.
John
'95 Serengeti, Cummins C8.3-300
Allison 6spd.
'95 Serengeti, Cummins C8.3-300
Allison 6spd.
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
You need to VERIFY the shore power outlet for correct polarity and ground.
Let us know if this is a 50 amp or 30 amp outlet and with your voltmeter you can check it in 15 seconds.
Until then, UNPLUG!
Let us know if this is a 50 amp or 30 amp outlet and with your voltmeter you can check it in 15 seconds.
Until then, UNPLUG!
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
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- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 6:08 pm
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
You have a hot skin voltage, in the words of Mike Spool over at rvtravel.com: if you feel ANY kind of shock from your RV, unplug from shore power immediately and find the problem. Remember, the next shock you get could be your last, so don’t ignore any electrical tingles you might feel, no matter how small they seem at first.
Starting point: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity ... wJs6ayEEfk
Starting point: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity ... wJs6ayEEfk
Tom
97 Sahara 3550
3126 CAT 300hp
97 Sahara 3550
3126 CAT 300hp
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Thank you for your help John, Brett and Tom. After verification, my brother and I found that his garage is not grounded (I was connected to an outlet of his garage). Probably caused by squirrels, racoons or other rodents that swarm here in the country. Finally a problem that is not related to my motorhome!
Thanks again
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Thanks again
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
You will still want to verify the outlet for POLARITY as well as good ground.
Let us know if you are plugged into a 15,30 or 50 amp outlet AND if you have a voltmeter.
Let us know if you are plugged into a 15,30 or 50 amp outlet AND if you have a voltmeter.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Do yourself and your brother a favor and buy a ground rod. Drive it into the ground where you CAN provide a ground for the garage. It could be deadly to continue the way you are. A good hardware store should be able to supply all you need to drive the rod below the surface and attach a wire to it running back over to the distribution box in the garage. While you're at it, check the panel in his house to verify it's properly grounded. It sounds like the ground wire somewhere the wires going to the garage did not have their ground wire connected. That's good way to kill someone who trusted outlets with the third "ground" prong were actually properly grounded. If you're RV had a GFI, you would never get it to work and there's a very good reason why is shouldn't.
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Well I left this morning my brother's home with my Safari (with its new alternator) but for your info Brett, I was connected on 15A (standard electrical outlet). I will definitely let my brother know all you told me Brett, John, Tom and Don!
Thanks again to all of you
Patrick
Thanks again to all of you
Patrick
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Standard 15 amp outlet:
Short vertical= HOT
Long vertical= NEUTRAL
Round= Ground.
Short vertical= HOT
Long vertical= NEUTRAL
Round= Ground.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Re: While on shore power, voltage on motorhome body
Good article on this website:
"No~Shock~Zone"
RV Electrical Safety: Part IV – Hot Skin
Understanding and Preventing RV Electrical Damage
http://noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-sa ... -hot-skin/
Are “Little” Shocks OK?
http://noshockzone.org/are-little-shocks-ok/
Hot Skin RV proximity test full scale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8h64X33aKg
"No~Shock~Zone"
RV Electrical Safety: Part IV – Hot Skin
Understanding and Preventing RV Electrical Damage
http://noshockzone.org/rv-electrical-sa ... -hot-skin/
Are “Little” Shocks OK?
http://noshockzone.org/are-little-shocks-ok/
Hot Skin RV proximity test full scale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8h64X33aKg
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System