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Cruiseomatic's avatar
Cruiseomatic
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013

Electrical Phantoms

'06 Cavalier. 30 Amp service soon to be 50. Progressive Dynamics PD4560 dist. box.

Now for the weird and the question, Lol.
Everytime the converter is on my radios pickup tons of RFI and the television signal is lost(DTV). Pulled out the volt meter and did some reading: I have 34 VAC from chassis ground to 120 VAC ground. If I pull all DC grounds(Converter and chassis)and shut the converter down, I still have lights although very dim. Also, if the chassis ground rubs with the 120VAC ground wires on branch circuits, the converter sounds like it is arcing even though, the 120VAC ground is not connected. I did find one ground loop. Had a small gauge wire that was grounded somewhere but when disconnected, Has no effect on anything else. Tried to get a schematic from gulfstream and they're no help. If I probe the 120VAC neutral to ground with the ground pulled, I still have 34 VAC. Connected, 1.2VAC. If I kill every breaker there is no voltage. With every breaker I switch back on, The voltage goes up. I even have AC voltage at the converter output on or off. And by off, I shut the breaker off and checked with voltmeter. 0 Volts. Checked to see if any DC circuits were back feeding voltage, None are. What am I looking at here and what do I need to correct it? I'm fairly proficient with electricity. Thats also why I was "playing" in a live box. And even on my surge protectors that show if it is grounded, With the 120 VAC ground pulled, it still shows a weak ground. I did ground the aluminum body a while back and looks like I should have... Looked all down the chassis and see nowhere 120VAC should come into contact with it.
Also found out 30 VAC doesn't even tingle. Or I'm that used to it. If something doesnt make sense, Please let me know. This is REALLY confusing.
Thanks in advance.
Update: Did a continuity check across neutral and ground, Shows dead short. This is going through just the wire coming into the box, Not connected to any circuits. Although, My plug tester shows everything is fine.
  • There should be no continuity between the neutral and ground. Check power distribution panel for connection.
    The DC and AC ground are the same. Both should be connected to frame of the rig.
    Turn off all circuit breakers in the rig. Check at AC panel for proper connection to shore power. Test using Ohm meter with power cord unplugged from source. Check between each conductor for any resistance.
    Plug rig back in with all circuit breakers in rig shut off. Turn on main, check for issue, then turn on each branch breaker one at a time. to identify which circuit has the problem.
    It could be bad refer heating element of bad 120 volt heating element in water heater.
    Conversion from 30 to 50 amp? Has any work been started and why?
  • If you are unplugged from shore power you should not have continuity between neutral and ground. I would address that first.

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