Community Forums

Wire Wrat · 12-22-2011, 08:48 PM

We live in the western end of the Florida panhandle. Lightning is a very common occureance here. Durring thunder storms, we disconnect the microwave, and computers by throwing the breaker switches at the fuse box. Our travel trailer is connected to shore power by an outlet on the side of the house. Do any of you seasoned trailer owners disconnect the shore power durring bad weather?

173dave · 12-22-2011, 09:12 PM

Do you have insurance?

Wire Wrat · 12-22-2011, 09:21 PM

Well yes. We try to get it at least once a year. In Florida the politicians have got the insurance industry running from the state. If you have a brand new home, 900'above sea level, you are in the positive pool. otherwise, you have to get state insurance, and it is expensive. I hazzard a guess as to what they will do to you if you approach them with a claim.

srydve · 12-22-2011, 09:37 PM

A surge protector might be a good idea, if you don't already have one.

Davdeb1 · 12-22-2011, 09:40 PM

I would like to know also, should you disconnect? I have insurance but that won't protect m MH, just pay for the damage.

sdennislee · 12-22-2011, 09:44 PM

I disconnect from shore power and retract my power cord, reel in city water line, retract jacks and disconnect cable TV coax form the pedestal.

Davdeb1 · 12-22-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee

I disconnect from shore power and retract my power cord, reel in city water line, retract jacks and disconnect cable TV coax form the pedestal.

I never thought about the jacks, thanks

173dave · 12-22-2011, 10:03 PM

I guess I just don't worry enough. I have never been hit by lightening. Bullets yes, shrapnel yes, and I didn't even have insurance back then. I just don't see a real problem here, let it rain and thunder.

sdennislee · 12-22-2011, 11:04 PM

See this link re. jacks and lightning
Lightning Surge entering via the 'Jacks' !! - iRV2 Forums

RanCarr · 12-22-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wire Wrat

We live in the western end of the Florida panhandle. Lightning is a very common occureance here. Durring thunder storms, we disconnect the microwave, and computers by throwing the breaker switches at the fuse box. Our travel trailer is connected to shore power by an outlet on the side of the house. Do any of you seasoned trailer owners disconnect the shore power durring bad weather?

No we never have. But then we haven't had many storms pass by when we camped. I remember one storm in the Nashville TN area that was horrendous and knocked out power to the CG for many hours.

I was more worried one of the trees would blow down on ours or someone elses camper.

sdennislee · 12-22-2011, 11:43 PM

This a link to a video with Robert Schneider of Progressive Industries discussing electrical surges and RVs. At the 3 minute 40 second mark he speaks about lightning and jacks.

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/videos/pt1.wmv

wa8yxm · 12-23-2011, 11:32 AM

If you think an open breaker will protect against lightening you are fooling yourself.. it won't.. I've seen what happens to breakers in a direct hit (Thankfully NOT my house or mobile house)

The only protection would be to unplug the power cord from the park and stow it as though for travel.

The best answer above is "Do you have insurance" That is what it's there for.

IC2 · 12-23-2011, 11:45 AM

I wonder why you would crank up the jacks. Does the trailer just balance on the 4 wheel/tire assemblies? Do you pray that the charge wont enter the landing gear or front jack? I agree that to disconnect the pigtail from the post is a good idea, but beyond that, how much do you/can you do in your stick home? There gets to be the point of being ridiculous..............

173dave · 12-23-2011, 12:36 PM

Airplanes get hit by lighting when flying. They are not connected to power or have jacks when in the air. I think all this is just too much. Camp and stop all the panic. Lighting hits when and where it wants to. There is NOTHING you can do to stop it from hitting you if it's going to hit you.