80 volts from frame to ground

[Exnavydiver]

I was just finishing up the JTs stabilizer install and grabbed one of the stablizers with my bare elbow on the damp grass and got jolted. I unplugged the shore power cord and finished the install and then went looking for the problem. No luck so far. I have pulled all the skirting screws and looked along the whole frame for a screw spiked wire, nothing.I found several pinched wires but no 120 volt wiring and I did unpinch them. Checked the shore power ground and that is good, both on the shore power cable and at the outlet. Any ideas? We will be stopping at the dealers on the way south mid week if I can't find the glitch... Dave and Betsy

[jpbcny]

Did you check the Shore Power for Reverse Polarity?

[Exnavydiver]

RATS!! no I didn't but am on garage 20 amp outlet and that just passed inspection but will go check. Some SOB hid my Wiggins Grrrr! Dave

[ole dude]

Did you pull your main power plug that is mounted in the trailer, the one where you plug in the shore power and check all the connections to be sure they are tight? Also ground wires in breaker panel and where ground connnects to frame. Had same problem, ground wire was loose in main power plug at shore power connection. Good luck--it is a wake up call to shake hands with the local power company.
,

[pud2]

Check and make sure you have a good grond at trailer recp. and at the panel inside. Sounds like a bad ground.

[rogue]

You might try tripping all the breakers, and pull all the fuses and disconnect the battery, then check the frame to ground.
If not OK, recheck the ground to the house, some where there is a open ground. If this is OK, than start adding one or two at a time and check. Its a long process, but will usually find the circuit that is causing the problem.

I'd also suggest using a volt meter, its no fun testing with elbow to grass every time (only kidding).

[Wiarton William]

I had a similiar problem with my last trailer...it ended up that the water heater element was creating a short..the dog and I both got zapped..

[kdeiss]

I second sounds like bad ground

[firetrucker]

I had that problem when I had a bad element in the water heater that was leaking through the water to ground.
I agree with Bob's suggestion of turning off all breakers, starting with the main, and then switching them on one by one until the problem occurs.

Bob

[Exnavydiver]

Thats what I am starting to think, I am plugged into an out building that was wired by the old guy that used to own this property and he was rumored to have been loony as a soup sandwich. His building skills were atrocious. I am scared to think what else is wrong in that little old house. I will drag the extension back to the sticks and bricks and try an outlet I know is good. It is dark and 34 outside right now and I want to get this remedied before I hit the road so if it is a trailer problem I can hit the dealer on the way south. Dave

[Exnavydiver]

Problem Solved! I had 80 volts from both the hot and the neutral to ground and 120 volts between neutral and hot. Have no idea how that outlet is wired and I really don't care at the moment, too cold to deal with right now. Thanks for the suggestions, I should have done that to begin with but haven't had to use my trouble shooting skills. The old KISS adage Keep It Simple Stupid.. Dave

[capn chris]

Glad to hear that you isolated and ID'd the problem. At least you can head south w/satisfaction?!!