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NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 05:58 AM

Saturday my outdoor GFCI tripped and now will not stop. I replaced the outlet and it still trips as soon as I plug in the AS.
The breaker is 20 amp. I have had the AS plugged in here for nearly a year sometimes 2 AS.
The only thing new this weekend was the heat it was over 95.
The AS runs fine from my generator and a regular outlet without tripping. But it trips the GFCI even when everything is turned off.
I am thinking about putting in a 30 amp rv outlet today, but my concern is something is wrong with the AS (85 Excella)
Any thoughts?

87MH · 06-14-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashBuff

Saturday my outdoor GFCI tripped and now will not stop....my concern is something is wrong with the AS (85 Excella)
Any thoughts?

Might be an issue with an outlet or the wiring in the Excella -

Did you try plugging it in with all of the circuit breakers in the Excella in the "off" position?

If the GFCI stays on with the trailer CB's "off", turn the CB's "on" one at a time to find out which circuit gives you trouble.

On the '78 there was enough "dust" in the outlet behind the mirror in the bathroom that, when showering, enough condensation settled on the outlet that it would trip the GFCI - what a pain in the butt that was.

You may also want to check out (with a good ohmeter) if there is any resistance at all between any two prongs on your umbilical line male plug (Circuit Breakers in the "off" position). There is a good chance that some fraying may have occured in the line, or you may have some corrosion in the plug itself.

DKDarrow · 06-14-2010, 06:28 AM

So are you saying that the outlet that is popping is the one on your wall connected to your breaker box that you plug in the umbilical from the trailer?.............When you plug in the trailer it pops? What about when you plug in something else. I assume the outlet uses the special 3 prong plug that is especially for RVs? Can you use an adapter to create a regular 110 type outlet and plug something in?.........

GFIs are a pain; but try isolating if it is the trailer or the outlet.........Dennis

RickDavis · 06-14-2010, 07:01 AM

Post 2 covers it well. In addition you might want to check any outside outlets on your trailer. They will get moisture/dirt inside and cause the same problem.
I had one occurence where I traced it down to the fridge on electric, apparently enough moisture had gotten into the insulation around the heating element, but that unit had not been run in a couple years.. GFCI plugs only require a few milliamps unbalance to trip.. Just like lawnmowers, we are making every thing so safe nothing works anymore

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 07:02 AM

The outlet is a regular GFCI outlet I am using an adapter at the umbilical from trailer. The GFCI does not pop when I plug in my wet vac and run it.
I just tried turning off all CB in trailer and it still pops.
So it seems like your right Dennis it must be the main cord, correct?
Also are GFCI more sensitive? Because it is not tripping a regular 20 amp with no GFCI.

garry · 06-14-2010, 09:02 AM

The GFCI is telling you you have current on your ground wire and is protecting you from a potential shock hazard. Outlets with out the GFCI do not test for this condition so they would not trip, same thing with the generator.

I guess you are using a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter to plug-in to the outlet and they do go bad my 1st guess would be to replace the adapter.

Next would be the RV cord itself starting at the plug end and look for an open (burnt) neutral (white) wire.

The best thing would be to meter between the prongs with breakers off to find the a short or open neutral.

The GFCI is a safety device so plugging into a non GFCI is not a solution to the problem.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 10:29 AM

Yep I think my main plug is the problem. I'll get a new one and check back. Thanks for the help.

Jammer · 06-14-2010, 02:07 PM

Often the problem is a short between neutral and ground somewhere. This is probably what you're facing if the GFCI still trips with all the breakers shut off in the trailer, as soon as you plug in the shore power cord.

To diagnose this, you (or your electrician or RV tech if you haven't done this sort of work) have to disconnect the neutral wires in the breaker box one at a time, until it stops tripping. Then you have do the same thing going down the branch circuit until you find the problem. It's a pain.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 04:58 PM

I guess that's where I am because I replaced the plug (which was rusted inside) and still have the same problem.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 07:05 PM

If the GFCI still trips when all the breakers are in the off position isn't my problem before it gets to the panel?
Also because the GFCI is more sensitive how big of a problem do I have?
Thanks,
Kevin

2airishuman · 06-14-2010, 07:18 PM

hi 'buff

i know nuttin' about juice but had a similar issue.

u can read about it here, there is much good advice in some of the posts.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...lks-21082.html

there are many places where a shorted neutral-ground can develop,

in my case discovery involved running EACH line (each breaker) to find the culprit.

they've got a gizmo now that will do this from the breaker box, i think.

cheers
2air'

garry · 06-14-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashBuff

If the GFCI still trips when all the breakers are in the off position isn't my problem before it gets to the panel?
Also because the GFCI is more sensitive how big of a problem do I have?
Thanks,
Kevin

Not necessarily you could have a neutral to ground short somewhere in the trailer.

Jammer covered the way to find the problem.

One common problem is with the outside receptacle on the RV getting moisture or dirt causing a ground fault.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 07:35 PM

Thanks for pointing out the thread. Looks like I have a hard problem to solve.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 07:37 PM

Ok I am getting it now. Thanks.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 07:56 PM

Another thought after reading the long thread. Does when my tripping started help me figure it out?
Everything has been going great for months. Saturday I was running the AC and stereo pretty load while I was doing some sealing outside then ... trip.
Also the AC is brand new.

NashBuff · 06-14-2010, 08:37 PM

I found the breaker with the problem. It is the center breaker which runs the AC and some outlets in the kitchen. So since the AC was just installed and nothing else is plugged in the outlets, can I assume it is the AC? Thanks for the help!

garry · 06-15-2010, 02:18 PM

That would be my bet.

They may have tied the neutral and ground together at the AC or if they ran new wiring you might look in the breaker panel to see if they put the ground (copper wire) in he same terminal block as the neutral wires. They must be separate in an RV.

HowieE · 06-15-2010, 02:31 PM

If the GFI trips when all the beakers are off the problem is before the panel and most likely in the umbilical cord itself. If you have had a lot of rain and an older cord the cord may be wet inside.

If you have used this system for a year or so and changed nothing in the house electrical supply to the receptacle and nothing in the trailer I would look at the cord for cracks in the outer skin.

If you were able to run the AC for more than a second it is not in the AC.

NashBuff · 06-15-2010, 04:31 PM

Post #8 Jammer is the way I am heading. To review:
Trips when all CB are off, however, when I disconnect the ground on the middle CB and turn all the others on, it does not trip.
The middle CB controls the AC/Micro and some outlets in the kitchen area. And since the AC was just installed I thinking it became ungrounded.
It all was working fine until midday on Saturday. Just in case I have put in a new plug and new outlet, but because of the above I gues they were not a problem.
Is there a test on the AC and/or the outlets to find which one is the problem.

2airishuman · 06-15-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashBuff

...Is there a test on the AC and/or the outlets to find which one is the problem.

remove the inner shroud or vent filters and locate the AC juice/junction box.

check the 3 wires and screws and so on INSIDE that box.

do this while UNplug-ed.

this was the location of da short on my unit, as noted in the other thread.

and to contradict howie YES the gfci would TRIP even with the breakers off.

naturally moisture or other locations may be the issue,

it's very hard for ne1 online to sort this out on a trailer in cyberspace.

keep at it.

cheers
2air'