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Old 03-09-2018, 05:15 PM   #1
N2BchMtnMrsh
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Getting SHOCKED!!

We finally pulled our Montana out of storage. Our last trip was to Las Vegas and it was the same weekend as the tragic shooting. Anyway, when I was unloading the under storage, I received a severe SHOCK from the frame of the storage door, nearly knocked me on my can. Any hints on where to start trouble shooting?? PS: I did hook my house 110 to the trailer just to get the fridge cooled down and watch TV while loading and cleaning., not running anything else.
 
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Old 03-09-2018, 06:05 PM   #2
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Bad green wire safety ground. Could be in your power cord, or 50/30/20 adapter I assume you are using. Could be your home outlet missing a ground. Start testing at the home outlet and proceed down the line until you find the break.
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Old 03-09-2018, 06:50 PM   #3
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I agree bad ground wire. I had the same problem in my old home place. It’s a house but it’s the same problem.
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Old 03-09-2018, 09:06 PM   #4
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Sounds like a grounding problem to me.

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Old 03-10-2018, 06:54 AM   #5
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Unplug before you get seriously injured
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Old 03-10-2018, 08:38 AM   #6
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Same happened to me on our first camp out several years ago. Being an electronic engineer, I pulled out my test equipment and found a missing ground from the campground power. I found on this forum numerous suggestions/recommendations for a surge protector/ems system that would detect such issues and prevent such an electrifying experience. I purchased a portable surge guard with LED display. After purchasing our current unit, I installed a
Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C Electrical Management System - Hardwire 50A W Digital Remote Display. I mounted the digital display in the switch panel.
As an example, my brother had his motor home in a repair facility for a mechanical issue. They told him he could stay for the night and plug into their 30 amp receptacle. He didn't have any sort of surge protection and it turned out the receptacle was a 240 VAC used for welding. It took out almost every electrical appliance in his rig. Something else you can avoid.
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Old 03-10-2018, 09:06 AM   #7
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I had something like that happen also. Found that I had a BAD dogbone adapter.
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Old 03-10-2018, 10:24 AM   #8
N2BchMtnMrsh
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THANK YOU! I should have taken science classes instead of Business classes. I discovered that the extension cord I was using had a BROKEN GROUND POLE on it. I changed the extension cord and no more getting SHOCKED out of my "Fruit of the Looms!" And YES, that extension cord is now headed to the land fill!!! Too back the recycler,s wont take it. But my next question. When we were in Las Vegas, the entire right side of our Montana was dead, electrically. We had a repair guy come out and say our inverter was wired incorrectly, was a cheap unit and was bad. So SHOULD WE GET A NEW INVERTER? And if so, what brand do you guys/gals recommend? We have the 2013 3750FL. We never dry camp but do occasionally stop at a rest stop to fix meals and rest up, using the microwave, tv and sometimes the AC. Is an inverter a valuable asset?
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Old 03-10-2018, 11:34 AM   #9
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There are several good inverters out there, Magnum Research and GoPower are both decent units. If you do not dry camp you need to determine if it is worth the investment for just a few stops at rest stops.

When the right side was dead in Las Vegas were you connected to shore power or were you in a rest stop? If you were connected to shore power it sound like you may have a different issue than a bad inverter. The inverter really doesn't come into play when you are connected to shore power.
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Old 03-10-2018, 11:46 AM   #10
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I assume your inverter is just for the residential refrigerator? Don't see how an inverter would take out 1/2 the 5'er power. He might be right in that it is cheap. Sounds to me more likely a leg of power is/was missing. Could be missing from the source where you plug in to park power or anywhere down stream. Example, your dog bone if using 30amp, an open in your 50 amp cord, or a problem in your 5'er wiring or breaker panel. Sometimes these repair guys make things sound worse than they really are just to justify their charge.
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Old 03-10-2018, 12:15 PM   #11
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But if we ever do Dry Camp, is the inverter a valuable asset? We have a solar panel to charge the batteries, so that is a plus. Just wondering if having the inverter inspected might be a wise thing, along with the wiring.
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Old 03-10-2018, 12:36 PM   #12
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An inverter is worthwhile if you dry camp. Are all your plugs working now after the repair guy worked it or does it still need repair? Assuming the installed inverter is for residential refrigerator, is it working when not connected to shore power? These questions will help determine if more service is required.
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Old 03-10-2018, 01:52 PM   #13
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Hi

I am not advocating operating without a ground but. On a 120 V extension cord you should not have been shocked even without a ground unless you have an additional problem that needs to be addressed.

I would have someone look at the receptacle you were plugged into to make sure the neutral and line are not reversed.

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Old 03-10-2018, 08:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N2BchMtnMrsh View Post
<snip>... When we were in Las Vegas, the entire right side of our Montana was dead, electrically. We had a repair guy come out and say our inverter was wired incorrectly, was a cheap unit and was bad. So SHOULD WE GET A NEW INVERTER? And if so, what brand do you guys/gals recommend? We have the 2013 3750FL....
</snip>
OK color me confused! The only Montana which comes with an inverter is the "nnn1" models with the residential refrigerator. And even it only powers the refer and nothing else.

Your 3750 will not have an inverter unless you added one. If you did add one, is it setup to power all the 120V circuits on the RV? I doubt it as the microwave, AC and hot water heater do not get along with an inverter and the back end battery bank.

You say the right side was dead electrically. Assuming you mean the door side, what plugs were inop?

Most likely the 50 amp plug or your 50 amp cord had a dead leg. There are two legs to a 50 amp supply. One side of the CB panel is fed by one leg and the other side is fed by the other leg. While a dead leg will take out 1/2 of the circuits, the Old World's Craftsmen are unlikely to have wired it so that all right and left side circuits are separated in the panel.

I think we need more specifics of the problem. Also is it resolved?

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Old 03-10-2018, 10:53 PM   #15
N2BchMtnMrsh
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Yes, the inverter was an add on. Which is why the highly recommended RV repairman said it was installed in a way he has never seen and why it failed. We have an RV repairman coming soon and we will have him look at the whole inverter situation. The dealer did several add ones that we discovered were done poorly. I no longer trust RV dealers!
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Old 03-22-2018, 10:19 AM   #16
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A quick update. My inverter was 'broken' and I am getting it replaced. I also discovered that the "black tank sprinkler system" had a bad connection between the tank and pipe. Thank you for all the tips, these Montana's are complicated 'moving houses' that need maintenance. This repair service is also going to reseal all my roof openings, for only $400. If anyone needs a good referral for the Orange County area of CA, let me know.
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Old 03-22-2018, 10:27 AM   #17
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Thanks for the update - it really helps when folks follow up after asking questions.
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