Motorhome that bites.

jimricho · Guru

Motorhome that bites.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi Misde

Yes ,It should be a15amp cord with 15amp plug & socket

That cord may be a home made one & faulty.

It could be the problem

Buy a new 15amp cord at least 15mts long,& try that

If the problem still exists, get an electrician to test the van wiring & appliances

Does the van have a RCD /safety switch in the van, if not I suggest you get one fitted [by your son?]

Peter

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 21st of February 2012 09:47:00 PM

Misde · Veteran Member

Some advice would be very much appreciated.

While travelling over Dorrigo Mountain one of my fog lights came very loose, which I have since had tightened.

The problem is though, now Im getting small electrical shocks when ever I touch anything metal outside my Motorhome.

Can anyone suggest how to resolve the problem? confuse

Ma · Guru

Not being technically minded Misde I cant' really answer your question but would say that there is an "earthing" problem.

Just wait, there is someone on here that will be able to give you the right answer.

In the meantime, welcome to the forum.

Misde · Veteran Member

Thankyou so much, I'm looking forward to getting to know the guys here.

Misde · Veteran Member

Interesting question, I know it happens when I connect to electricity because it happened a few times today again while I was setting up at Huskinsson.

Ma · Guru

Misde I have sent you a PM

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi misde

If you have found this happening in different locations, the problem most likely is with your van

Even small electrical tingles need to be investigated by a qualified electrician

They may be the sign of more serious problems developing

Normally if you can feel it, the RCD in the van or the park should trip

Do not take risks

Get an electrician fast.

However there are circumstances when this will not happen

Happywanderer · The Master

Welcome Misde, with my last car I went through a period where I would get a shock everytime I touched the car. Not plugged into anything.
I found if I got out of the car while holding onto the door and stayed holding on to it while closing the door, I wouldn't get any shocks.
It could have been something to do with me though as around the same time I was getting shocks when I touched things in the house. Door handles, taps, S/S bench etc.
Then later on I started getting shocks everytime I touched my new grandson. My daughter wouldn't allow me to touch him for a while. It has all gone now, not happening anymore and have no idea what was causing it.

jimricho · Guru

Firstly let's eliminate the fog lamp issue as this is purely coincidental

A couple of more questions.....

1. Has this occurred before at other caravan parks?
2. Is the extension cord used to connect to the "ground' power at the caravan park unmodified with both ends moulded as part of the cord? Is this the same cord you've always used?

The reason I ask these questions is I'm trying to narrow it down to either faulty wiring at the caravan park or an incorrectly wired extension cord. I had a similar thing happen at a caravan park I stayed at in Cairns last year. I tested the power post and found it was incorrectly wired. (for the techies, neutral and earth reversed) I reported it to the park management, I'm unaware of the outcome.

Misde · Veteran Member

@ Jimricho,

Yes it has accured at other parks. No it's not moulded either.
What comes to mind it I was told my cord is a 10 amp cord and it should be a 15amp is that true.?

Heavens I feel so dumb when it comes to things like this.

Misde · Veteran Member

@Oldtrack123,

I just rang my Son is Sydney who said you should know better Mum!
My son is a qualified electrician, he told me to unplug the motorhome from the power, check for water leaks near the inverter or any wires. Now I will not sleep for sure until I resolve this problem.

I will get a electrician.

Thank you for the advice and support too.

Misde · Veteran Member

I'll buy a new 15amp cord in the morning first thing.

No I think it has a safety switch, if it does I don't know where it is. I'll also go and read the hand book to see if it's some where housed in the van.

Thanks again Peter.

Misde · Veteran Member

@ Happywanderer, I've recall that happening years ago too, but, some how I think its the Motorhome or the electric cord.

Thank you for your input too.

Jeannine.

jimricho · Guru

I strongly suspect that the extension cord is the problem. I endorse your decision, and OT123's recommendation, to replace it with the 15amp one. Take the suspect cord to an electrician to have it checked and follow any recommendation he/she may suggest. It still may be prudent to have the sparky check your rig, especially if tests establish that the cord is not the cause.

I also urge you to be familiar with where the safety switch and circuit breakers are located, I believe this should apply to every caravan/RV owner.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

If the new cord does not fix the problem can I suggest it maybe the clothes you are wearing, some clothes cause static.

