Metal camper step shocked my dog!

[thomaskemper]

I realize that I have an electrical issue, as sometimes I get a little shock when I step into the cabin wearing no shoes. My dog got shocked on the wet step last night, and it really traumatized her.

I know electrical issues are a whole can-of-worms, but I wonder if anyone might have some tips and directions about me feeling my way through a repair. The last thing I want (of course) is my home burning down. If there is a short, how do I go about finding it?! I've had to dig into a wire harness before on my motorcycle, and so I know it's tough, but how are RVs wired?

I have a 1988 Toyota Dolphin. Two breakers that run 1) the AC, and 2) the outlets. I also have one solar-panel with four storage batteries that run the lights and water-pump.

So how would electricity be getting into the body of the truck? (For those of you who are concerned about my dog's well-being, know that I have installed a rubber mat on the step, so once I can get her over her PTSD and into the cabin through that door, she is not going to get shocked.)

I appreciate this forum and I hope that someone can help me solve this serious issue before I take off for a 2200 mile journey in three weeks (September 1st).

Thanks for any and all help.

~Thomas

[thomaskemper]

enblethen wrote:
Have you tested your receptacle where you are plugged in? Verify that it has a good ground.

The ground at shore is good, the ground from the receptacle is good, and the ground to the panel is good. It's a frickin mystery.

I'm going to look into how to test the polarity of this stuff shortly, or when I get a minute. Working now...

[enblethen]

Have you tested your receptacle where you are plugged in? Verify that it has a good ground.

[thomaskemper]

OK, here's a new twist: I tested with shore power, and with all the appliances running, including the AC, the refrigerator, and my 400W amplifier, and it tested high, as per my usual tests. I also tested with a neighbor's extension, and it was the same. But now I have tested with the generator running, the original cord of mine, and all the appliances above running, and... 2.5V. Also, 2.5 without the AC and amp. So, this is odd and unexpected. ?? Also, I checked the ground-to-frame, and it's intact. This is all new wiring, too.

[time2roll]

How about a standard outlet tester?

[westend]

Oh, and I am using a standard multi-meter.

Does this "standard" meter have a swinging needle or a digital read out? Can you share the brand and model number of the meter?

If the voltage rises as different devices are powered, the most likely suspect is the shore cord. Is yours in good shape? I seem to remember from the one image that you posted that it may have had the male end replaced. It looked like that replacement end is a standard 120 V 15 amp end. If this is the case, a replacement molded 30 amp shore cord from Walmart (or similar) is not that much expense. You would also need a dog-bone adapter to plug into an extension cord or household receptacle. This is the standard setup for your Dolphin, AFAIK.

If replacing the shore cord, you will need to know how to wire it into the Dolphin correctly and enlisting an electrician or learned friend would be best.

Also, I see what appears to be an extension cord run through the door opening in your last image. What is that about?

[thomaskemper]

rjxj wrote:
pic

Drag drop or select from your computer

Highlight the stuff in the box

Copy the highlighted

Paste it on the page here in your thread

Sometimes it may load slowly for me

[azrving]

pic

Drag drop or select from your computer

Highlight the stuff in the box

Copy the highlighted

Paste it on the page here in your thread

Sometimes it may load slowly for me

[Naio]

To post pictures, go to the Forum Technical Support sub-forum. There is a sticky there with a link. It is really easy to use.

[thomaskemper]

westend wrote:

ryoung wrote:
After reading 7 pages on this subject, I have decided that this guy is pulling your leg. Doesn't know the difference between volts and amps, nor what a GFCI is, etc.

What's worse you have been telling him how to troubleshoot the problem when he knows absolutely nothing about electricity. He admitted that himself. A very dangerous thing to be doing.

Only one or two gave him the correct advice, and that is to get a qualified person to find and repair the problem.

Sharing knowledge is great under the right circumstances, but this is not the time and place.

ryoung

ryoung wrote:
IMO, there is nothing that diminishes the overall value of a forum, more than someone wanting to dictate their agenda and then denigrate those who don't comply.

ryoung

If the voltage is only leaking when the amplifier is connected and powered, that would indicate the amplifier is the culprit. However, is the amplifier connected to the 120V system or is it DC powered? Somewhat puzzling is the measurement of 5V when nothing is being powered. Can you share what type of meter you are using?

The converter is the device that provides 12 V power to charge your battery and acts as a 12 V supply when connected to shore power to power lights, pumps, fans, etc. It is typically located behind a faceplate underneath the 120V load center.

With the questionability of the load center's ground connection, it may now be necessary to share some pictures. The ground wiring must be complete from the load center and shore cord to the trailer's frame.

Oh, and I am using a standard multi-meter.

[thomaskemper]

westend wrote:

ryoung wrote:
After reading 7 pages on this subject, I have decided that this guy is pulling your leg. Doesn't know the difference between volts and amps, nor what a GFCI is, etc.

What's worse you have been telling him how to troubleshoot the problem when he knows absolutely nothing about electricity. He admitted that himself. A very dangerous thing to be doing.

