Electrical problem - where to start?

Electrical problem - where to start? - Printable Version

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Electrical problem - where to start? - curlesw - 04-03-2009 15:33

Hi Everyone,

I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my Bird
will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus (not
wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the doors,
zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.

It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I
haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have
a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to
tackle this one.

Thanks!

Wayne
1985 PT-40

Electrical problem - where to start? - bamnc@... - 04-03-2009 15:42

Wayne, your skin is "hot" withd 120v ac and you should disconnect immediately
until you find the problem.

Bruce Morris
Webmaster Wanderlodge Owners Online
83 FC35
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "curlesw" wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus
(not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.
>
> It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I
haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have
a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to
tackle this one.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Wayne
> 1985 PT-40
>

Electrical problem - where to start? - Curt Sprenger - 04-03-2009 15:47

Drive a 2 foot copper ground rod (steel rod will work too) into the
ground...wet the area good...then us a meter to measure from the ground
rod and the coach body. If it is dry where you are, you may be
experiencing static electricity.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA
Read all about Southwest Bluebirds and Friends (SWBB) at http://www.SOUTHWEST-BLUEBIRDS.ORG ...Then Join us.

"Host of the Annual Bluebird Quartzsite Rally"

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 8:33 PM, curlesw <"curlesw@yahoo.com"> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.

It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to tackle this one.

Thanks!

Wayne

1985 PT-40

Electrical problem - where to start? - George Burke - 04-03-2009 17:51

Wayne, A buddy of mine had the same problem with a Eagle bus conversion that he owned. It turned out that he had a bad ground at his batteries. Hope this helps, and is your problem, because it is a cheap and simple fix. Good Luck, George Burke 1977 FC31 FCharlotte

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 11:33 PM, curlesw <"curlesw@yahoo.com"> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.

It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to tackle this one.

Thanks!

Wayne
1985 PT-40

Electrical problem - where to start? - roncan1842@... - 04-04-2009 00:02

I had a similar problem on a 35FC the problem was a 110V cord was caught under a swivel chair and the insulation had worn thru enough to cause a slight short, If you can feel it you have got a AC short some where, first check with a good voltmeter, then try turning off theAC breakers to locate which circuit is the problem. Good luck,

Ron Roberts

95PT40WB

In a message dated 4/4/2009 8:50:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, bamnc@... writes:

Wayne, your skin is "hot" withd 120v ac and you should disconnect immediately until you find the problem.

Bruce Morris
Webmaster Wanderlodge Owners Online
83 FC35
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "curlesw" > wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.
>
> It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to tackle this one.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Wayne
> 1985 PT-40
>

Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a recession.

Electrical problem - where to start? - Ernest Ekberg - 04-04-2009 01:32

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "curlesw"
wrote:
Wayne- there was a write up from ralph about the hots skin test. You can do a
search about that and when you come to message # 37132 that is the section that
talks about it. I suspect your plug at either the house end or the coach end has
a wire that has come loose. Ernie Ekberg, 83PT40 in Texas

>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus
(not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.
>
> It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I
haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have
a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to
tackle this one.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Wayne
> 1985 PT-40
>

Electrical problem - where to start? - mbulriss - 04-04-2009 03:19

Wayne,

+1 on what Ernie said. You need to check that out ASAP. The common wire had
come loose in the coach plug on my Bird and every now and then that same thing
happened. I would check both plug ends for tight wire connections first. If
not that, then on to Ralph's tutorial.....

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" - not so shocking now!
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg" wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "curlesw"
> wrote:
> Wayne- there was a write up from ralph about the hots skin test. You can do a
search about that and when you come to message # 37132 that is the section that
talks about it. I suspect your plug at either the house end or the coach end has
a wire that has come loose. Ernie Ekberg, 83PT40 in Texas
>
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus
(not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.
> >
> > It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I
haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I have
a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how best to
tackle this one.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Wayne
> > 1985 PT-40
> >
>

Electrical problem - where to start? - curlesw - 04-04-2009 09:05

Thanks all, will take a look at the article.

Also, forgot to mention, this happens only when the DC is connect, AC is not
turned on (i.e. plugged in or generator on)...not sure if that make a
difference.

Will read up on things and report back.

