Tips on Finding Hot Skin Source - R-pod Owners Forum

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Grant177

Groupie

Joined: 15 Mar 2020
Location: Edmonton, AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Topic: Tips on Finding Hot Skin Source
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 6:08pm

Unfortunately, as the trailer is new to us this year, I don't really know if this was a pre-existing condition or just due to the site. We only used it once previously while camping and with dry conditions etc, maybe we were just lucky not to get zapped. I did work on it numerous times prior as well with no ill results.

I'll be heading back to it tomorrow, safely plugging it in and doing numerous tests to see what results. Picked up a non-contact voltage sensor today so should be easier for quick testing than my trusty multimeter.

Fun times.....

Grant
2011 R-Pod 177

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 1:16pm

If you have never seen this condition before, odds are it is associated with the campsite. Caused by the frame of RV not at same potential as earth around it. The ground connection power cord should keep you within 2/3 volts of campsite potential. If you didn't see any potential increases after going thru the CB test, I would guess that eliminates your reefer, WH and AC. I would report to campsite management and see if you get can get another campsite. If you experience same on another campsite, take the trailer home. It can be fatal if the ground gets wet and you are standing in water and touching the trailer. Once you know it is the trailer, you have several ways to go to include an RV tech, EMS mod, etc.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy

Senior Member

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2630

Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 12:58pm

What you have is probably what's called a "Reverse Polarity Bootleg Ground". A regular outlet tester will show it as "correct", when it's actually the opposite of correct. Very dangerous. It requires some intelligence with a multimeter to figure out.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

ArthroPod

Newbie

Joined: 10 May 2014
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16

Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 12:35pm

I once had this occur and the power source had wires reversed which is first on your list.

177 toad with Ford 150

mjlrpod

Senior Member

Joined: 27 Sep 2016
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1214

Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 11:22am

A hot skin condition is something I have definitely heard of, but am not really sure what causes it. I think it's a bad ground, but don't really know. I heard that installing an EMS will not allow a hotskin condition and that's partly why I installed one. Please report back what you find.

I copied this link from the pod mods section. One of the admins has a bunch of resources linked in there.

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4748&title=important-check-this-every-time-you-set-up

2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Grant177

Groupie

Joined: 15 Mar 2020
Location: Edmonton, AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 9:32am

OK....so last camping trip, while plugged into a 30A receptacle, I went to tie down a screen tent rope to the trailer as there was some light rain (wet ground) and winds were picking up. I touched the trailer frame I got zapped...

Quickly took out the multimeter and was getting about 90v AC from frame to earth (just sticking the mm probe into the dirt).

Immediately unplugged the trailer, but did a couple more tests when it was safe to do so and confirmed the frame is hot...

An AC plug tester in the trailer outlets showed everything OK (though I don't know if a household outlet tester is ideal for testing a trailer receptacle?).

I am going to where I have it parked now and will start testing everything I can find, but wondering if anyone has any good tips where to start etc? Typical sources etc?

I have a background in electrical/electronics so hope I can track it down myself, but I just don't know RV electrical too intimately (yet). I'll bring it in if I can't find the definite source, but thinking:

1) Test on different AC source....could have been the campground electrical reversed

2) Hot water heating element is shorted (I'll see if it heats while only on AC)

3) Neutral to ground shorts.

4) Worn/shorted wiring (pull wiring off all the terminal blocks and test each one for shorts etc.)

Not sure where else to look....thoughts?

Edit: Am considering replacing all the old breakers with GFI+AFCI breakers. Would cost a few bucks, but certainly add protection I think...

Idea...powering up the trailer (and seeing if the skin goes hot again) and then shutting off each breaker one at a time to see if I can track down a shorted circuit.

Grant

Grant
2011 R-Pod 177

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Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Topic: Tips on Finding Hot Skin Source Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 6:08pm
	Unfortunately, as the trailer is new to us this year, I don't really know if this was a pre-existing condition or just due to the site. We only used it once previously while camping and with dry conditions etc, maybe we were just lucky not to get zapped. I did work on it numerous times prior as well with no ill results. I'll be heading back to it tomorrow, safely plugging it in and doing numerous tests to see what results. Picked up a non-contact voltage sensor today so should be easier for quick testing than my trusty multimeter. Fun times.....
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 1:16pm
	If you have never seen this condition before, odds are it is associated with the campsite. Caused by the frame of RV not at same potential as earth around it. The ground connection power cord should keep you within 2/3 volts of campsite potential. If you didn't see any potential increases after going thru the CB test, I would guess that eliminates your reefer, WH and AC. I would report to campsite management and see if you get can get another campsite. If you experience same on another campsite, take the trailer home. It can be fatal if the ground gets wet and you are standing in water and touching the trailer. Once you know it is the trailer, you have several ways to go to include an RV tech, EMS mod, etc.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2630	Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 12:58pm
	What you have is probably what's called a "Reverse Polarity Bootleg Ground". A regular outlet tester will show it as "correct", when it's actually the opposite of correct. Very dangerous. It requires some intelligence with a multimeter to figure out.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

ArthroPod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 May 2014 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 12:35pm
	I once had this occur and the power source had wires reversed which is first on your list.
	177 toad with Ford 150

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214	Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 11:22am
	A hot skin condition is something I have definitely heard of, but am not really sure what causes it. I think it's a bad ground, but don't really know. I heard that installing an EMS will not allow a hotskin condition and that's partly why I installed one. Please report back what you find. I copied this link from the pod mods section. One of the admins has a bunch of resources linked in there. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4748&title=important-check-this-every-time-you-set-up
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 9:32am
	OK....so last camping trip, while plugged into a 30A receptacle, I went to tie down a screen tent rope to the trailer as there was some light rain (wet ground) and winds were picking up. I touched the trailer frame I got zapped... Quickly took out the multimeter and was getting about 90v AC from frame to earth (just sticking the mm probe into the dirt). Immediately unplugged the trailer, but did a couple more tests when it was safe to do so and confirmed the frame is hot... An AC plug tester in the trailer outlets showed everything OK (though I don't know if a household outlet tester is ideal for testing a trailer receptacle?). I am going to where I have it parked now and will start testing everything I can find, but wondering if anyone has any good tips where to start etc? Typical sources etc? I have a background in electrical/electronics so hope I can track it down myself, but I just don't know RV electrical too intimately (yet). I'll bring it in if I can't find the definite source, but thinking: 1) Test on different AC source....could have been the campground electrical reversed 2) Hot water heating element is shorted (I'll see if it heats while only on AC) 3) Neutral to ground shorts. 4) Worn/shorted wiring (pull wiring off all the terminal blocks and test each one for shorts etc.) Not sure where else to look....thoughts? Edit: Am considering replacing all the old breakers with GFI+AFCI breakers. Would cost a few bucks, but certainly add protection I think... Idea...powering up the trailer (and seeing if the skin goes hot again) and then shutting off each breaker one at a time to see if I can track down a shorted circuit. Grant
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177