C-750 Runabout Electrical Question

[cruthas]

I had some rot issues under the jacks of my 1989 Sunline Runabout truck camper so I started tackling it last night. It was going great until I saw a wire hanging down. It looked like it had been cut before so I assumed it didn't go to anything and cut a good portion of it off. When I plugged the camper in after I was done my work the extension cord sparked and turned black, tripping the breaker inside of my house. When I unplugged the extension cord from the camper, the adaptor prongs that had been plugged into the extension cord looked like they had ben dragged on the ground. I tried flipping the breaker inside my home several times and trying to plug the camper in with no luck. I never had an issue until now. I attached a couple photos. Wondering if what I cut was the ground and hoping you guys have suggestions on how to reground and fix it. I don't have much of an electrical background but with the right guidance I can make due. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

How far back I cut
http://detourdispatches.com/img/photo_2.JPG

What I cut
http://detourdispatches.com/img/image.jpeg

It should be know that this piece of copper was just hanging down loosely attached with one screw and looked like someone had already cut it once. I've owned it for about a month.

Thanks!

[Reddog1]

Great, hopefully it is all good now. Happy camping.

Wayne

[cruthas]

Reddog1 wrote:
I am not an electrician, but have done lots of residential wiring. I do not think that wire is used. As I recall, years ago the wire was connected to the gas pipe. I think it is no longer done that way. My TC is a 1988, and it does not use that ground wire. It does use the three wires from the extension cord, as does yours. Black is hot as yours is now wired. It connects to the service bar that feeds your breakers. White is neutral and connects to the other white wires at the terminal block. The ground (copper non-insulated) connects to a block with all other copper wires. The copper wire hanging outside is no longer used. to be of any value, it would have to be connected to a ground rod eight feet long, driven in the ground, or equal. Personally, I would disconnect it from the propane line. That is probably why it was cut off.

I think you are wired correctly now. Do you still trip the breaker? Do you know if the receptacles in the TC have the correct polarity?

Wayne

Hey Wayne,

The lightning rod ground makes sense. Everything is working correctly no breaker trip and correct polarity throughout. Thanks very much for the help!

[Reddog1]

I am not an electrician, but have done lots of residential wiring. I do not think that wire is used. As I recall, years ago the wire was connected to the gas pipe. I think it is no longer done that way. My TC is a 1988, and it does not use that ground wire. It does use the three wires from the extension cord, as does yours. Black is hot as yours is now wired. It connects to the service bar that feeds your breakers. White is neutral and connects to the other white wires at the terminal block. The ground (copper non-insulated) connects to a block with all other copper wires. The copper wire hanging outside is no longer used. to be of any value, it would have to be connected to a ground rod eight feet long, driven in the ground, or equal. Personally, I would disconnect it from the propane line. That is probably why it was cut off.

I think you are wired correctly now. Do you still trip the breaker? Do you know if the receptacles in the TC have the correct polarity?

Wayne

[cruthas]

Here is a better image of the ground wire issue. I don't have a steel frame or at least one that is exposed I can attach it to. You can see the gas line that the ground wire followed before I mistakenly cut it. The ground wire ended at elbow and looked like it had previously been cut. Any ideas on the best spot to ground it?



Please do not exceed the maximum photo width 640.

Posting pictures within text messages

[ticki2]

I am not sure about that ground lug on the gas line , I don't think it is even needed in an RV , but I am no electrician . I have seen that done in houses but it was on a water line , don't think I'd be comfortable with it on the gas line . Perhaps someone more knowledgeable will chime in or check with an RV tech near you .

[cruthas]

ticki2 wrote:
That's the one .

It worked! Thanks so much for the help!

I have one final question which brought me here in the first place. I rewired the ground I cut but like I said it was just hanging and not tired to anything when I cut it. It was just wrapped around the copper gas line. I am not really sure what to do with it now or where to ground it. I imagine it would attached to the siding wherever I can attach it? Just want to make sure and double check as this whole electrical work has gotten me more familiar with the dangers. Plus my fiance won't go near the thing until it's completely fixed 😕

Here are a few more photos of the ground wire I am talking about.

Old cut ground
http://detourdispatches.com/img/ground/old_ground.jpg

New ground refastened to the gas line clamp
http://detourdispatches.com/img/ground/new_ground.jpg

Hanging ground
http://detourdispatches.com/img/ground/new_ground_hanging.jpg

Hanging ground again
http://detourdispatches.com/img/ground/new_angle.jpg


Thanks again for all the help!

[ticki2]

That's the one .

[cruthas]

ticki2 wrote:


Yes that wire is the issue . The disconnected black wire belongs in the single screw lug near the top right of the breaker . NOT on the white wire bus .

Just double checking I have the right one:

[ticki2]

cruthas wrote:
Could this be the issue?

Looks like the black wire is completely disconnected from the breaker box. I imagine it should go back in the top slot? There is a white wire in the top slot already, however....

Yes that wire is the issue . The disconnected black wire belongs in the single screw lug near the top right of the breaker . NOT on the white wire bus .

[cruthas]

Sorry, I put an arrow to the slot I am assuming. I uploaded a better picture too. The disconnected black wire is from the cord that connects power to the camper from my house, I believe it's the 30 Amp cord.
http://detourdispatches.com/img/photo_bigger.jpg

[Reddog1]

Is your reference to the "top slot" mean the breaker?

Typically, is residential wiring (120-volt) uses the black as the hot wire, and the white as the neutral. If I understand correctly, in the photo the black wires go to the breakers and the white wires go to the metal block.

Simple answer to your question, if the white wire is in the breaker, and the black touches the metal block, it is probably your problem. Just reverse the wires.

[cruthas]

Could this be the issue?

Looks like the black wire is completely disconnected from the breaker box. I imagine it should go back in the top slot? There is a white wire in the top slot already, however....

[Reddog1]

Great. Be it motorcycle, TC, or auto, the principal is the same. It really can be your best friend for locating your problem without connecting to 120-volts. Much safer.

[cruthas]

Reddog1 wrote:
My bet is it will be very simple when you find the problem. Finding it may not be so simple. :B

You have not commented on my suggestion of using an Ohm meter. This suggest to me you have not used one. I really encourage you to look into Ohm meters, they can be your best friend. The basic use will be of great value to you. If you have access to Harbor Freight, the meter is as cheap as $3 on sale. It also has a volt meter, AC and DC. A very valuable tool, even in the cheap (inexpensive) versions.

Luckily I have an ohm meter at home so I will definitely try it. Only used it on a motorcycle so it'll be interesting figuring it out on the camper.