AO_hitech
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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I had lightning strike somewhere in the subdivision in a "stick hose" Fortunately we were moving at the time and the only thing plugged in was a portable phone. It was toast, burnt toast...  A good surge protector can help protect you from these types of strikes. Nothing is going to help for a direct or nearly direct strike. Unplugging is the only protection for a nearly direct strike.
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down home
south
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Uh er ah well that's what I meant. Lightning first and clap of thunder from collapse of the air that the bolt went though.
I love to sit out under cover and watch storms.
I often reference Grand ma's because it was the stage of so many memories. The front porch faced to the north above all else on the mountain. You could see heat lightning far off over the mounta, on the
30 years ago My Cousin her kids, in Indiana and I watched a spectacular light show off in the west, in a massive storm moving east slowly. Ball lightning, in the clouds and all varities of energy.
We were headed for a fireworks display but the storms far and away were the best show.
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CRAMD
Saskatchewan,Canada
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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Interesting topic and discussion.
Especially interesting with regard to how to spell LIGHTNING.
NOT lighting, and NOT lightening.
Perhaps five out of twenty odd posts with the correct spelling.Maybe I'm just being picky, but poor spelling really detracts from what is being discussed in a forum thread.
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chesterb
Ohio
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Joined: 11/14/2010
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CRAMD wrote:Interesting topic and discussion.
Especially interesting with regard to how to spell LIGHTNING.
NOT lighting, and NOT lightening.
Perhaps five out of twenty odd posts with the correct spelling.Maybe I'm just being picky, but poor spelling really detracts from what is being discussed in a forum thread.
Seriously?! I realized the error but didn't bother to change it. If it detracts that much then maybe you shouldn't be on RV.net where the majority of posts have a misspelling or grammatical error. Eh?
2011 Dodge 2500 Hemi, Crewcab, 4x4, 4.10
2013 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2306
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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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.
Get a surge protectoe and leave it plugged in. I'm on vacation, I don't want to worry about plugging/unplugging because it starts raining.
Dave
Mary, the world's best wife (1951-2009) R.I.P
Lizzy (the Boston)
Izzy & BuddyP - Gone but not forgotten
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 35A
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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punkaccountant wrote:CRAMD wrote:Interesting topic and discussion.
Especially interesting with regard to how to spell LIGHTNING.
NOT lighting, and NOT lightening.
Perhaps five out of twenty odd posts with the correct spelling.Maybe I'm just being picky, but poor spelling really detracts from what is being discussed in a forum thread.
Seriously?! I realized the error but didn't bother to change it. If it detracts that much then maybe you shouldn't be on RV.net where the majority of posts have a misspelling or grammatical error. Eh?
x2
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frankdamp
Anacortes, or wherever we've gone.
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I'd love to get into a few of those. My rig could do to weigh less. I assume you meant "lightning" rather than "lightening". (Smart-ass Limey!)
Frank Damp, DW - Eileen
Anacortes, WA
'02 Georgetown 325, F53, V-10, bought used in 2010 at 13,000 miles.
Dogs - 2 Labs again, both yellow males, both 9 yrs old and both adopted.
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wintersun
Monterey
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I would definitely unplug from shore power. Even without a hit there is a high probability of a strong electrical surge that could take out some very expensive to repair or replace electronics (controller, inverter, solar controller, tank monitors, stereo, TV, fridge electronics, to name a few).
I have had lighting storm power surges take out lots of equipment, even cordless phones where the transformer for the charging base was left plugged into the wall power. At home I physically disconnect electronic equipment from the wall (unplug UPS and power strips) and do not trust the surge protection. With an RV the easiest solution is to unplug the shore power cord for the duration of the storm.
Surprised more RV's don't get fried in Florida, the lightning capital of the country. Safest state is Alaska in this respect.
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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punkaccountant wrote:OP here, I know the thread has migrated to a question on direct lightning hits but my original question was with regards to staying plugged to shore power or not. I read the white paper that another poster provided and it confirmed what I was doing was the right thing. If there are strong storms expected then I will continue to unplug. What I didn't realize is we should also pull up the jacks. I will try that too. Perhaps it is overkill but it will protect my trailer if there is a surge through the power lines.
Here's another recommendation for *unplugging* - and more . .
Good advice & info -..
~
For those that prefer to "risk it" (stay connected to the pedestal) -
go back to the previously posted John DeArmond info (quote):
"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 a building." (A building or an RV)
Obviously that would apply to your power cord.
Not too difficult - -
might even work for lightening storms too!.
~
* This post was
edited 06/15/12 04:05am by ol Bombero-JC *
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traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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A lightning strike about 200' from the house knocked out the garage door opener, TV and computer but only the settings were screwed up and nothing was destroyed.
Now I unplug the computer and TV when a storm approaches and I'd unplug the RV under similar circumstances.
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