GF Circuit breaker trouble

[frankfarmer]

1993 limited 34 ft. This 15 amp GF CB keeps tripping, replaced it, new one still trips, all other circuits else works OK. Battery charger on this circuit breaker, plugged into outlet I guess. Having to charge batteries on outside seperate line. Waiting on service man to come maybe??? It's been a problem for a month or more, works sometimes, trips sometimes. Giving me one headache. Any idea at all of the possible problem????

[TG Twinkie]

Is there an exterior outlet on this trailer? Can you locate all of the outlets fed by the GFI? Have you tried unplugging the converter and all devices that may be plugged in to the GFI circuit? If there is an outside outlet, look for signs of moisture or dirt in the outlet box. Make sure you have the power off before removing the cover.

[frankfarmer]

Thanks, yes one outside outlet, I'll look at it. I tried unplugging all devices & the GFI still tripped, ???? Some water is leaking inside from condensation on windows.

[Protagonist]

This came up recently on another thread as well. One thing to check: make sure the 12v system and the 110v system have completely independent grounding systems.

Are there any 12v systems turned on when the GFCI trips? If so, the grounding system may be your problem. Any voltage detected in the 110v ground wire, such as current from a 12v system connected to the same ground, is treated by the GFCI as a ground fault.

[frankfarmer]

You are a better electrician than me, problem going on off for a month or more, replaced GFI & all worked fine for a week or more then friday it tripped again, ???? unplugged all from outlets, no change it still trips. Using outside battery charger so OK for now, too cold to dig into problem for now, live full time in AS.

Thanks for all help/advise, hard to get service guy to come look into problem.

[richinny]

you fridge might be on that gfci line. the outlet is in the outside compartment, on the interior of the outside wall (follow the cord). how damp does that area feel?

[frankfarmer]

Fridge is OK, not one the same line.

Cool, you also have a 34 ft. classic. Mine built in 1992 however in very good shape, most all new appliances, furnace, tankless water heaters, fan units, interior carpets, etc....

Have direct battery charger connected so everything important works, no hurry to find out the source of the problem I guess. I'll have service man come down soon when it warms up some. I do not have a good way to know what outlet or line is shorted out???

[richinny]

from what i've read in other threads with this issue it is a step by step process. unplugging everything from that line and see if it still trips. you can plug the converter into a different circuit. if it still trips then you have a problem in the wiring and need to inspect each connection and outlet in that circuit. if it only trips during periods of high humidity i would only have the electrician come out in similar conditions.

[frankfarmer]

Ricky, thanks for advise, understand. I will try & track down the short??? as soon as it warms up some. It's been a problem for 2 months really, on/off/random??

[jerry d]

Where did you buy the replacement GFCI? The electrical components sold at the big box outlets are not the same quality as the ones sold thru Electrical suppliers.
I ask because you said that it worked for a while then became problematic.
There is a problem with counterfit electrical products coming in from China, and the Big Box stores typically buy if not counterfit products, then certainly of lesser quality.

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by frankfarmer

Thanks, yes one outside outlet, I'll look at it. I tried unplugging all devices & the GFI still tripped, ???? Some water is leaking inside from condensation on windows.

I had a similar issue on a previous trailer. The condensation (morning dew) was leaking into the outside outlet, not enough to really see, but after I recaulked the cover, the problem went away.

[jerry d]

The battery charger should not pose a problem when plugged into a GFCI, and the grounds tied in common should pose no problem either.

Make sure the gfci is conected to the line side rather than the load side terminals on the back.

[Dusty-B]

Had a similar problem. Took the white common wire that goes from the breaker to the common rail in the breaker box completely out and turned it end for end and it worked. Not sure why but still continues to work.

[barts]

GFCI breakers trip because of current leakage; e.g. not all the juice leaving on the hot leg is coming back on the neutral leg. When obvious causes such as wet outlets, etc. are ruled out, look for ground loops - small differences in grounding between various systems. In this case, I'd make sure the battery charger output is grounded properly.

- Bart

[frankfarmer]

Thanks for all advise, ran direct line to converter so plenty power, service man has yet to visit to try & find the problem.