What would you do power issues at park

[Elite Washington]

Okay so I just wanted to get an idea on what others would do in this same situation. This past weekend we were at camp and I am booking up our electric. Well I get the warning that their is an open ground. When I touched the power box or the metal latches on my coach I got a light shock.

So I went and told the ownership and they said that an open ground shouldn’t cause any problems but they would come out and take a look. Of course after messing around with it the owner got shocked as well.

They moved us to another site and all was good. Later in the evening the two campsites that were affected by this got new guests. One family had a surge protector and one didn’t. Now I don’t know if they were told about the problems but my question is what would you do?

Would you go up and ask them if they experienced any problems? Or would you think you did your part so it’s up to ownership?

[cavie]

If I knew and didn't tell them I would not be able to sleep. But that is just the electrician in me.

[Judge]

To me it's like the old saying "if someone jumped off a bridge, would you follow just because they did?"

If ownership didn't make a big deal about, then I would assume they wouldn't tell the next guest. I would tell them for fear of them damaging their coach or worse... someone getting hurt.

The problem with a grounding issue is that is can lead to more serious issues if there are other problems with the wiring.

[TurnerFam]

If there was an opportunity for me to casually walk by and mention it to them, I would. Some might have a reaction, like you did, and others might not care as much, especially if they'd seen that condition before, or had already resolved it, etc.

Giving them the info certainly doesn't hurt, and yes, it's up to the management to make sure the electrical connection is safe, but it's also true that many owners may not even know 'what' to do when you point this out to them, even if it shocks THEM in the process. If it's a weekend, it's also likely they know that no electrician is going to come out, regardless, and maybe they just put the other campers on notice that this was a 'known' issue, but that they could stay there if they wished, if they felt o.k. with it.

Some of us RV owners have had this 'shock' on the outside of our own RVs. Some call it 'hot skin' because it seems to only provide a tingle, or slight shock, on the metal skin, or metal doorframes, or metal threshholds of the RV. What causes it can be a wiring condition within the Shore Cord, or the RV, or even at the Shore Power pedestal, like what you experienced. It's doubtful that it's any real risk, but it's sure not pleasant when you encounter it. I would suggest that it's a stray wire, like the ground wire, that is not making a connection correctly, etc.

here's more: http://noshockzone.org/rv-electrical...%20AC%20outlet.

"An RV Hot-Skin condition occurs when the frame of the vehicle is no longer at the same voltage potential as the earth around it. This is usually due to an improper power plug connection at a campsite or garage AC outlet. Now to be honest, I think the majority of campgrounds have properly wired and maintained power pedestals, but certainly there are instances where a campsite has outlets with reversed polarity or without proper grounding at all. But I’ve seen enough “rewiring” jobs to know that RV owners are also to blame for improper wiring of their own extension cords and 30-amp adapters."

[cavie]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

If there was an opportunity for me to casually walk by and mention it to them, I would. Some might have a reaction, like you did, and others might not care as much, especially if they'd seen that condition before, or had already resolved it, etc.

Giving them the info certainly doesn't hurt, and yes, it's up to the management to make sure the electrical connection is safe, but it's also true that many owners may not even know 'what' to do when you point this out to them, even if it shocks THEM in the process. If it's a weekend, it's also likely they know that no electrician is going to come out, regardless, and maybe they just put the other campers on notice that this was a 'known' issue, but that they could stay there if they wished, if they felt o.k. with it.

Some of us RV owners have had this 'shock' on the outside of our own RVs. Some call it 'hot skin' because it seems to only provide a tingle, or slight shock, on the metal skin, or metal doorframes, or metal threshholds of the RV. What causes it can be a wiring condition within the Shore Cord, or the RV, or even at the Shore Power pedestal, like what you experienced. It's doubtful that it's any real risk, but it's sure not pleasant when you encounter it. I would suggest that it's a stray wire, like the ground wire, that is not making a connection correctly, etc.

here's more: RV Electrical Safety: Part IV – Hot Skin - No~Shock~Zone.

