Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

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Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

March 19, 2024, 07:22:19 pm

Hi all,

I’m trying to troubleshoot an electrical problem on our 2003 MB. It was in storage (covered) for the past several months - I've fired it up about every few weeks, including the generator. When we plugged in to our receptacle on the house (as we always do) to prepare for our trip, the GFCI breaker tripped and it won't reset. So at least the fridge won’t run on 120v - not sure what else as I didn't have time to check. The external outlets on the rv (including the fridge) are dry (no water intrusion). So when I pull it out of storage I’d like to have my checklist ready.

Based on the posts I’ve seen, I can :
- try plugging into a different outlet in the house
- test the outlets in the rv for voltage (not sure which are connected to GFCI circuit though)
- other?

At this point and in order of cost, my theories are:
the GFCI breaker needs replacing
the inverter needs replacing
other?

Since I’m thinking it would also be good to upgrade the tail lights to LED, I’m wondering if I should just find a good rv electrician in the Sacramento (CA) valley and let them figure it out. I'd like to know what the possibilities are so I'm prepared for what they may tell me.

Questions: what can I troubleshoot with my multi meter before calling for help?
If I need an electrician, are there any recommendations for an electrician from the group?

Thanks as always!
Ray

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #1 – March 20, 2024, 03:37:47 am

Hi Ray; With a multimeter you can identify the problem. You likely don't have a problem with an inverter, or with the converter either. Except for the roof air conditioner, and microwave, all of your A/C outlets outside and in are run out of the GFCI. Make sure you turn off the GFCI handle until it clicks, before you try to turn it on. The off click resets the internal spring. The handle won't switch on until it is reset properly. (This goes for all residential circuit breakers, GFCI or not). RonB

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #2 – March 20, 2024, 10:53:50 am

In case you need to replace your GFCI, here's the one for my 09. Probably the same.
jor

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #3 – March 20, 2024, 05:32:11 pm

Thanks Ron. Yes, I completely switched off the GFCI breaker and then back on to reset it. Then when I try to plug in to shore power, it trips. I repeated this process several times to no avail.

Thanks Jor, that's my other thought is maybe the breaker itself is in need of replacement. Sounds like something I could do myself. Do I need to disconnect house batteries or anything? (Obviously I'd be disconnected from shore power).

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #4 – March 20, 2024, 07:18:00 pm

Hi Ray; More diagnosis would help. Less money involved before buying parts. I would unplug anything and everything plugged in to 110V AC, except for the Microwave and A/Con. Things like battery chargers, toasters, the factory supplied inverter for the TV, the TV, sound systems, etc. One of those items may have developed an electrical leak to ground. One of these might be handy: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Gear-3-Wire-Receptacle-Tester-50542/206212329?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOorc01gUDpl4muqhi941Y4UPdvqSqPczL-vopRxj8qvqXgq233pnZwI RonB

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #5 – March 20, 2024, 09:02:36 pm

Quote from: East Bay Ray - March 20, 2024, 05:32:11 pm

Thanks Ron. Yes, I completely switched off the GFCI breaker and then back on to reset it. Then when I try to plug in to shore power, it trips. I repeated this process several times to no avail.

So the RV’s GFCI breaker successfully resets and only trips when you plug it into power from your house (shore).

What happended when you power up the generator? Can you use the appliances? Does the GFCI breaker trip then?

If not, maybe the power coming from your house is the culprit, something coming in the RV no longer likes.

Or still might be the breaker.

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #6 – March 21, 2024, 10:24:47 am

Quote

Do I need to disconnect house batteries or anything?

No. Just unplugged and no generator running. I was surprised when my GFCI went bad shortly after I bought this rig. You could just replace yours and if that's not the problem, you've got yourself an extra breaker!
jor

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #7 – March 21, 2024, 11:54:52 am

Make sure nothing else plugged into the rig running from your shorepower - such as a battery charger. Then check for correct wiring of the outlet you are connect shorepower to the rig. Most likely cause a switch of the neutral and ground connections.