Only one or two gave him the correct advice, and that is to get a qualified person to find and repair the problem.

Sharing knowledge is great under the right circumstances, but this is not the time and place.

ryoung

ryoung wrote:
IMO, there is nothing that diminishes the overall value of a forum, more than someone wanting to dictate their agenda and then denigrate those who don't comply.

ryoung

If the voltage is only leaking when the amplifier is connected and powered, that would indicate the amplifier is the culprit. However, is the amplifier connected to the 120V system or is it DC powered? Somewhat puzzling is the measurement of 5V when nothing is being powered. Can you share what type of meter you are using?

The converter is the device that provides 12 V power to charge your battery and acts as a 12 V supply when connected to shore power to power lights, pumps, fans, etc. It is typically located behind a faceplate underneath the 120V load center.

With the questionability of the load center's ground connection, it may now be necessary to share some pictures. The ground wiring must be complete from the load center and shore cord to the trailer's frame.

The voltage is very low when just my power outlets are being used, goes up slightly with each appliance added (fan, computer, refrigerator), and then increases to 20V when the amp comes on. This is a powerful amplifier, and so I realize that it would pull more electricity, and therefore release more into the skin.

I tried to post pictures before, and this form would only allow a URL. I did not see a browse option. Otherwise, I would be happy to. Is there something I haven't found? Some other way to post photos? It seems pretty weird that this is what they want. I would post a screen-shot, but... I can't access my files!

Also, it bears mentioning that I am shutting the breakers down whenever I open anything. I'm not going anywhere near any wires that are hot. No way. And I have only been testing voltage on the body, so I am not in any danger there. The solar only powers the lights and water-pump, so I am not worried about that. But... should I be? I wouldn't think so.

I certainly will contact an electrician once I know what the problem is, and it becomes clear that a simple re-attachment of a ground wire, or some other safe thing, cannot be done to fix it. I'm not an idiot, even if I lose some words now and then due to the accident. It isn't severe.

Thanks as always for the help. Now if I can just figure out how to share files...

[Walaby]

Kinda interesting that this has been going on for awhile, and you've felt it for a while, but just now getting around to fixing it. Electricity is nothing to mess with. Me.. I would have been trying to fix it the minute I felt the shock. If you can't figure it out, it might be time to call a mobile RV tech.

Maybe he can also fix your A/C issue as well from the other thread.

Seems like when it rains, it pours. Sometimes it's better, cheaper and easier to get professional help. I like to fix things myself as well, but I know my limits.

Mike

[Jagtech]

Get it professionally checked, or check your liability insurance! That is a potentially lethal situation.

[azrving]

westend wrote:

ryoung wrote:
After reading 7 pages on this subject, I have decided that this guy is pulling your leg. Doesn't know the difference between volts and amps, nor what a GFCI is, etc.

What's worse you have been telling him how to troubleshoot the problem when he knows absolutely nothing about electricity. He admitted that himself. A very dangerous thing to be doing.

Only one or two gave him the correct advice, and that is to get a qualified person to find and repair the problem.

Sharing knowledge is great under the right circumstances, but this is not the time and place.

ryoung

ryoung wrote:
IMO, there is nothing that diminishes the overall value of a forum, more than someone wanting to dictate their agenda and then denigrate those who don't comply.

ryoung

lmao
West, yer good at more than just lectricity. 🙂

[westend]

ryoung wrote:
After reading 7 pages on this subject, I have decided that this guy is pulling your leg. Doesn't know the difference between volts and amps, nor what a GFCI is, etc.

What's worse you have been telling him how to troubleshoot the problem when he knows absolutely nothing about electricity. He admitted that himself. A very dangerous thing to be doing.

Only one or two gave him the correct advice, and that is to get a qualified person to find and repair the problem.

Sharing knowledge is great under the right circumstances, but this is not the time and place.

ryoung

ryoung wrote:
IMO, there is nothing that diminishes the overall value of a forum, more than someone wanting to dictate their agenda and then denigrate those who don't comply.

ryoung

If the voltage is only leaking when the amplifier is connected and powered, that would indicate the amplifier is the culprit. However, is the amplifier connected to the 120V system or is it DC powered? Somewhat puzzling is the measurement of 5V when nothing is being powered. Can you share what type of meter you are using?

The converter is the device that provides 12 V power to charge your battery and acts as a 12 V supply when connected to shore power to power lights, pumps, fans, etc. It is typically located behind a faceplate underneath the 120V load center.

With the questionability of the load center's ground connection, it may now be necessary to share some pictures. The ground wiring must be complete from the load center and shore cord to the trailer's frame.

[Naio]

I don't think you are trolling. You mentioned having some brain damage from an injury (or was that a joke?).

Anyway, there are plenty of people -- probably the majority -- who know as little about electricity as you do. I am not far ahead of you :).

But I agree that you should not be messing with this stuff alone. At the very least you should have a spotter. And a friend who knows a bit about the subject would be better, assuming you do not have money to hire a pro.