We were camping this past week in Lancaster County Pa and had a very bad storm roll through on Tuesday and had a lightning strike about 15 ft in front of our motorhome. It blew off the cover from the fuse panel and tripped three breakers. After resetting the tripped breakers the only thing that appeared damaged was the Monitor panel is now lit as if I'm holding the test switch on. After the storm we went out in our car and found the stability control light is on, the tire pressure monitor light is on, the electric steering assist is not working, the speedometer is not working, and the drivers side mirror looks like it is growing crystals like frost on your windows in the winter. I guess it could have been worse

Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity...

M GO BLUE wrote:Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity...Plugged in or nor a lightening strike within 15' is gonna do damage. Last year in Ohio a lightening strike took out 3 cars at a state park campground . They all smelled like a burnt light ballast. Glad no one was hurt.

jules6 wrote:We were camping this past week in Lancaster County Pa and had a very bad storm roll through on Tuesday and had a lightning strike about 15 ft in front of our motorhome.Man, bet that got your attention! :E Glad you got off so easy.

M GO BLUE wrote:Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity... While this is a good idea in general to prevent a surge from flowing to your unit through the power line; sometimes from a strike miles away, it would have little effect on a strike 15ft away. The electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from the lightning bolt (LEMP) generates a tremendous current flow in all wiring exposed to the pulse. One of the common tests on military vehicles is Near Strike Lightning testing. An artificial lightning bolt is discharged near the vehicle to verify that the vehicle wiring is hardened to handle the pulse. In my opinion the OP got off lightly and it could have been far worse.

Jules, I do a lot of work on sailboats. (You those lightening rods floating out in the big flat bay?)First, Contact you insurance carrier for both the car and the coach. It sounds like your car was hit for 3~4K$ (No Joke). It should be covered by your comprehensive.The fact that you only know about the monitor panel in the coach just means that that is all you have found so far. I would also worry about anything else that has semi-conductors in it(just about everything). Like the converter, the inverter, the GPS and any radios or television stuff. Check it all out as best you can and if something seems to be different than it used to be, put it on the list as well. The strangest is things like wheel bearings that got lit up and now have burned places.Lightening stories available here for as long as the beer keeps coming. Matt

Lightning | Good Sam Community

fpresto
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
M GO BLUE wrote:
Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity...

While this is a good idea in general to prevent a surge from flowing to your unit through the power line; sometimes from a strike miles away, it would have little effect on a strike 15ft away. The electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from the lightning bolt (LEMP) generates a tremendous current flow in all wiring exposed to the pulse. One of the common tests on military vehicles is Near Strike Lightning testing. An artificial lightning bolt is discharged near the vehicle to verify that the vehicle wiring is hardened to handle the pulse. In my opinion the OP got off lightly and it could have been far worse.
D___M
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
jules6 wrote:
We were camping this past week in Lancaster County Pa and had a very bad storm roll through on Tuesday and had a lightning strike about 15 ft in front of our motorhome.

Man, bet that got your attention! :E Glad you got off so easy.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2013
M GO BLUE wrote:
Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity...

Plugged in or nor a lightening strike within 15' is gonna do damage. Last year in Ohio a lightening strike took out 3 cars at a state park campground . They all smelled like a burnt light ballast. Glad no one was hurt.
M_GO_BLUE1
Explorer
Jun 21, 2013
Any lightning in your area in the future immediately unhook from electricity...

Forum Discussion

Lightning

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Ford 150 lightning recall

MotorTrend F150 Lightning Tow Test

F150 Lightning Road Trip & Ike Gauntlet Pull

Lightning Protection

Ford F150 Lightning Started Deliveries