Reverse Polarity Light (rpl)

[Kimberly Dawn]

I have a bit of electrical concern.

I have been checking my rpl when connecting to any shorepower source since reading a Tugnuts post. I keep our R27-OB at home on a trailer on shorepower 24/7. This has been my procedure since buying the boat 7/2018 without any issues that I've noticed.

Recently I've been working with my Victron monitor configuration and spending more time in front of my elec panel.

It's that time of year to throw heat into the cabin. I have 2 elec-resistant fan heaters going that I've always used without incident, 1 on port outlet and 1 on stbd outlet, with shorepower connection from my garage.

Each heater has a light to indicate it's plugged in, and I have no issues plugging these units into my outlets. HOWEVER, when the thermostat turns on the heater/fan, I see a soft glow of red light at Shorepower panel and AC Main breaker panel reverse polarity indicators. The Shorepower and the AC Main lights remain on with a bright glow.

I tried my mini vacuum and also get a soft red glow when turned on, although my Keurig machine has no impact. All devices have a polarized 2-prong plug, except Keurig is a polarized 3-prong plug.

Do I have an electrical problem? Batteries? Wiring?

Thanks for your feedback.

Bob
The Doghouse 2


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[2islanders]

I had a similar occurrence at home with mine. Turned out that ground prongs on the cord had become corroded (a bit green and not so shiny). Cleaned them up and problem solved. You might check those on your cords/connections.


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[2islanders]

Just clarify it was cord feeding the boat not the appliances.


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[Kimberly Dawn]

Thx for reply... no rpl red light with shorepower except for using appliances under load.

Bob

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Bob,

The reverse polarity light will glow based on how much voltage is seen between the white neutral wire and the green grounding wire. It sounds like the voltage in this case is caused by higher load currents causing some voltage on the neutral circuit. This could be due to a corroded or loose connection or small wire size with a long run. Are you perhaps using a long extension cord or plugging in to an outlet that is far from the breaker box panel. Any of the connections in the path from the boat to the panel could cause this if they are lose or corroded. If you can try connecting the boat to an outlet closer to the panel.

Curt

 

[knotflying]

I have always had this issue when plugged into the house on the hard, especially a ground fault outlet. They a different outlet to plug in shore power and see what happens.

 

[2islanders]

https://www.bluesea.com/support/article ... Indicators

You may find this link useful.


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[Kimberly Dawn]

Once again, thanks to all for the feedback.

The Blue Seas link was an especially helpful relief, indicating my system (boat wiring) is not adequate for the load, but at least it's not inherently dangerous.

I suspect my electric heaters have always caused this rpl soft glow in the previous 2 heating seasons, I just didn't place myself in a position to see it. I will try other home outlets to see if that makes any difference.

Bob
The Doghouse 2