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Old 06-13-2015, 08:00 AM   #1
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Tingling at propane tank

I am camping with a buddy this weekend. After he set up and connected power he went to turn on his propane. When he touched the propane knob he felt a small tingling. Like a low voltage running through it. Didn't feel it anywhere else on the frame or tongue or the tanks. First guess is a bad ground. It isn't doing now. It only did it yesterday evening. For the record, it had rained yesterday evening when it did this. Any thoughts on the issue being at the pedestal or the camper?
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Old 06-13-2015, 08:08 AM   #2
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Good possibility there is a reverse polarity at the power pedestal. If you are at a campground, ask the management to check the pedestal. The outlets on power pedestals take a beating and have to be replaced fairly often. Some times they are replaced by people who are not qualified.
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Old 06-13-2015, 08:18 AM   #3
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Pressure regulator or the over fill valve?
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Old 06-13-2015, 08:41 AM   #4
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Pressure regulator or the over fill valve?
The knob on the top of the tank that you turn the propane off and on.
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Old 06-13-2015, 08:48 AM   #5
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No.

This is the regulator, open the valve all the way.

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Old 06-13-2015, 09:01 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by howie70 View Post
I am camping with a buddy this weekend. After he set up and connected power he went to turn on his propane. When he touched the propane knob he felt a small tingling. Like a low voltage running through it. Didn't feel it anywhere else on the frame or tongue or the tanks. First guess is a bad ground. It isn't doing now. It only did it yesterday evening. For the record, it had rained yesterday evening when it did this. Any thoughts on the issue being at the pedestal or the camper?
Same scenario at the Air Force Academy Famcamp a few years ago. Every time the ground was wet every camper (me included) got a buzz when outside and touched their rv's exterior. My power pen verified there was AC volts when I touched it to my steps. Electricians verified there was an issue and chased the problem for 4 days throughout the campground (lots of holes dug) and ended up running all new wiring throughout the campground. Took several weeks.
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Old 06-13-2015, 12:01 PM   #7
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Not to panic you, but this is VERY dangerous. If you were a better ground you could have been electrocuted. Picture your child barefoot fresh from the pool.

It is called "hot skin" and you need to track down your problem ASAP.

There are several possible causes for hot skin. Some are under your control and others are not.

Bad shore power plug connection: Improper grounding; no grounding, reversed polarity.

Improperly wired extension cords; usually caused by a park owner, employee or guest improperly rewiring an extension cord.

Improperly wired 30 amp adapters.

Loose or worn power outlets.

Reversed polarity in electrical outlets in the RV

Hot Skin and RVer Electrical Safety Tips

RV Electrical Safety: Part IV – Hot Skin | No~Shock~Zone

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Old 06-13-2015, 12:27 PM   #8
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No.

This is the regulator, open the valve all the way.

X2. no other place on frame does it? pulsation in lp reg diaphram...those polarity checkers for 2.5 bucks at harbor freight are a good add for the tool kit though...
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Old 06-13-2015, 12:36 PM   #9
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X2. no other place on frame does it? pulsation in lp reg diaphram...those polarity checkers for 2.5 bucks at harbor freight are a good add for the tool kit though...
I tried to find one just now, got link?
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Old 06-13-2015, 12:37 PM   #10
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X2. no other place on frame does it? pulsation in lp reg diaphram...those polarity checkers for 2.5 bucks at harbor freight are a good add for the tool kit though...
Correct. No other place on the frame does it. Does this mean that his regulator is bad?
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:01 PM   #11
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if it only did it one time and does not do it any more it is most likly static.
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:10 PM   #12
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No.

This is the regulator, open the valve all the way.

No? No to what?
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:15 PM   #13
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No? No to what?
The knob on top of the tank, it is not the problem.
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:18 PM   #14
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Same scenario at the Air Force Academy Famcamp a few years ago. Every time the ground was wet every camper (me included) got a buzz when outside and touched their rv's exterior. My power pen verified there was AC volts when I touched it to my steps. Electricians verified there was an issue and chased the problem for 4 days throughout the campground (lots of holes dug) and ended up running all new wiring throughout the campground. Took several weeks.
We camped there 3 years ago and work on the cg's electrical system was underway then. We and our friends we were the guests of didn't have any problems then.
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:23 PM   #15
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rest of the frame probably painted or powder coated (plastic) so there is some insulation, Handle on propane tank neither.

Got a test meter? Measure voltage between tank valve and Ground ( not trailer gnd)
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Old 06-13-2015, 02:59 PM   #16
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Eclipse Tools 400-029 Receptacle Tester - Standard Outlets


trouble with links on this ipad and interface with my brain. flybob has a point. usually when you get the pulsation in the reg you hear it as well, almost resonates through the tanks. composite walled trailers will limit " hot skin" transmission to just a few locations. as far as a noisy reg being an issue, im not sure if its a problem. heard it once in a great while, usually when first pressurizing. id have a polarity tester and 30/15 adapter to test every source I plugged into just for GP.
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Old 06-13-2015, 03:02 PM   #17
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Thanks Lou for posting the video. You may have saved someone's life! I've been in the electronics business all my life and I can't begin to tell you how many times I found (usually the hard way) a floating ground! Using that voltage sensor sounds like a great idea.
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Old 06-13-2015, 03:08 PM   #18
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Eclipse Tools 400-029 Receptacle Tester - Standard Outlets


trouble with links on this ipad and interface with my brain. flybob has a point. usually when you get the pulsation in the reg you hear it as well, almost resonates through the tanks. composite walled trailers will limit " hot skin" transmission to just a few locations. as far as a noisy reg being an issue, im not sure if its a problem. heard it once in a great while, usually when first pressurizing. id have a polarity tester and 30/15 adapter to test every source I plugged into just for GP.
Oh, I have one......

Thought it was something I did not, I like DIY toys..
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Old 06-13-2015, 07:29 PM   #19
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Wet ground/feet, aluminum siding and reversed wiring/poor or no ground is a disaster waiting to happen. Saw a next door camper plug in and then go to attach the water hose, he was lucky - 115 VAC to ground from the aluminum siding. He unplugged quickly before the kids had a chance to touch the trailer. Inverter was just replaced, typical quick service. It's easy to check the post/tt with a gismo for missing legs, grounds and reversals.
I carry a 30 to 20 amp plug to check the post.
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Old 06-13-2015, 09:01 PM   #20
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The knob on top of the tank, it is not the problem.
I knew that. I was just saying that is the only place he felt it. You mentioned the regulator, is that an indication of a bad regulator?
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