Hi All - So I am having a a very strange semi-hot skin issue ( for those wondering Hot Skin is often referred to when you get an electrical shock from the trailer ). My issue is I am getting a tiny, tiny buzz that you can only feel on very tender skin ( back of thigh etc ) from one of the dinette bench seats, the metal framing, not the cushion. I have tried to recreate it with any other of the metal surfaces, other seats etc with no luck. I have also tried to pick up voltage with both AC and DC on the multi meter, again no luck. It makes no difference if we are plugged into shore power or running on inverted battery power, day or night does not seem to make a difference, I say that as we have 1600 watts of PV panels on the roof. Has anyone ever seen anything like this ? Any more testing ideas ? This is in a Tahoe Transport WTB 28 Toy Hauler. Thanks in advance

You have a ground issue somewhere.

Suggest you find a skilled electrical person to help you find the cause. Jerry Parr602-321-8141

IMHO even though it's tiny now skin-shocks can go critical fast.Multi-meter / AC amps 10 amp setting while measuring the following outside the rig.WEAR A PAIR OF DRY KITCHEN SCRUB GLOVES !Stick one probe into wet earth then scratch the other probe into bright aluminum somewhere on the skin.Look at the meter reading as you scratch the 2nd probe to the skin because now you are making a better contact between line to ground. If you get an amperage value note it then disconnect shore power. One amp of 120 vac can kill you in one second.

Flute Man wrote:Suggest you find a skilled electrical person to help you find the cause. Jerry Parrxxx-xxx-xxxxJerry,I HIGHLY recommend your remove your phone number from your posts, even if is "published". Makes it much easier for scammers/spammers to call you..Too much unneeded "information", not a smart thing to do out on the wobbly web.If you want a forum member to have your number or to contact you, it is much better to use the forum Private Messaging (PM) system.

There are a few "Suspects"Step one is obtain a 3LT (3 Light outlet Tester) Plug it in to a non-inverter outlet anywhere in/on the RV.. NOTE non GFCI is also good but may not matter.You shoudl see two GREEN lights on most I'm guessing you will see ONE. (Showing open ground) (Note not all use green lights). And if your unit has ONE red light it should be dark But that's suspect 2Once you have the results we can assist you.. You can also do these tests with a multi-meter but for 10 bucks. a 3LT is nice and very very fast.Get a 15-30 "Puck" type adapter (not a dog bone) and when you pull into a 30 amp site plug the 3LT in via the PUCK. in fact leave it plugged into the puck for storage.. Quick check of park

Strange "Hot Skin" Electrical Issue - Getting minor Shocks

pianotuna
Nomad III
May 12, 2019
Since the problem exists without any shore power it may be time for a brute force solution?

Coat the frame with a rubber based paint. Something similar to the materials available for creating handles on tools?
Harvard
Explorer
May 12, 2019
Harvard wrote:
time2roll wrote:
+1 for some inductive transmission. ..... Try grounding that seat frame to the RV chassis. ....

I believe the seat metal frame is bonded to the chassis.
The chassis is in turn has a path to Earth via:
1. Capacitive Coupling and/or
2. Jacks and/or
3. AC GROUND.

The source of the AC voltage passing through his body is probably a capacitive coupling to a nearby (overhead) 6000 VAC transmission line. He did say it happens even when there is no 120VAC to the TT.
cavie
Explorer
May 12, 2019
jkwilson wrote:
To feel a shock from the electrical service, you have to touch two points with different voltages. Could be damp earth or other metal parts of the RV. What other conductor are you touching when the frame shocks you?

OP is not touching any wires. Op is touching the metal frame of his dinette seating per post #1
Flute_Man
Explorer
May 12, 2019
Thank you Gdetrailer for your concern about my phone number.
I’ve been on this forum for 15 years without much trouble.
I am a retired Electrical Engineer and do a lot of troubleshooting over the phone.
I want to make it easy for people to call me.

Jerry Parr
‘05 40’ Diesel Pusher
Executive45
Explorer III
May 12, 2019
Dup Post
Executive45
Explorer III
May 12, 2019
Tingling is usually caused by an open neutral and will only get worse until you really get shocked or worse. Start at your cord and work inward...good luck....Dennis
Harvard
Explorer
May 12, 2019
time2roll wrote:
+1 for some inductive transmission. ..... Try grounding that seat frame to the RV chassis. ....

I believe the seat metal frame is bonded to the chassis.
The chassis is in turn has a path to Earth via:
1. Capacitive Coupling and/or
2. Jacks and/or
3. AC GROUND.
time2roll
Nomad
May 12, 2019
+1 for some inductive transmission. You are feeling this when IN the RV right? Usually hot skin is when you are standing on the dirt outside and you lean on the RV. Try grounding that seat frame to the RV chassis. Otherwise you need to start eliminating things including moving location. Divide and conquer.
Harvard
Explorer
May 12, 2019
tr0y wrote:
Hi All -

..... from one of the dinette bench seats, the metal framing, not the cushion....

The source of the voltage is probably due to capacitive coupling. Your body is one plate of a capacitor and the metal frame is Chassis Ground. There is an AC field influencing your body. IMO.

Try touching the DVM AC Black lead to the frame and hold the AC Red lead in your hand, you should see some voltage.

Is the TT parked any where near an 6000VAC hi tension distribution? That could be the AC field influencing your body. I am assuming the TT is a non metallic structure.
mt1729
Explorer
May 12, 2019
I wouldn't think that the problem would be a grounding issue. You can ground out the power leakage so you won't get a shock alright but that doesn't fix the power leakage. Keep digging. Some of this stuff is hard to find even if you're an electrician. Testing from the trailer skin to the ground will only confirm what you already know. I would look for an outlet in your trailer that is wired backward or something plugged into an outlet that has the plug wired backward. Either one will somewhat electrify your trailer.

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