Community Forums

tcg · 10-13-2016, 04:51 PM

I keep relating this stuff to my 27 years experience in the boat industry. I have never seen a gfi at shore power connection. I've plugged in many many boats in the pouring rain while standing on wet pavement or a wet dock or wet grass and I have never even got a tingle.

My outdoor Christmas lights are plugged into various cords throughout my yard with some of the connections on the ground, they have been outside in rain and snow and have never tripped the gfi.

The point is, it's a good idea to be aware of things like puddles and electric cords but I don't think you're in danger of cooking yourself from a campground pedestal.

On a side note, marinas have a real issue, if the AC ground and DC ground are not tied together properly stray current can enter the water and if someone jumps in the water near the boat death occurs. Many marinas are now checking the water around boats for the stray current and disconnecting boats that have issues. Google ESD drowning for some interesting and scary information.

simplecamper · 10-15-2016, 11:01 PM

Having worked in HVAC, 30 amp 240 ac is common but I have never seen one with GFCI. So I google and sure enough there are plenty of them just lookout Home Depot for instance.....

I have surge protectors and circuit testers for my RV. Bad power I would think is more of an issue. I seal my electrical connections most of the time with electrical tape. This has worked for 30+ years with Christmas decorations. I never allow moisture near electricity. All my cords for my RV have handlers to insure safer connect disconnect.

jb60 · 10-17-2016, 08:34 AM

Thanks to all that replied to my original post. I have my answers to the question about having 30 or 50 amp ground fault outlets at campground pedestals.

I did find a plastic waterproof electrical box at a local hardware store, (and lots on the internet as well), that would accommodate the two 50 amp plugs connected together.

Naturally I'm going to have to eliminate the waterproof aspect of it, by making a couple slots in it for the cables to run through. If I ever find a permanent site to settle down at, I can always use some silicone to seal around the slots and cables. For now I'm just going to have to keep the box off the ground, and in a position where it won't fill up with rain water because of those slots cut in it.

JBDISCOVERY · 10-18-2016, 07:00 AM

Would like to add to the discussion of CG power.
I am adding a three position 30 amp switch (ON-OFF-ON) to our front air conditioner power circuit.
The switch allows access to the 20 amp service on almost all GC power pedestals.
One "ON" leg of the switch will carry the current power from the generator and shore power to the AC unit. (Black wire).
The center leg connects directly to the Front AC unit, completing the power to the AC unit.
The second "ON" leg connects to the GC 20 Amp service using a 12 gauge heavy duty extension cord.
This should solve the problem of running both AC units when it is really hot by cutting over to the 20 AMP service.
Currently the power management system cuts one or both units in and out.
Just something I wanted to pass along to all of you.
JimB

Dr4Film · 10-18-2016, 07:18 AM

Excellent idea!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

vincee · 10-18-2016, 10:21 AM

Nice to hear about the waterproof, or there for, boxes available at Home Depot etc.

beenthere · 10-18-2016, 09:39 PM

i was builder since '80-'03,, i have never even heard of anybody being hurt from the conditions you question... most common sense issues are just that. dont touch the open wire...well you know what i mean...there is a reason that gfci was implemented in the situation it was... on my construction sites i of course did the the safety wiring box to pull all cords from...but before that i never seen a problem..but i know it did happen someplace or they wouldnt have recommended the box..as many did not inspect cords for cuts and sliver's of wire touching one field to the other from running a scaffold over it or a ladder on it ect. so many regs happen because of others not using sense. but i guess if the people are there then better regulate them// oh dems making regs..

Dr4Film · 10-19-2016, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb60

I did find a plastic waterproof electrical box at a local hardware store, (and lots on the internet as well), that would accommodate the two 50 amp plugs connected together.

Naturally I'm going to have to eliminate the waterproof aspect of it, by making a couple slots in it for the cables to run through. If I ever find a permanent site to settle down at, I can always use some silicone to seal around the slots and cables. For now I'm just going to have to keep the box off the ground, and in a position where it won't fill up with rain water because of those slots cut in it.

Why buy a "waterproof" electrical box and then modify it to be "non-waterproof".

To me that just isn't common sense. I have used my 50 amp and 30 amp extensions a number of times with them laying on the ground under all types of inclement weather (except floods) without any problems or hints of a problem.

Waste of money in my opinion.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

jb60 · 10-19-2016, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Why buy a "waterproof" electrical box and then modify it to be "non-waterproof".

To me that just isn't common sense. I have used my 50 amp and 30 amp extensions a number of times with them laying on the ground under all types of inclement weather (except floods) without any problems or hints of a problem.

Waste of money in my opinion.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

The plastic waterproof boxes run from $15 to $20. Not a bad price for a box large enough to put two 50 Amp plugs into. A non-waterproof metal electrical type box would cost even more. And, (I think I mentioned), when I do find a permanent site to settle down on, I can always seal up the slots where the cables come into the box. I can even mount the box to the side of the RV, or set up a little, short 4x4 pedestal in the ground to mount the box to. But I'm not going to go through all that in a temporary site.