Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-01-2017, 11:30 AM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
2016 28' Flying Cloud
The Plains , Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 159
GFCI question

Brand new 2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate. First long trip and frequently had to reset GFCI outlet and at other times the GFCI circuit breaker. Often this occurred with nothing connected and often after having been driving and just having been plugged into shore power.
Since getting home I have tested the outlets with a three light outlet tester. When I plug into all of the outlets, I get two bright yellow lights and a dim red light. When I plug into a good outlet in the house, I only get the two yellow lights. I've tried to use a VOM on the outlets but not sure how to interpret the results. When I test the two main outlet slots, I get the correct 122 volts. When I try the voltage between one of the main slots and the ground slot, I often can't get a measurement.
I'm wondering it there is a problem with the wiring or is it not unusual to have the dim glow in the red light of the tester along with two bright yellow lights in what is essentially an ungrounded vehicle.
Any other explanation for the frequent need for GFCI resets?
whitegs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2017, 12:06 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Al and Missy's Avatar
 
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,673
There should be a label on your tester to tell you what the combinations of lights mean.

On the outlet, the large flat blade socket is neutral, the small flat blade is hot, and the round pin is safety ground. The neutral is supposed to be connected to ground at the main power panel (in your house or the campground, not in the trailer). The partially lit red led may be telling you that there is a problem with the ground wiring in your trailer.

Testing with a VOM, you should read 120 volts between hot and neutral and hot and ground and 0 volts between neutral and ground. Disconnected from shore power you should see an infinite (high) resistance between neutral and ground.

Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
Al and Missy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New outlets / GFCI protection question bredlo Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 9 12-18-2015 10:10 AM
Gen. GFCI tripping Cochese Generators & Solar Power 1 08-13-2008 05:54 PM
gfci help quiksilver Lights - Interior & Exterior 2 06-07-2007 08:50 PM
Gfci achip Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 4 07-22-2006 11:52 AM
Gfci jcf48 Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 0 07-21-2006 11:00 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.