Getting Zapped - Electrical Current mystery

[Sebber83]

Hey Folks,
Going on a month now with my new Denali BH311 and I recently noticed that when parked at home and plugged in (with adapter) I am getting electrical current in certain areas. The most noticeable area is the handle and locker knobs for the outdoor kitchen. The bolts on the hitch receiver on the back bumper is also another area.

When unplugged and on battery power only, the current is not present. And to be honest, I never really noticed it when parked at a campsite on 30amp!!

I figure it might be a loose ground, but with only 4 days until an upcoming 10 day trip, i don't really have time to bring it to the dealer, any ideas on where to look for the problem.

Suggestions please!

[eRVm]

Mine does that. My son is an Electrician by trade and now an Electrical Designer. He told me, until he has time to look at the problem, to ground the trailer frame. My RV cover is metal, so I ran a piece of 12 ga. wire(with alligator clips) from one of the metal post to the trailer. No more tingling shock.

[Sebber83]

Originally Posted by admin

Mine does that. My son is an Electrician by trade and now an Electrical Designer. He told me, until he has time to look at the problem, to ground the trailer frame. My RV cover is metal, so I ran a piece of 12 ga. wire(with alligator clips) from one of the metal post to the trailer. No more tingling shock.

Good idea! I will go get some wiring and ground it. My TT is parked right beside my house and very near my electrical meter, I am sure I can found a ground point in that area!

[grump010]

Make sure you don't play with the propane while the trailer is plugged in unless you have a ground connected, an errant arc / spark could lead to a bad day in paradise. Another easy method to use in a pinch would be vehicle booster cables.

Daryl B.

[Sebber83]

Originally Posted by grump010

Make sure you don't play with the propane while the trailer is plugged in unless you have a ground connected, an errant arc / spark could lead to a bad day in paradise. Another easy method to use in a pinch would be vehicle booster cables.

Daryl B.

Thanks! I will be checking this weekend once at our site if still get the tingling factor! I am thinking it might be something with using the adaptor as opposed to straight 30amp because so the life of me I am pretty sure i never felt the current when out camping, plus when i unplug the trailer it stops, even though the battery is still supplying current!

[Wanderer]

It probably is not the adapter. I would check your plug connection at your house to make sure it is properly grounded. I carry a small circuit tester and use it every time I go to a new park. It verifies the polarity as well.

[Sebber83]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

It probably is not the adapter. I would check your plug connection at your house to make sure it is properly grounded. I carry a small circuit tester and use it every time I go to a new park. It verifies the polarity as well.

I figured out the mystery today! The extension cord I was using from the plug inside the garage to my TT connection had the ground pin removed. I should have checked that first. The cord was left behind by one of the contractors when they built the house 2 years ago and I had been using it for small things like my skill saw or sawzall. When I set up my connection in the spring with my old trailer, i must have used the cord by accident and never unplugged it to check!

Since I now have 4 x 25 feet cords for 30 Amp, i used 2 to run straight from the plug inside the garage to the trailer and ... no more current!!!

Sometimes the stupidest little things take for ever to figure out!

[FlyingDutchmen]

man. Now when your wife does her hair it should stay where she put it, & not standing on end

[Sebber83]

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchmen

man. Now when your wife does her hair it should stay where she put it, & not standing on end

Lol! When I was wondering why I was only getting the current at home... then I figured the only difference between at home and at whatever site I am at is that stupid cord!

[Wanderer]

Glad you found it!

[knesdad]

Shocking, isn't it!!!