Peg Leg
Anderson, IN
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Joined: 06/20/2004
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I never worried about the rig but since it sets on rubber and wooden blocks. Securing the service cable should isolate it well.
I always liked to watch a storm from outside when my leg was made from glued up wood blocks. I worry more about me now that I have a titainum one. I feel more like a ground rod.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
06 Hitchiker II LS 29.5 FKTS
Yamaha EF3000iSE
retired gadgetman
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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When I had units with an automatic transfer switch, I planned to go on the generator if a t-storm was close. Both were wired for generator priority, so the shore power would automatically disconnect, even tho' still plugged in to the pedestal. I figured that the little air gap between the open contacts was at least some protection. Never had to try it, since I rarely stay in CG's.
Lightning does not have to hit a power line to cause an overvoltage. When the large, powerful magnetic pulse that surrounds the arc of lightning cuts across power lines, it briefly induces extra voltage in the wire... what my dad, the mountaintop TV transmitter engineer, called a 'power bop'. The stronger the magnetic field is that crosses the wire, the more voltage is induced. This is why you used to hear distant thunderstorms in your home phone in the days when it went over copper wire... small lightning induced overvoltage spikes in the phone lines being expressed as scratchy static pops.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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Homer
Northeast Indiana
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Joined: 11/23/2000
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Bandaid is right on the direct hit. A surge suppressor will pretty much safeguard your system from a line spike due to lightening. Proof of this during a storm in Florida one winter. Lightening struck the power system some where. It did no damage to my system as I had a surge suppressor online. My brother next door to me took a major hit, burned his entire system up and could have been a disaster had we not put the fire out in the inside fuse box.
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weathershak
Not sure, I need to look out the window
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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Click here for the facts
Unplug your cord(s), and raise the jacks. An RV with a rubber roof and fiberglass sides offers no protection from a direct hit. You are safer in a car or a sturdy enclosed building.
Full timing it since July 2012 My pics
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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punkaccountant wrote:If camping and plugged into shore power, does anyone unplug if there is a thunderstorm or do you just leave it plugged in? I always get nervous, especially, overnight for fear of a lightening strike that could travel through the electrical.
The previous link for the strk club (Lightning info) is good info.
Also try this - go about 5-6 paragraphs down . .
John De Armond Q and A
See the paragraph . . .
"one of the simplest and yet most effective means of diverting lightning energy is to put a loop or two in all leads entering or leaving the equipment building."
(Your RV is 'the building')
AND - further down . . .
"All that said, the easiest way to protect an RV is to simply unplug it when a storm approaches."..
Sooooo - a loop -or two can't hurt- if you suspect storms, and don't plan on going out to unplug in a storm.
Use the search feature (here) and search "lightning" in the archives (for threads/posts over one year old).
Try with incorrect spelling also (it's common) = lightening
BTW - UNsafe vehicles include those made of wood, fiberglass and other plastics (RVs).
Rubber tires provide zero safety from lightning.
However - your metal* car or truck provides a faraday cage - which your RV does not.
(*If you tow with a Corvette, not a good place to hunker down!.. ..)
~
* This post was
last
edited 06/12/12 12:42pm by ol Bombero-JC *
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paulcardoza
Southeastern Massachusetts
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Joined: 01/15/2010
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So based on the currently active threads, my best bet would be for someone to steal my power cord just before a lighting storm blows through??????? :-/
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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paulcardoza wrote:So based on the currently active threads, my best bet would be for someone to steal my power cord just before a lighting storm blows through??????? :-/
Yep - thief gets some dejavu - and you . . .
just look for a crispy critter after the storm passes!. .
~
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Let me put it this way.. I lost an air conditiner once when the Trailer took a hit (Well the power lines near the park took a hit).
I have surge/spike protection on this house, several lawyers of it.
BY the way there are many myths about RVs and lightening, Like the little bit of rubber in the tires will protect you (NO IT WON'T) and such.
Best suggestion: DO NOT be the tallest thing around.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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slides
Piedmont of NC
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Joined: 12/09/2003
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Friends of mine camper took a direct hit while it was stored at home. Lightening struck the radio antenna. Insurance claim $10,000.00. Other than the tires the only other connection to anything was the tongue jack.
Use And Promote CB Channel 13
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Foggy
Kalamazoo Mi. U.S.A.
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Joined: 04/01/2001
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A close lightning strike puts somewhat of a charge to everything around it. I was kissing my barefoot wife goodby while I was holding onto the awning rail when lightning struck nearby. It was a very powerful kiss. Lightning rods work by bleeding of the charge before it strikes.
Happy-Trails
Foggy
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