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Topic Closedgrounding an R-pod - Event Date: 18 Mar 2017 - 31 Oct 2017

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Farrell View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: grounding an R-pod
    Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 4:34pm

Question...is there a way to ground the camper? Every time
I step onto the stairs, I can feel the electric current.
Thx!













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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 4:39pm
Originally posted by Farrell


Question...is there a way to ground the camper? Every time
I step onto the stairs, I can feel the electric current.
Thx!
You have a reversed power/neutral/ground on your shore power. Make sure the shore power outlet ground is actually ground, and that there is a connection between neutral and ground. Power should only be present on the hot lead (black wire inside the outlet).
bp
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 6:39pm
Yeah, this can be very serious.  GlueGuy is probably exactly right.  Either there is something wrong with the source of your electricity or the with your extension cord.  Are you plugged in at home or a campsite?

Feeling a tingle is bad, but with damp ground and bare feet the feeling could be a lot worse.  If a four-footed friend happened to touch the steps with its nose or feet, it could be deadly. 

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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 7:04pm
It's easy to test for proper polarity.  You can buy a tester for very little money and check what's coming into your pod.  In addition to the tester, you may need a converter so you can plug in the tester to a standard 15/20 amp plug instead of the 30 amp plug.  Here's a tester as an example: Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester, Standard 120V AC Outlets, 7 Visual Indication / Wiring Legend, Home & Professional Use, Yellow & Black

As others have said, this can be a dangerous situation so don't let it go unfixed.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 10:37am
Most (all?) surge protectors test for proper grounding also.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by TheBum

Most (all?) surge protectors test for proper grounding also.


most of the better ones do, yes.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 12:43pm
If you are in a place with hookups, it is relatively simple to run a quick voltage test between the pipe for a water spigot and the frame of your R-pod. Most water spigots are on a metal pipe that goes into the ground; hence, it's "grounded". If there is any potential between that pipe and the frame of your R-pod, then there is a break in the connection between shore power ground, and your R-pod ground. 

It doesn't tell you where the problem is, but it tells you it exists.
bp
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Retiree-Pod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 10:13am
Extensive thread on this in the "Manual"
 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4748&title=important-check-this-every-time-you-set-up

Could be a deadly situation!  PLEASE check and keep on it until you have the answer.  Much help available here.

Good Luck
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 6:15pm
Frustrating not hearing back from Farrell.  I hope s/he wasn't electrocuted!

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Farrell View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 2017 at 8:09pm
Thx everyone! I started out looking for what would be the easiest cause to fix and hit pay dirt. It turns out the power cord was faulty. Phew! Glad I found this forum!
The Happy Campers
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