Wayne C.
85 PT-40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, roncan1842@... wrote:
>
> I had a similar problem on a 35FC the problem was a 110V cord was caught
> under a swivel chair and the insulation had worn thru enough to cause a slight
> short, If you can feel it you have got a AC short some where, first check with
> a good voltmeter, then try turning off the AC breakers to locate which
> circuit is the problem. Good luck,
> Ron Roberts
> 95PT40WB
>
>
> In a message dated 4/4/2009 8:50:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> bamnc@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> Wayne, your skin is "hot" withd 120v ac and you should disconnect
> immediately until you find the problem.
>
> Bruce Morris
> Webmaster Wanderlodge Owners Online
> 83 FC35
> --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , "curlesw" wrote:
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
> Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the bus
> (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
> doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this feature.
> >
> > It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start. I
> haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I
> have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how
best
> to tackle this one.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Wayne
> > 1985 PT-40
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> **************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a
> recession.
> (http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)
>

Electrical problem - where to start? - Marv & Jean - 04-04-2009 09:42

That makes a lot of sense. Start with the power cord between the coach and the
pedestal. I'll bet you find a loose ground.

Marv
2004 M380
Ocean Shores, WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "curlesw" wrote:
>
> Thanks all, will take a look at the article.
>
> Also, forgot to mention, this happens only when the DC is connect, AC is not
turned on (i.e. plugged in or generator on)...not sure if that make a
difference.
>
> Will read up on things and report back.
>
> Wayne C.
> 85 PT-40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, roncan1842@ wrote:
> >
> > I had a similar problem on a 35FC the problem was a 110V cord was caught
> > under a swivel chair and the insulation had worn thru enough to cause a
slight
> > short, If you can feel it you have got a AC short some where, first check
with
> > a good voltmeter, then try turning off the AC breakers to locate which
> > circuit is the problem. Good luck,
> > Ron Roberts
> > 95PT40WB
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 4/4/2009 8:50:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > bamnc@ writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Wayne, your skin is "hot" withd 120v ac and you should disconnect
> > immediately until you find the problem.
> >
> > Bruce Morris
> > Webmaster Wanderlodge Owners Online
> > 83 FC35
> > --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> > (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , "curlesw" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Everyone,
> > >
> > > I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
> > Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the
bus
> > (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
> > doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this
feature.
> > >
> > > It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start.
I
> > haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I
> > have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how
best
> > to tackle this one.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Wayne
> > > 1985 PT-40
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > **************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a
> > recession.
> >
(http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)
> >
>

Electrical problem - where to start? - timvasqz - 04-04-2009 17:25

get rid of the nylon rugs or polyester sheets??? DC electric in a wanderlodge
has many inverters built in where the current can be more than 12 volt. there
could be an inverter for one of the flourecent lights or el dash or a start
compasitor some place. maybe the flourcent inverters are one of the phantom
draws often spoken about????

Greg of Tim&Greg

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "curlesw" wrote:
>
> Thanks all, will take a look at the article.
>
> Also, forgot to mention, this happens only when the DC is connect, AC is not
turned on (i.e. plugged in or generator on)...not sure if that make a
difference.
>
> Will read up on things and report back.
>
> Wayne C.
> 85 PT-40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, roncan1842@ wrote:
> >
> > I had a similar problem on a 35FC the problem was a 110V cord was caught
> > under a swivel chair and the insulation had worn thru enough to cause a
slight
> > short, If you can feel it you have got a AC short some where, first check
with
> > a good voltmeter, then try turning off the AC breakers to locate which
> > circuit is the problem. Good luck,
> > Ron Roberts
> > 95PT40WB
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 4/4/2009 8:50:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > bamnc@ writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Wayne, your skin is "hot" withd 120v ac and you should disconnect
> > immediately until you find the problem.
> >
> > Bruce Morris
> > Webmaster Wanderlodge Owners Online
> > 83 FC35
> > --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> > (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , "curlesw" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Everyone,
> > >
> > > I have an electrical problem and I'm not sure where to begin. It seems my
> > Bird will give you a small "shock" whenever you touch the outside of the
bus
> > (not wearing shoes of course). So if you are barefoot and try to open the
> > doors, zap!. Needless to say the wife and kids do not care for this
feature.
> > >
> > > It's obvious I have a short somewhere, I'm just not sure where to start.
I
> > haven't made any electrical changes. Any suggestions on where to start? I
> > have a EE background so I know a little about this area, just not sure how
best
> > to tackle this one.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Wayne
> > > 1985 PT-40
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > **************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a
> > recession.
> >
(http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)
> >
>