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07-30-2013, 07:39 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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GFCI at storage fails
We had successful run. All worked in each campground, never tripped GFCI.
we get home, for first time I plug in 50-30 pigtail adapter. Next I plug on 30-15 AMP.
Next, I plug into our storage facility, 15AMP. No problem.
Finally, I go inside and power up the MAIN, no power. So I head out to find the GFCI popped. Hmmm.
I turn off the MAIN and GFCI resets fine. Hmmm
Rather than continuing to pop GFCI I will need to diagnose a bit.
So here we go.. Any thoughts on cause?
Thanks in advance!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-30-2013, 07:44 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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BTW... I did "bond" the breaker box.
Our easiest test is to flip one breaker at a time to isolate faulting circuit.
Till then all power off!.. in storage..so go carefully!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-30-2013, 08:13 AM
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#3
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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GFCI at storage fails
Quote:
Originally Posted by cwf
Finally, I go inside and power up the MAIN, no power. So I head out to find the GFCI popped. Hmmm.
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I'll preface my remarks by saying, I'm not an electrician. But as a safety coordinator at work, I deal with GFCI on a semi-regular basis under a variety of working conditions.
One thing to check in particular, does your service entrance GFCI trip when the interior GFCI breaker is thrown?
At a number of construction sites I've had occasion to visit for work, it doesn't happen every time, but when you've got two GFCIs in series— a GFCI circuit plugged into a GFCI source— the upstream GFCI (closest to the source) can register the other GFCI as a fault, and trip.
As long as you've got GFCI circuits inside your trailer, you don't need to plug the trailer into a GFCI-protected source. It's overkill, and it may actually be what's killing your power.
Side note, a GFCI that trips hasn't "failed." A GFCI that trips works.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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07-30-2013, 08:57 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
I'll preface my remarks by saying, I'm not an electrician.........
Side note, a GFCI that trips hasn't "failed." A GFCI that trips works.
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Agreed! It does NOT fail! It would be BAD for it to FAIL, especially at wrong time. !!!!!
If I said "failed" I FAILED!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-31-2013, 02:23 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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"Problem solved"!!!!
Dang "overachievers" non-anonymous !!!!!!
Removed "bonding screw" from new breaker box and it's tickin' chikin'!!!!!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-31-2013, 02:54 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member 
1973 29' Ambassador
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 97
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I had the exact same problem. turned out to be my univolt, which I replaced with a PD9245 and never looked back (<$200 and a few hours of fiddling)
ETA: to test this, unplug your univolt and run an extension cord from the storage pole directly to the univolt AC plugin, if it trips, you just found the problem
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07-31-2013, 04:19 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheshire
I had the exact same problem. turned out to be my univolt, which I replaced with a PD9245 and never looked back (<$200 and a few hours of fiddling)
ETA: to test this, unplug your univolt and run an extension cord from the storage pole directly to the univolt AC plugin, if it trips, you just found the problem
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I replaced my original converter as well!
Thanks for advice, if problem "comes back" I will verify as you suggest!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-31-2013, 04:38 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member 
1973 29' Ambassador
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 97
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glad you found the issue and that it was a free fix! those are the best!
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08-01-2013, 11:50 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheshire
glad you found the issue and that it was a free fix! those are the best!
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Agreed!
Once removing the "bonding" screw it behaved properly! I usually bond for safety but mounted inside the AS probably over cautious!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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08-01-2013, 10:16 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
2012 28' International
Issaquah
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 773
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If by bonding, you mean connecting the ground and neutral busses in the trailer.
DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Here is one explanation.
120 VAC in your RV
__________________
Dave
2014 Ram 2500 CTD
Pro Pride
Centramatics
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08-01-2013, 10:20 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daveswenson
If by bonding, you mean connecting the ground and neutral busses in the trailer.
DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Here is one explanation.
120 VAC in your RV
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Yup. Learned without killing anyone. I am blessed as God takes care of fools and kids!!!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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08-01-2013, 10:22 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2012 28' International
Issaquah
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwf
Yup. Learned without killing anyone. I am blessed as God takes care of fools and kids!!!
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Good thing!!
__________________
Dave
2014 Ram 2500 CTD
Pro Pride
Centramatics
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