HW, I would think in your case (with grandchild) it would have been the type clothes you were wearing.

milo · Guru

i know some of the caravan parks we've been to in the Tardis (motorhome) some of the plugs you plug your lead into from the van
to the cp powers look like they should have been replaced 20 years ago..
also if getting an electrician get them to check the main plug where you plug the power into the van out side,
we had to have that looked at once on our van..

Misde · Veteran Member

I brought a new 15amp cord and now using it. I can at least touch the van with no shocks, but, I will have an electrian go over my motorhome when I head back to Sydney on Sunday.

Thank you everyone for your input.

I'm so pleased I joined the The Grey Nomads, you guys are great.

Jeannine.

jimricho · Guru

It's good when it all works out. I think you've nailed the problem. I think your motorhome will be fine but no harm in having a sparky check it for you. I repeat my suggestion that you be familiar with the location of the safety switch and circuit breakers and how to test and reset them, your sparky will help you here.

Have the sparky check the offending lead and rewire it so it's safe and legal, no doubt you won't be using this cord for any reason in the meantime.

best wishes,

Jim

Misde · Veteran Member

Thank you Jim,
I'm heading back to Sydney for a few days so my son can go over my motorhome, before I take off up north.

Best wishes, Jeannine.

mr glassies · Guru

hi jeannine did your son find any other problem with your rig as mine is doing the same thing and i only got it last wednesday

dibs

jimricho · Guru

mr glassies wrote:
hi jeannine did your son find any other problem with your rig as mine is doing the same thing and i only got it last wednesday

dibs

Perhaps for the same reason (incorrectly wired extension cord) ????

oldtrack123 · Guru

mr glassies wrote:
hi jeannine did your son find any other problem with your rig as mine is doing the same thing and i only got it last wednesday

dibs

Hi Dibs

Before we jump to conclusions, are you using a made up cord or a factory produced one?

Very unlikely to be a problem with a NEW factory cord

Easy to tell if it is factory made ,it will have permanently moulded plug & socket as a part of the cord

Is the ground very wet when you receive the shock ?.

Have you received shocks in different locations?

Sometimes the problem does not lie with the van or the cord ,but stray earth currents in the area.

Peter

Misde · Veteran Member

Hi dibs
Up until now I've had no shocks with the new cord so I'm little more as ease and
my son hasn't gone over the motorhome yet due to weather conditions but will in the next few days.

oldtrack123 · Guru

scooch wrote:
I'm not sure what you mean by stray earth currents, Peter. To quote a famous ex polie, "please explain"

Hi

Our system uses an earthed neutral system

At times current flows back through the ground & voltage gradients can exist due to earth materials , poor system earthing & other factors

They are stray in that they normally should not exist

Sometime referred to as ground step voltages & where voltage exists currents can flow.

The actual magnitude of the currents can be quite high ,even sufficient to overheat earthing cables.

One of the reasons why it is against the Aus standards to feed a van on one site to a van on another site ,is that gives more chance of such voltages & therefore current to flow

In the OP's case It could still be a very low current leakage in the van but is being carried ok by the new earthing in the extension lead& not sufficient out of balance to trip the RCD[safety switch]

Peter

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 24th of June 2012 07:54:28 PM

scooch · Member

I'm not sure what you mean by stray earth currents, Peter. To quote a famous ex polie, "please explain"

Misde · Veteran Member

The guys here never leave a stone unturned Alan, my safety net a solo female on the road is the support I have from the folks here.

In other words one can't go past their "Wisdom and Experience," well that's my belief is anyway.

As they say, A live spark in the hand is better than burning your butt alone in the bush..

Ooops Pardon, did I say that?

Does that mean the naughty corner requires the presences of a charming Aussie Solo Traveller?...That will never do..Chuckling.

Safe travels.

Jeannine.

PS: It must be close to Happy Hour.

-- Edited by Misde on Monday 25th of June 2012 03:46:53 PM

scooch · Member

Thanks Peter, I'd never heard of it. I'll certainly do some more reading on the subject.
Alan

scooch · Member

Hi Jeannine, yes they certainly can be lifesavers. Happy Birthday for the 21st
Alan

Misde · Veteran Member

Yes I agree. Thankyou for the kind gesture knowing it was my Birthday a few days ago.

Jeannine