Slightly shocking question

[ebair]

Winterizing the camper ('00 Limited) the other day and got a electrical tingle (it was plugged into shore power) when I put a uninsulated knee on damp ground and a hand on the body.
Any suggestions on a possible cause, and where to start?

[ebair]

OOps, just read the post below with the same problem. I'll follow the suggestions there. Thanks.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ebair

Winterizing the camper ('00 Limited) the other day and got a electrical tingle (it was plugged into shore power) when I put a uninsulated knee on damp ground and a hand on the body.
Any suggestions on a possible cause, and where to start?

Either the outlet or an extension cord has reversed polarity, making the Airstream shell "hot."

Andy

[ebair]

Andy,
Thanks for the quick response.
As you suggested I checked the cord and outlet, the outlet in the garage was the culprit (apparently added by a less than competent PO).
So my next little project is to check all the outlets and verify the polarity and wire them correctly.
Has this possibly caused any damage to my coach? What should I look for/check?.
Thanks again

[Zeppelinium]

no damage, I'm confident. The electrical equipment doesn't care, except in a case, like you, where there was another path to ground. You didn't have a radio sitting on the ground with its hand on the shell, did you?

Zep

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ebair

Andy,
Thanks for the quick response.
As you suggested I checked the cord and outlet, the outlet in the garage was the culprit (apparently added by a less than competent PO).
So my next little project is to check all the outlets and verify the polarity and wire them correctly.
Has this possibly caused any damage to my coach? What should I look for/check?.
Thanks again

No harm done, except maybe to your well being. Not the kind of tingle we choose to experience.

You can get a cheap polarity tester at Home Depot. It will save you considerable time checking out your other outlets.

More importantly, carry it with the trailer as a tool.

When you arrive at a campground or resort, always check the polarity of their electrical service. Not likely, but it could be reversed.

I think everyone should carry a polarity tester.

We all know that there are a lot of shocks in our daily lives, but who would have ever thought that you would get one from an Airstream.

Andy

[dwightdi]

I carry the polarity checker in the side pocket of the truck door. I check the Campground outlet before I waste my time backing into a bad campsite.