I'm confused over "grounds".

[Pilgrim49]

I know just enough about electricity to hurt myself. That said, I read a lot of posts about loose grounds. With the DC aspect of the RV is the ground the return to the negative side of the battery? That is the chassis, metal framework, etc.?
On the AC side what is ground? It's obviously not a long copper rod stuck in the ground.
Finally, if I feel the need to go looking for loose grounds how do I do that without destroying my unit? We own a Lacrosse 328RES. I assume all my grounding connections are behind walls or covered up by the cover on the bottom of the trailer.
Thanks for any words of wisdom.
Rick

[172av8r]

Actually, Ground IS a copper rod stuck in the ground. All the ground wires in your RV connect to the ground on the pedestal outlet. Which goes back to a main panel somewhere, where it is connected to the copper grounding rod.

[Bama Rambler]

Most of the time the DC negatives (grounds) are connected to the frame in an exposed area, or tied to the distribution panel. That's not always the case, but it's the case most of the time. The negative connection is usually near the battery.

You shouldn't have to go ripping out walls or underbelly to find most of them.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by 172av8r

Actually, Ground IS a copper rod stuck in the ground. All the ground wires in your RV connect to the ground on the pedestal outlet. Which goes back to a main panel somewhere, where it is connected to the copper grounding rod.

X2

Mike Sokol is discussing generator neutrals in his article link below, but it also explains the grounding system in houses/shore power vs RV's. It may help in your understanding, as well as a problem you may encounter should you use a generator in your future.

Generator Ground-Neutral Bonding | No~Shock~Zone

[dieselguy]

With your shore power cord unplugged, remove the front panel from your converter, there will be plenty of tightening on the power, neutral, and ground screws. There are a couple of ground screws on the back of your fridge accesed by removing the outer vent, there will be a ground near your battery, there may also be a ground in your front storage bay for the landing gear motor or pump (if you have a fiver). There is sometimes a ground for your stove under the burner cover. There is a ground near your J box where your pigtail connects.

[Pilgrim49]

Thanks all for your quick responses. And the copper rod in the ground through shore power makes all sorts of sense now that you mention it. So much to learn.
Thanks again
Rick

[banda]

Originally Posted by 172av8r

Actually, Ground IS a copper rod stuck in the ground. All the ground wires in your RV connect to the ground on the pedestal outlet. Which goes back to a main panel somewhere, where it is connected to the copper grounding rod.

And when you're not plugged in?

[172av8r]

Originally Posted by banda

And when you're not plugged in?

Then you are running on 12v only, and your frame is used as common (negative side of dc). The trailer is not connected to earth ground.