shocking!

[oneofakind]

I have a 21 foot avion travel trailer that was converted into a motor home by 'mounting' and marrying it with a 1970 Ford E300. We are having an issue - it is shocking you when you touch it if it rains or are standing on wet ground, mostly the door handle but you can get a shock almost anywhere on the shell if it is raining - does anyone have any advice on where to begin the search for the problem or what the problem might be.

[road-runner]

If you get the shock when plugged into shore power, there is only one thing certain, that the frame of the RV is not grounded via the shore power cord. The problem could be that the outlet isn't properly grounded, or that the ground wire of the shore power cord isn't connected to the RV frame. Nothing else is indicated by this shock, as a correctly wired RV will give a mild shock if it's not grounded. There could be an additional wiring problem, but you have to get the ground fixed first. Best to not use the RV until the fix is made.

[pastorbillv]

Had that on my BBQ trailer. First, it probably only happens when you are connected to shore power, right? If you haven't changed anything (receptacle wiring, power cords or wiring on power cords), then the next question is - does it happen *wherever* (not just home) you connect to shore power? If so, then check your power cord first, then the receptacle on your trailer, then the house receptacle. When you check the male/female connections -Are there any burn marks? That's often a telling sign!

I'd open both ends of your power cord and look for a disconnected ground in the cord wiring. Just to be safe, I'd disconnect, clean (if necessary), and reconnect the wires in your cord. Make sure the color codes match too!

When you check your receptacle boxes - first on the trailer, then on your house - also open, check/reconnect, wires.

My BBQ trailer was wired wrong. But, afterwards, I also had a time when connecting/disconnecting the power cord loosened up the connections in the cord and the ground was loose. I noticed it every time I went to check tire pressure! I'd touch the valve stem and get a very minor tingling shock.

It's usually the most obvious place - the cord and its connections.

Good luck!
Bill

[Boatycall]

I do electrical, you have one of a few things that it is--
(In order of what i would say is most likely)

* Since you say this is a modified RV, they very well could have redone your shore power cord, and it could be wired with hot on the wrong side---I feel this is your most likely issue.
* The outlet you're plugging into is backwards.
* Your neutral line is bad, forcing current to now pass through the ground wire, leaving either the ground wire, or you, to ground the trailer

In any case, as Time2Roll mentioned, get an outlet tester and it will tell you

[noteven]

Is the unit near high tension power lines?
Clicky

[SidecarFlip]

It takes very little current to stop your heart, like milliamps. Whatever you do, never allow the current to pass through your heart. That will be the end.

Ground the unit with a copper plated ground rod driven at least 4 feet into the earth (available at hardware stores or Lowes) and ground the unit with a solid copper wire physically bolted to the body and only then start your search.

[time2roll]

Start with a 3 light outlet tester. First check the source. Then check some outlets in the RV.

[Z-Peller]

So it only happens when you are plugged into shore power or have inverter turned on??..... you have a short in the 110v system somewhere and power is going into the trailer frame and skin. Attach a ground wire to skin or frame and drive a ground rod into the dirt until you figure out what is going on. When you touch the trailer you are becoming the ground for the current to travel through since the rig is on rubber tires so insulated. Very dangerous as you could get full shot of 110v which can kill. Best not to use shore power or inverter until you get it figured out and corrected.