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NCMODELA's avatar
NCMODELA
Explorer
Sep 12, 2014

Static Charge on trailer

Hi all. I put the low amp charger on the battery on the camper today and noticed after awhile that there was a charge on the trailer because anywhere there is metal I would get a small shock. Is this common? Is this bad or not and where would I start to seeing a fix for it.

The only other time it did this was when the slide motor stuck and the motor would just run but not go anywhere.

Thanks
bill

42 Replies

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  • hddecker's avatar
    hddecker
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    It is very common for metal under a tower to become charged, 99% of the time it's no problem, the 1% can sit you on your backside or worse.

    I had a project that required the building of a steel structure, because I was right at the edge of massive power line, we consulted with the power authority. It took us all of ten seconds to figure it would be a lot easier to relocate the project.
  • NCMODELA's avatar
    NCMODELA
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    I drove a rod in the ground hooked cables to it and no more charge. Take cables away and there is a charge..almost instant. That is crazy would never had thought of that...thank you so much for your help
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    NCMODELA wrote:
    Is the fact that I'm charging the battery making it worse?


    It can be complicating the issue. If the charger were to be providing a conductive path from the DC(--) lead to 120VAC 3rd prong, that would be providing a wanted conductive path from the TT frame to 120 VAC GROUND/EARTH which would help hide the issue. Best thing would be to have the RV 30AMP plugged into 120VAC at all times when parked as you are IF it is indeed a high tension issue.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    Is your drive way asphalt or concrete? They would not be conductive (normally) so the above would not work. The RV chassis needs to be connected to a CONDUCTIVE EARTH. Even if you plug the RV 30AMP plug into a properly grounded 120VAC outlet it will stop the problem.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    NCMODELA wrote:
    Dang. You learn something new everyday. It take it that it doesn't help the young is on a piece of wood.

    Is this dangerous or when I pull it out it will be okay?


    Take a set of jumper cables and temporarily connect the RV frame to a Temporary Ground Rod (of some kind) and then remove the wood from under the tongue jack. If necessary replace the wooden platform with a metal platform if the soil is such that the jack is going to be driven into the soil too far. Once complete you can remove the Temporary Ground Rod connection.
  • NCMODELA's avatar
    NCMODELA
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    Dang. You learn something new everyday. It take it that it doesn't help the young is on a piece of wood.

    Is this dangerous or when I pull it out it will be okay?
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    NCMODELA wrote:
    The charger does have a third prong and so does the extension cord....

    The camper is under some transfer line electrical wires....high tension, could that cause it?


    Yes, a metal conductor (an Aluminum RV skin included) isolated from EARTH GROUND will act like an capacitance plate between the high tension wires and EARTH.

    Normally it would not be noticed IF the hitch jack provides a conductive path from the skin/frame to a conductive EARTH ground.
  • NCMODELA's avatar
    NCMODELA
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    The charger does have a third prong and so does the extension cord....

    The camper is under some transfer line electrical wires....high tension, could that cause it?

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