"An RV Hot-Skin condition occurs when the frame of the vehicle is no longer at the same voltage potential as the earth around it. This is usually due to an improper power plug connection at a campsite or garage AC outlet. Now to be honest, I think the majority of campgrounds have properly wired and maintained power pedestals, but certainly there are instances where a campsite has outlets with reversed polarity or without proper grounding at all. But I’ve seen enough “rewiring” jobs to know that RV owners are also to blame for improper wiring of their own extension cords and 30-amp adapters."

This is all 100% good info. Except when an elderly person with a hart condition or a pace maker is involved.

[Bob Denman]

I'd tell them...

[TripleGGG]

Definitely tell them!

[EA37TS]

I would tell them and if I saw them pulling in I. would tell them before they started getting settled into. the site. They could then make the decision as to hook up or request another site before expending too much time on that site.

[Elite Washington]

Thank you for the replies. I didn’t get a chance to speak with the other campers but probably could had made bigger effort to go speak with them. We had friends with us for their first ever trip in their new RV so I was busy trying to help them out and I explained to them the importance of getting a protector. By the time I even noticed people had moved into our old spot it was late. That night of course when it was too late to go knock on their door and say something is when I really got to thinking about hence the question to you all. It really bothers me that the campground would let someone stay in there but who knows what was said. They probably said something along the lines of if you have any problems with the power let us know. So unless you are paying attention and know what the tingle feels like when you get shocked may not had even noticed it.

[blw2]

i'd most likely make an effort to tell them... because it's a potential safety issue
but I would not make a federal case of it ....and I would not try to throw the CG folks under the buss.
or
after giving it more thought I might be inclined to go have another discussion with the CG folks about it first to learn their reasoning.

It's probably been like that a long time. Lots of folks have stayed there like that without issue and lots probably did afterwards. Kind of don't think it's a somebody is going to die sort of emergency situation.

Kind of tightrope walk in a way....maybe

[paulwadley]

I think I would tell them at the first opportunity possible. It could lead something happening to their coach and possibly the entire campground.


Paul

[cavie]

Originally Posted by blw2

i'd most likely make an effort to tell them... because it's a potential safety issue
but I would not make a federal case of it ....and I would not try to throw the CG folks under the buss.
or
after giving it more thought I might be inclined to go have another discussion with the CG folks about it first to learn their reasoning.

It's probably been like that a long time. Lots of folks have stayed there like that without issue and lots probably did afterwards. Kind of don't think it's a somebody is going to die sort of emergency situation.

Kind of tightrope walk in a way....maybe

If there is a problem with the ped and the campground knows it they NEED TO BE THROWN UNDER THE BUSS. Electricity kills!

[Mulva]

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

Okay so I just wanted to get an idea on what others would do in this same situation. This past weekend we were at camp and I am booking up our electric. Well I get the warning that their is an open ground. When I touched the power box or the metal latches on my coach I got a light shock.

So I went and told the ownership and they said that an open ground shouldn’t cause any problems but they would come out and take a look. Of course after messing around with it the owner got shocked as well.

They moved us to another site and all was good. Later in the evening the two campsites that were affected by this got new guests. One family had a surge protector and one didn’t. Now I don’t know if they were told about the problems but my question is what would you do?

Would you go up and ask them if they experienced any problems? Or would you think you did your part so it’s up to ownership?

I would want to know if there was a chance I might damage my coach. Wouldn’t you. Most parks are not going to be held responsible for electrical issue. I purchased a Progressive Surge Protector to support the one already built with my coach, but if you know there’s an issue, don’t take a chance.

[The_Breeze]

If you see something, say something.

[Elite Washington]

Thank you all for the replies, I guess next time I might handle it differently if I get the opportunity to speak with the people before they pull in. Or if they or we are going to be there multiple days for sure. I think it might be more situational and you have to hope the campground did the right thing.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

If you see something, say something.

I think I've heard that before..,
And it STILL applies!

I had a friend lose his 5'er at a park when a pedestal shorted out and started a fire in a neighboring RV. The fire got to the propane tank!

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

Thank you all for the replies, I guess next time I might handle it differently if I get the opportunity to speak with the people before they pull in. Or if they or we are going to be there multiple days for sure. I think it might be more situational and you have to hope the campground did the right thing.

Don't reconsider if they've already pulled in. Let them know. I, for one, would appreciate knowing. Like Bob said, stuff can still happen and it doesn't have to happen right away.