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Anyone had this condition before?

TheGriswolds
Explorer
Explorer
We have a Keystone Cougar that we bought new in January and love so far but the other day while in the driveway prepping for a trip I discovered something very strange. While the electrical was hooked up to my house (15 amp) to run the fridge and charge the battery a little I was inspecting the outside and washing some bug spots off the trailer. While my hands were around the bottom of the frame area I could swear I felt a little electric current, like a really weak electric fence. Not alarming but enough to get my attention. I also felt I could detect it when checking torque on the lug nuts when the wrench was on some of the nuts, and when putting the adnode (sp?) rod into the water heater. How big of a deal do you think this is? I'm calling the dealer soon anyway since it is under warranty just to bounce it off them but I figured I'd see what you guys thought.
2011 F-250 Supercrew 4x4
2013 Keystone Cougar 31 SQB
20 REPLIES 20

24rules
Explorer
Explorer
I would first try a different drop cord then if that does not fix it take the tester that you were showed and plug that into the drop cord if there are any configuration of test light besides two yellow then take that same tester and plug it into the outlet that the drop cord was plugged in to and again if any lights other than 2 yellow then your house outlet has a issue and if you know nothing about house wiring then I would suggest hiring someone that does

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
dodge guy wrote:
Ground issue. Feels weird huh?! now imagine that X1000!!! :E


Not that i'm proud of it but i shocked myself real good one time while working on an outlet that was live. Someone was using a power tool on the same ckt, which created a good load. I had a cold at the time (which is my excuse for not thinking it through to begin with!). Anyway i grounded real good and you can feel that electricity flow through your entire body. The funny (well not really) part is within an hour that cold was completely gone! And it was a bad cold too!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II
Yep, Home Depot.
Link
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ground issue. Feels weird huh?! now imagine that X1000!!! :E
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

TheGriswolds
Explorer
Explorer
Yep, I looked for a receptacle tester. At Home Depot they had two kinds, the one I bought will test GFCI circuits, which is what I needed. It cost $8.98.
2011 F-250 Supercrew 4x4
2013 Keystone Cougar 31 SQB

dan-nickie
Explorer
Explorer
It's typically called either an Outlet or Receptacle Tester.
You can find them at most any hardware store or many other department stores.
Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart or online Amazon etc.
They are a very common item.
Dan and Nickie
2014 Forest River Berkshire 390RB

dixontravelstar
Explorer
Explorer
and where did you purchase it at?
2011 Laredo 291TG
2007 GMC Sierra VortecMax

thylton
Explorer
Explorer
dan-nickie wrote:
Probably the house circuit wired wrong.
Pick up one of these testers and use it wherever you plug in.


What kind of tester is this?

dan-nickie
Explorer
Explorer
Should be an easy fix.
Turn off breaker in house. Test to make sure with your new tester.
Swap the black and white wires in the outlet.

Check every campground outlet before plugging in also.
You might need a 30 to 15 amp adapter if you don't already have one..
Dan and Nickie
2014 Forest River Berkshire 390RB

TheGriswolds
Explorer
Explorer
Checked it tonight and the outlet showed up as "hot/neut reverse". Time to fix the outlet, or call an electrician. At least it isn't a trailer problem, although now that I have this tool I will check all the interior outlets at our next camping trip.
Thanks
2011 F-250 Supercrew 4x4
2013 Keystone Cougar 31 SQB

Chuck_Gail
Explorer
Explorer
But DO get it fixed, it CAN kill you in the "right" circumstances.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded

Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories


I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going

workhardplayha1
Explorer
Explorer
dan-nickie wrote:
Probably the house circuit wired wrong.
Pick up one of these testers and use it wherever you plug in.


X2

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II
Agreed on the ground. Check to make sure your extension cord and any adapters still have the ground lug on them. Also get one of the testers shown above and check out the plugs in the garage, on the extension cord, and in the trailer.
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
dan-nickie wrote:
Probably the house circuit wired wrong.
Pick up one of these testers and use it wherever you plug in.


Agree. This IS the best little tool to use easily to find out if you have an open ground which is what it sounds like. And YES it can be dangerous because you or a small child will and can become the ground.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.