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08-25-2016, 04:18 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
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Reverse Polarity Light
Having just read about reverse polarity lights, I am assuming that the light at the left rear side of the trailer above the water inlet is just such a light. How can I test it to see if it is working?
__________________
Cheers....John
1977 24ft Argosy - sold.
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08-25-2016, 05:22 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Reverse Polarity Light
You are correct it is the reverse polarity light.
IMHO you should disconnect it. But if you want to test it you need to reverse the hot and neutral in the panel. The light is wired between the neutral and earth ground. So if the hot and neutral are reversed the light will come on. But only if the bulb is good.
There are testers out in the market place that plug into a standard duplex outlet in your coach that will give you much more info on whether the wiring is correct.
I believe the price of these testers is less than $10.
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08-25-2016, 07:27 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
So if the hot and neutral are reversed the light will come on. But only if the bulb is good.
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So really I just need to test the bulb. Thanks
__________________
Cheers....John
1977 24ft Argosy - sold.
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08-25-2016, 08:15 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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I think that the reverse polarity light is a cool feature
Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
You are correct it is the reverse polarity light.
IMHO you should disconnect it.
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I am curious as to why you would advise to disconnect it. I'm shocked !!
I dry camp. I have only stayed at two campgrounds, one of which where the warning light came in handy, and saved me from getting shocked.
Another time at a " farm party " I daisy chained on to my friends camper. My friends extension cord was bad and my daughter was barefoot and got shocked when she tried to open the camper door.
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08-27-2016, 08:10 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,042
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
I am curious as to why you would advise to disconnect it.
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The reverse polarity light could provide a path to energize the frame if polarity is reversed. It's better than nothing, but there are better solutions for ensuring safe power.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
I'm shocked!
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I see what you did there.
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08-27-2016, 09:10 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGreatleys
The reverse polarity light could provide a path to energize the frame if polarity is reversed. It's better than nothing, but there are better solutions for ensuring safe power.
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Can you give some examples
__________________
Cheers....John
1977 24ft Argosy - sold.
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08-27-2016, 10:38 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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a better option for $5-$10, available at most hardware stores.
I leave mine plugged in 100% of the time when on shore power. It also is a pretty good night light.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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08-27-2016, 11:29 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,042
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Picinisco
Can you give some examples
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The whole mode of operation is to provide a path from the neutral leg to the frame through a bulb. Energize the neutral leg, the energy travels through the bulb to the frame, i.e. energizing the frame. Probably not dangerous since the bulb provides some resistance, but again, there are better solutions available.
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08-27-2016, 11:30 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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I prefer the non-contact voltage detectors which tell you immediately if the polarity is switched and has energized the trailer skin or frame. Here is the link to a $10 one from Sears I bought for our local club: [URL="http://www.sears.com/craftsman-voltage-detector/p-03482174000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=Cj0KEQjw 9IS-BRC4qZXagbLs6uMBEiQAYHBh-xFaOH3o9hVRiCMKuwUwkqixvcoWfkdHpK5Edy8zcWMaAveC8P8 HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds"]
Similar devices are available $10-$20. Better safe than sorry.
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08-27-2016, 11:31 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,042
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Progressive dynamics EMS comes to mind. I have the hardwired 30amp version. Won't allow power to the coach with reversed polarity, along with a laundry list of other power problems.
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08-27-2016, 12:40 PM
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#11
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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It is not a bulb... its a neon capsule.
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08-27-2016, 04:15 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicNo13
It is not a bulb... its a neon capsule.
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Does it ever burn out
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08-27-2016, 10:33 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Neon bulbs don't usually burnout, but the do get dim overtime
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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08-28-2016, 04:11 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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The only way to reliably test a neon capsule is to energize it with 110 volts AC. It is best to unsolder it, test it, and reinstall it in the circuit. I do not recommend reversing the trailer input power. This can pose a potential danger to some equipment and personnel.
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08-28-2016, 08:00 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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A W Warn posted the device I was referring to. Get rid of the old light.
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08-28-2016, 08:44 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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Yeah, I am still confused
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGreatleys
The reverse polarity light could provide a path to energize the frame if polarity is reversed. It's better than nothing, but there are better solutions for ensuring safe power.
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I'm thinking that the frame would be hot, if the polarity is reversed, even if you didn't have a warning light.
I perceive your comment to mean that a faulty warning light could cause the exact problem that is supposed to be warning you against. Am I correct????
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08-28-2016, 09:04 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
I'm thinking that the frame would be hot, if the polarity is reversed, even if you didn't have a warning light.
I perceive your comment to mean that a faulty warning light could cause the exact problem that is supposed to be warning you against. Am I correct????
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The main difference is that the bulb limits the current, which is not the case when the Polarity is reversed. The neon bulb will not light and pass any current until the voltage across it is above the ionization potential for neon which, if I recall correctly, is about 90 volts. This won't happen unless there is a low resistance connection between the frame and ground. If the tongue jack or stabilizers or body contact provide this the bulb might light and energize the frame but the available voltage would only be about 30 volts. That's better than 120.
But it is zero if the bulb is replaced with a plugin tester.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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05-06-2017, 08:11 PM
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#18
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62 Flying Cloud
1962 22' Flying Cloud
Lakewood Ranch
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 46
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Seems an odd place inside a closed hatch as a warning device
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05-07-2017, 04:56 AM
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#19
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62 Flying Cloud
1962 22' Flying Cloud
Lakewood Ranch
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 46
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My son says he was zapped when it was raining. What can I do to prevent zapping?
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05-07-2017, 07:03 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Check the 120 volt wiring. Somewhere between the source and the coach the hot wire and neutral are reversed.
What are you using to provide power to the coach?
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