Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

03-29-2009, 13:30

The RVIA establishes the standards for RV construction. While most of the NEC applies, the ground and neutral are to be kept separate in an RV. There is a danger than the RV frame (and in the case of a WL) and body can become energized, leading to a chance of electrocution if someone is grounded outside, is touching the body of the coach, and there is an electrical fault. That is one reason to check polarity when hooking up to a power source, reversed polarity can lead to the same dangerous situation.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Mar 29, 2009, at 5:58 PM, Robin wrote:

Gary-
Thanks for the info, but I am not sure I understand the function. Isn't the NEC just applicable to houses, etc? In a boat (which I know a bit), the neutral is kept separate aboard and brought ashore for connection to the ground. In the main panel of LARGE MARGE, all the whites are together on the buss bar. Are you saying that the neutral ought to be connected to the ground on the coach? That does not make sense to me.
John Churchill
1980 FC33

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", GARY MINKER wrote:

The National Electrical Code calls for a neutral bonding screw in the first disconnect or panel. Look in the disconnect or panels for this screw that is driven through the neutral bar in to the case. It is normal. Coaches are not meant to be plugged in to GFI recepticals because of this. You take a low risk removing the bolt/screw. This is why many newer units only have a 3 conductor cord.
Gary
--- On Wed, 3/25/09, Chuck Wheeler wrote:
From: Chuck Wheeler
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Maybe this will be a good approach?
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 9:41 AM
That should work, and was what I was trying to say...guess
I do not write too clearly. The reason I disconnected more than one at a
time was that I had several small "leaks" adding up. The worst was the
front heater, but that is when I discovered that the various monitors all cause
a little resistance. I had a red marker with me and when I
discovered a circuit that caused the resistance to increase when disconnected I
put a red mark on it. When finished I had three circuits open, the heater
and the two that fed the power monitor and shore power. The heater and
shore power monitor I could clear with repairs, the power monitor by design will
draw a small ground current for it's proper operation but this is less than .5ma
which is well below the GFI trip point. Since you have your power monitor
out, I would think you should be able to clear it all.
- Chuck
Wheeler-
1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
From: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
["Wanderlodge" Forum@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of
Robin
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 5:06 AM
To:
WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Maybe
this will be a good approach?
I did a little homework and read about the "hot skin test". One post there
mentioned simply checking continuity between neutral and ground on the coach
side of the shore power plug (with the power off of course). I've got only 2
Ohms of resistance, should be infinite. Leads me to think that I can do the same
test at the panel, checking continuity between the neutral bus bar and ground.
Pull one white at a time, and when I finally get an open circuit, there is the
problem. I may leave them all disconnected as I proceed to allow for more than 1
bad circuit, checking again after reconnecting each. Does this procedure make
sense?
John Churchill
--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com,
"Chuck Wheeler" wrote:
John,
There are some active circuits even when all breakers are off. They
are
involved in the circuit that warns you if you turn the ignition on
with
shore power applied. Turning off the breakers only breaks the "hot"
side.
If there is a cross between Neutral and ground it will still be
there even
with the breakers off. That is why I had to disconnect the
neutrals in
order to isolate my problem. There may be a different or
better way,but
this was the only way I could think of.
- Chuck Wheeler-
1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
_____
From: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
["WanderlodgeForum@" yahoogroups. com]
On Behalf Of Robin
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:19 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] gfci still tripping
way
Well, I've completely removed both my PowerWatch reverse polarity
indicators
to re-do them. Decided to check the coach with them removed
and the GFCI
still trips when I plug the 30 amp cord in. It trips when I
plug it into
either of the two 30 amp receptacles on the coach. (I do
not own a 50 amp
cord.) Trips even though all the breakers are off
including individual
circuits, main breaker and the separate 30 amp
disconnect breakers. If I
switch the master shore power switch to off,
gen or 50 amp it does not trip.
It does trip if this switch is set at 30
amps. If I start with everything at
off, then gradually flip switches it
seems to barely hold, but if the
switches are on and I plug in the cord,
the GFCI trips, suggesting I am
right at the trip point.
One possible problem area is the genset which has been replaced in the
past,
but does not ever seem to have been run prior to my getting the
coach.
I am looking for advice on the proper troubleshooting
technique for this
problem.
John Churchill
1980
FC33
LARGE MARGE
Sanibel, FL

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