Electrical Question

sootsweeper · 08-14-2011, 06:10 PM

I recently purchased a 2004 Jayco Designer, recently I have noticed a small shock throughout the exterior of the trailer when the unit is plugged into a 110v at my home, over the weekend I went to a local campground and touched the rear jack when I was setting it up and got the shock again. This is only happening when the unit is plugged in. Is this a ground issue?

kcconawa · 08-14-2011, 07:57 PM

First thing is verify the correct polarity of your shore plug in. If that is wired backwards, means you are back feeding current to your ground which could cause the issue.

Any electrical issue, always start at the earliest source possible, then work downstream from there. Since you got the problem @ two different sites, sounds like it is an issue in your units wiring.

Next, search the unit for previous owner modifications and see if that is the issue.

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-14-2011, 08:03 PM

Many things can cause a "hot skin" situation. DO NOT PLUG IT IN AGAIN UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT! This is an extremely dangerous situation which could kill you or anyone else who comes in contact with the hot skin. If the trailer was properly grounded, the pedestal breaker would trip so you have that going on. Since you apparently do not have experience with electrical system, I STRONGLY urge you to take it back to the dealer to find out what is wrong before someone gets killed.

29BHS ECO · 08-15-2011, 07:37 AM

sootsweeper-- If your so inclined, before you go to a dealer,with your trailer unpluged and the battery disconnected, (check to be sure the battery is connected correctly before you disconnect), check ground connections under the tt ,I have a couple locations on my tt , so just look around at the frame to make sure the connections have been made and are tight. you could also undo them, sand the contact points and reconnect then check , with a meter, voltage from your tt to a ground. You can also examine the power wiring from your battery to your panel for any chaffing that may have occured over the years. When you are checking with a meter, have the battery disconnected and that will tell you if you have a shore power or battery power problem ie which systerm has the ground problem. Just some things you can do to save a few $ Larry

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-15-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19H F250

sootsweeper-- If your so inclined, before you go to a dealer,with your trailer unpluged and the battery disconnected, (check to be sure the battery is connected correctly before you disconnect), check ground connections under the tt ,I have a couple locations on my tt , so just look around at the frame to make sure the connections have been made and are tight. you could also undo them, sand the contact points and reconnect then check , with a meter, voltage from your tt to a ground. You can also examine the power wiring from your battery to your panel for any chaffing that may have occured over the years. When you are checking with a meter, have the battery disconnected and that will tell you if you have a shore power or battery power problem ie which systerm has the ground problem. Just some things you can do to save a few $ Larry

Without any disrespect to you or the OP, Larry, obviously the OP does have a bad ground or the pedestal and home breakers would be tripping. The fact that the OP had to ask if it might be a ground problem makes it clear that he doesn't have the necessary experience to SAFELY troubleshoot the problem. I would feel very uncomfortable asking him to do his own troubleshooting since it could be extremely dangerous. His and his family's lives are far too precious to risk just to save a few dollars.

Seann45 · 08-15-2011, 08:59 AM

Fix it now before it kills someone... I just read about one RV family that lost their son. They knew they had "hot skin" condition ... the kid went to get into the RV in bare feet.... zapppp easy ground connection.. DO NOT PLUG THE RV IN AGAIN FOR ANY REASON TILL THIS HAS BEEN FIXED

sootsweeper · 08-16-2011, 08:26 PM

I would like to thank everyone for your responses on my questions. I am going to make contact with my local jayco service center and get it into the shop and looked over. I appreciate everyones quick responses and pointing me into the right direction. My family's safety if the first and foremost priority.... I have spoken with the previous owner and he advised me that there were never any changes made to the unit , they were the first owners.

sootsweeper · 08-17-2011, 07:52 PM

Just an update on my electrical issue. I had an electrician inspect my fifth wheel today, Im pretty sure that we had everything electrical exposed (which it seems that way). What was finally determined was that the main ground wire coming from the back plug in feed supply to the breaker box was completely loose , zero turns on the set screw that holds the ground on the neutral bar. The only thing that I can think of was that the camper either left the factory like that or it worked itself loose. No signs of the breaker box cover ever being removed. Again I thank all of you who responded to my post and put me in the right direction, Now I hope that myself and my family can finally start enjoying our camper again. Thanks alot

Terry · 08-17-2011, 07:54 PM

Great news! Now go out and enjoy that camper!

Seann45 · 08-18-2011, 07:43 AM

That is great that you found it... things in RV's can "jiggle" loose.. after all you are towing a home down the highway... While we are talking about that remove the inside AC cover and make sure the bolts there are SNUG they come loose over time... dont over tighten just snug...
Also if you dont mind add a signature line so we know what you have and where you are from... sometimes you find the nicest people (jayco owners) are close by or you are traveling past them.

sootsweeper · 08-18-2011, 07:32 PM

Seann, Are you talking about inside the trailer a/c cover or access from the roof. I've heard people talk about taking the cover off the top and cleaning? Sorry new to RVing?

Seann45 · 08-19-2011, 07:10 AM

drop the whole inside cover (4 screws) then you will see 4 bolt heads one in each corner... SNUG them up... DONT over tighten... as the foam gasket under the A/C compresses the bolts become loose so check it once a year or so...

29BHS ECO · 08-19-2011, 07:57 AM

Jeannie--- I totally agree with you , thats why I started my post with " If your so inclined". Larry

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