HW Switch Bites Backl

[EagleRunner]

Any of you had any experience with the HW switch giving a bit of a bite when you tried to switch it off or on while the coach is plugged in to shore power? I'm talking about the HW enable/disable switch for 120V heater element.

[EagleRunner]

After posting I realized I may have been a bit confusing with my post. When I attempt to remove the cotter pin from the switch, while the coach is plugged into shore power, is when I get the bite. My hands are not that big but it is extremely difficult to not have part of your hand grounding out somewhere near that switch. When that happens and I am touching that pin I get a bit of a shock.

[dsprik]

Tom, I'll be watching this for an answer, too. I have never heard of this problem, but I can't believe it's "normal". I also have big hands.

[Broome101]

You have a grounding problem if you are getting bit by doing such.Either in the switch or the unit itself.

[steves]

Agree with the grounding statement. I've never had a problem installing or removing the cotter pin while connected to shore power.

[sreigle]

Also agree about grounding. We used to get this when we touched any metal while barefoot when hooked to shore power at our stick home. It turned out to be a bad ground in the 110v patio outlet of the stick house.

[lightningjack11]

My bet is grounding and the first place I would check is the input receptacle. Plugging and removing the power cable a lot could lossen a connector at the Monty plug. It has happened to at least one forum member.

The only other thing I can think of is the shore power may have a ground problem. But it definately soumds like grounding.

[gitrdun]

I use a long pair of needle nose pliers, because of my fingers so big. But no getting juiced from operating switch. Bad ground.

[kdeiss]

I leave that pin out I see no need to to put back. If you are getting shocked I would check with a volt meter to see if you are getting voltage leakage around that switch if I am understanding your problem.If you are getting a voltage reading around that switch it needs ro be replaced

[EagleRunner]

Thanks for your input. It was a grounding problem. The ground lug on the 30-Amp extension cord was loose and making contact only intermittently. Tightened that down and the problem went away.

[Broome101]

Good Deal

[VanMan]

I did a little roof repair on our previous TT and just as I was finishing up it started to mist a little. A couple of hours later I went out to check to see if the caulk job was ruined. I have a surplus metal aircraft step stand to work from. I went out with my tennis shoes on, climbed the wet steps, leaned on the wet metal railing with one hand and reached out with the other to test the wet metal roof. I got quite a jolt! I got on the Usenet groups (before all these nice forums existed) and determined it must be a ground problem. Upon investigation, I found the 100' extension cord I was using was one I used to use for hedge trimmers. It had been cut in half and repaired several times + the ground pin had been cut off a long time ago to fit in an old non-grounded, 2 prong recepticle + the wide prong had been ground down to fit the old receptical (disregarding polarity). That puppy went right in the trash and I bought new heavy duty ones. Shock treatment seems to make me remember my mistakes - never again will I make that one! Sometimes reminiscing about these things just makes be glad to be ALIVE !!!

[lightningjack11]

Great job Eagle Runner. Glad your back to normal.

Mobil,

Can't count the times I have been shocked working around electrical things. It all shows how important grounding is.