"grounding" question

[joelwookiee]

OK, so what about the AC Ground (green) for shore power? (not using an inverter, only will have AC when plugged into shore)
Should that also ground to the trailer chassis, or just back through the ground wire of the shore power. I am planning on using only GFI outlets, by the way.
I have been warned that ground on shore power may not be grounded... but neither is a chassis sitting on rubber tires.

[Tom&Shelly]

OK, so what about the AC Ground (green) for shore power? (not using an inverter, only will have AC when plugged into shore)
Should that also ground to the trailer chassis, or just back through the ground wire of the shore power. I am planning on using only GFI outlets, by the way.
I have been warned that ground on shore power may not be grounded... but neither is a chassis sitting on rubber tires.

Yes, the chassis should be tied to the green wire shore power ground. The ground wire on the shore power should be grounded at the pedestal. That's code, and if it's not, something is wrong with the campsite's shore power system. We always carry one of those devices with three lights to check the connections are good before we tie in.

The reason for grounding your chassis is that if something is wrong and the line is touching the chassis, the current has a grounded path (besides one through a person). The neutral wire, on the other hand, should not tie to the ground anywhere on your trailer for shore power connections.

Tom

[rjgimp]

None if this has anything to do with AC. IMO the charger should be the only item plugged into shore power, all AC devices run off the House bank via inverters.

So... you plug into a 120VAC source, convert that AC current into 12VDC to charge your battery bank, then invert 12 VDC current BACK INTO 120VAC current to operate a 120VAC appliance...?

Why would you do that?

[bobhenry]

GREMLIN ALLERT ::::I am sorry but all dc circuits need a dedicated positive and a dedicated negative connection. I chase ground faults on a harbor freight trailer until I decided to add a small band clamp to the barrel of the tail lights and add a ground. The tow vehicle should also have a dedicated ground from the tow frame to the trailer. The ball connection is un reliable ! :::Just my two cents worth

[pchast]

I 've seen that as a problem
on a few different trailers too.

[tony.latham]

I chase ground faults on a harbor freight trailer...

I think the poster is asking about the cabin circuits and you're talking about the trailer light circuits, eh Bob?

I need coffee too.

Tony