Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-05-2011, 11:34 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
Smile Electric Shock on Rear Bumper

On our very first trip with our Rockwood Roo 19 we inadvertantly discovered that the rear bumper on the camper was "hot". My husband touched it without shoes on and received a shock. After process of elimination we discovered that the hot water heater was causing the issue. We shut off the electric and switched it over to gas. Water had leaked from the outside shower not being shut off all the way and leaked down the side of the camper into the hot water heater on the outside. we brought the camper in for repair and was told nothing was wrong with it. They told us it was most likely that the campground wasn't grounded. Are they just pulling our leg? They did say they replaced the coil in the hot water heater but that they didn't see anything wrong with it. Why would be be getting shocked just on the rear bumper if there was a problem with the campground outlet?

Thanks so much!
wendylew123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 11:45 AM   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
acadianbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,365
It is not unusual for campgrounds to have electrical issues. Lack of grounding is a distinct possibility.
__________________
https://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp297/acadianbob/IMG_2757.jpg
2021 F350 Lariat 7.3 4X4 w 4.30s, 2018 Wildcat 29RLX
2012 BMW G650GS, Demco Premiere Slider
1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
acadianbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 12:18 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
tmmar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
There is probably an open ground where you plugged in. I had that when I plugged in at my home and received a slight shock. I checked the circuit and found that there was an open ground. I fixed the circuit and it cleared up the problem.
If I were you, I would invest in a surge supressor. It will alert you to any problems with the campground electric. Mine alerted me twice in the past 2 years- once when the voltage was low and once when there was a frequency problem with the campground electric. It also saved me from a power surge just last weekend when a thunder storm came through and the campground lost power and it came back on a short time later. Not sure how much you have in the ROO, but in my coach there are a lot of electronics. JMHO.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60

tmmar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 01:16 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
sherdep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Saint Cloud FL
Posts: 1,565
Like stated above - probably a ground issue.

I have a box that you plug into the outlet to verify it is hooked up right and has the proper voltage before I plug my Tailer into the shore power.
I know camping world has them for around $80 I think - might be a well worth investment.
__________________
2011 Rockwood Mini Lite 2306 - Matt
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Qaud Cab 4x4 with 35" tires and 3.92 gears, Dynatech Longtube Headers & Fabtech 6" lift + Superchips with shift Tuning
Nights Camped 2011 (37) - 2012 (16)-2013 (2) -2014 (5) -2015(0)
USMC 91 - 95 - F/A-18 Aviation Ordnance
sherdep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 03:22 PM   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
MtnGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
For about $8, this little device is worth that if there is a problem with the campground receptacle. Shop IDEAL Analog Multimeter GFCI Receptacle Tester at Lowes.com
__________________

Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
MtnGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 03:28 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
tmmar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
I have one of these also and they sell the same tester for only a couple of dollars (don't remember how much) at Harbor Freight. Only problem is that gives you a 'snapshot' of the power at that time. Does not do anything to protect you over the longer term.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60

tmmar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 04:00 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
jimh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
You pfobably found it at the hot water heater.
I hhave the same thing mtnguy refed. Bought at harbor freight. Works well.
jimh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 06:04 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 66
I had a strange experience with electric shock.

After parking my 5er in its storage spot (no connections of any type), I was draining the hot water heater to change the anode. Upon touching the water, a shock ran through me - not alot, but enough to be noticed. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried it again multiple times - each one with the same result.

Then I looked up and realized what was going on - our storage spot is under a set of high power lines. The power lines are inducing a current in our trailer and was flowing through the water being drained (and me!)


As a pipeliner, I shouldn't have needed several tries to figure this out - it is a well known and understood phenomenon in the industry. Guess I'm a bit slow.
kablair is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2011, 07:54 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
wfmdfm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Middleboro, MA
Posts: 302
Ground

I agree that there was a ground issues here. I don't think it was just involving your bumper but anything that is part of the frame. He just had the correct conditions at the bumper to feel it. I think the ground testers indicated will help to determine if it is a Campground issue.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2015 Toyota Tundra
wfmdfm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55 AM.