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House 12 volt system not working?

Today I parked my coach at RV park in Ashland, WI right off Lake Superior and connected to 30 amp shore power.  When shore power came on (took bit while due to my ATS), I realized that lights (12 volts) are not working and the whole house 12 volt lights/etc are not working.  Checked house interface and the lights looks normal, but zero amp on 12v.

Let you know I feel 120 volt going into my fingers when I lock/unlock the deadbolt on the main door and also feel 120 volt when I touch the 12V cable that is connected to house interface box.

Sounds like poor grounding on shore power?  Does this affecting 12v house system?  the coach 12v works fine (can start the engine...).
1996 U-270
Build # 4951
Cummins 8.3

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #1 –
Door switch off?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #2 –
door switch?  you mean the three switches located on side of door entry?  They are not working too.
1996 U-270
Build # 4951
Cummins 8.3

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jclark93 –
door switch?  you mean the three switches located on side of door entry?  They are not working too.

Sorry meant the house battery disconnect.  Too easy I know.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jclark93 –
Let you know I feel 120 volt going into my fingers when I lock/unlock the deadbolt on the main door and also feel 120 volt when I touch the 12V cable that is connected to house interface box.
I would be extremely cautious with this situation.  The fact that you are feeling a "tingle" when you touch metallic parts of the coach could indicate a "Hot Skin" condition.  If present, this is caused by by a short somewhere in the electrical system.  In certain situations, it could possibly deliver a serious, potentially life threatening, shock.  Google "RV Hot Skin" for more information.  Here are a few links:

RV Hot Skin – Condition Causes Death of a Young Boy! -

The RV Doctor: Hot Hot Hot

Are "Little" Shocks OK? | No~Shock~Zone
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #5 –
Shore power bad?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #6 –
Ha that did the trick!  I guess my poodles might have accidently turned it off!!!
1996 U-270
Build # 4951
Cummins 8.3

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #7 –
You may have fixed the 12V issue but I would still be very concerned about the "tingling",
as C & J mentioned. 

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #8 –
Jamie,

All good posts above.  Shore power is NOT proper.  Ground is missing.  If combined with reverse polarity (easier to happen on 30 than on 50 amp) it could be LETHAL.

See if you can move to another site, after checking the connection at that site.

Other thing could be a problem with your adapter, but if the adapter worked well everywhere else, that would not be my first suspect.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #9 –
That situation is one of the many reasons we spent the big bucks on a EMS!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #10 –
I checked with voltmeter one lead on metal frame and other lead to ground and it says 15 volts. 
1996 U-270
Build # 4951
Cummins 8.3

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: jclark93 –
I checked with voltmeter one lead on metal frame and other lead to ground and it says 15 volts.
This is NOT acceptable.  Take Brett's advice (above) and move to another site - see if that solves the problem.  OR, unplug from the shore power pedestal and tell the campground manager to get a electrician out there and check things out (might be tough to do on Sunday).

Any other action is a gamble...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: jclark93 –
I checked with voltmeter one lead on metal frame and other lead to ground and it says 15 volts.
pedestal metal frame or coach? If coach unplug and check pedestal.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #13 –
coach.  With barefeet on ground and my finger pressing hard on deadbolt lock and I can feel electrical tingling...
1996 U-270
Build # 4951
Cummins 8.3

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #14 –
Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #15 –
I would IMMEDIATELY unplug from shore power under these conditions!!!!  Let no one else touch or enter your coach while this occurring.  Unplug and move ASAP.  Note: the problem may be in your coach, not the pedestal.

Read the links above.  This link from above may help RV Hot Skin – Condition Causes Death of a Young Boy! - 



Quote from: jclark93 –
coach.  With barefeet on ground and my finger pressing hard on deadbolt lock and I can feel electrical tingling...
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #16 –
Very likely enough current to kill a small pet were they to have a paw on step and one on wet ground.

Be careful out there!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #17 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
I would IMMEDIATELY unplug from shore power under these conditions!!!!  the problem may be in your coach, not the pedestal.

Yup, but sometimes it's too late if it is a shore power issue, that's why a EMS should be de rigueur. Older parks are getting scarry, and we don't trust their power anymore. We came close to burning the coach down at a "iffy" park last year. Not pretty.  :'(
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #18 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Yup, but sometimes it's too late if it is a shore power issue, that's why a EMS should be de rigueur. Older parks are getting scarry, and we don't trust their power anymore. We came close to burning the coach down at a "iffy" park last year. Not pretty.  :'(
X2, never plug the coach in without the progressive ind protection in place. You need to find the problem electricity is nothing to play with.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: House 12 volt system not working?

Reply #19 –
Quote from: bbeane –
X2, never plug the coach in without the progressive ind protection in place. You need to find the problem electricity is nothing to play with.

A rookie mistake freak-out I had yesterday, after the "monsoon" power outage, was, when power came back on next door, I still had no shore in the coach, yikes, "now what?". I was scratching my pea brain looking at the pedestal, when a loud "click" came from the EMS. I'd forgotten the EMS has a delay feature and was working as advertised!  :-[
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'