Steve

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #8 – March 21, 2024, 06:52:22 pm

I think I would turn off all the breakers in the load center. Plug into your power source then turn your main breaker on, one at a time starting with the GFI turn the breakers on and see which circuit trips the GFI. You might pull the load center cover and check all the 120V lugs for tightness also. I'm betting on a small arc from something or a bad GFI.
It really takes nothing at all to trip a GFI the tiniest arc will do it.

Jon

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #9 – April 01, 2024, 03:20:31 pm

Thanks all for the suggestions. Here's where we're at today: the GFCI breaker trips whether plugged in to shore power or on the generator. Without any other appliances plugged in, today, I
- started the generator & tried resetting the GFCI breaker - it trips
- unplugged the fridge & tried resetting GFCI - it still trips

I also noticed that the microwave (on its own separate breaker) doesn't power on by going to "0" unless I switch on the overhead heater. Only then does the "0" appear and I can run the microwave - bizarre. The only outlet that has power is the one that the microwave is plugged into.

My first thought is to replace the GFCI breaker - it looks like the lowest hanging fruit and something I could do without calling an rv electrician. Does this make sense? Or would doing what JONS suggests (connecting to power then turning on breakers one at a time be useful at this point? Thanks in advance!

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #10 – April 01, 2024, 03:39:36 pm

Not sure what to make of the microwave behavior, but I have a suggestion on the GFCI if you haven't looked into it already.

The coach outlets (with the tripping GCFI breaker) might have an issue caused by corrosion on the back side of the exterior outlet (if you have one). At least a few of us have had issues with this outlet which caused electrical gremlins.

GFCI Circuit Breaker Problem - Any Ideas?

Rich

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #11 – April 01, 2024, 04:14:04 pm

Yes, the exterior outlet is a common cause of GFCI trips.

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #12 – April 01, 2024, 08:55:52 pm

The receptacle is clean and dry, all connections appear to be secure. I guess it's too late to add a few photos. If I could, I'd show where the backstabbing is - although there's a very slight wiggle with the black (load, right?), it won't pull out. Maybe there's an arc somewhere in here? I guess I can go ahead and swap out it out for a new one and then reseal. Thoughts are appreciated! Same @#$#@ thing as before with the microwave, I have to turn on the overhead heater to get power to it.

I hate calling an electrician ($$$) but I'm stumped.

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #13 – April 01, 2024, 11:48:24 pm

"I also noticed that the microwave (on its own separate breaker) doesn't power on by going to "0" unless I switch on the overhead heater. Only then does the "0" appear and I can run the microwave - bizarre. The only outlet that has power is the one that the microwave is plugged into."

Having the microwave power on by turning on the A/C fan or plugging something into an outlet is normal for my 2003 T/K when running the generator. It always happened with the original owner as well. I believe she kept something plugged into an outlet like a GFI tester so it would switch over. Lately on my monthly generator runs its seems easier to just reach up and switch on the fan for a second than to plug and unplug something into an outlet.

JohnF 2023 T/K

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #14 – April 02, 2024, 01:31:32 pm

Quote from: JohnF - April 01, 2024, 11:48:24 pm

Having the microwave power on by turning on the A/C fan or plugging something into an outlet is normal for my 2003 T/K when running the generator. It always happened with the original owner as well.
JohnF 2023 T/K

Wonder what could cause this?
My gut feeling is there is a loose connection somewhere that could be a fire hazard, this would keep me awake at night.
But that is just me.

Larry

Re: Electrical (GFCI breaker) issue

Reply #15 – April 02, 2024, 01:51:00 pm

Hi John F and Ray; Definitely something wrong on both of these. I wouldn't be able to 'rest easy' knowing that something is either 'shorted' mis-wired or otherwise not working as expected.
Modern GFCI's, when they trip repeatedly, there definitely is something wrong that you haven't found yet!

In a TK the refrigerator outlet box is facing forward in an outside compartment next to a slotted, vented door that can let water and saltwater in at 65 mph. What could go wrong! First thing I did at delivery was put duct tape over the unused half of the duplex socket, and a goo of butyl rubber blob around the refrigerator plug. Still water tight after all these years. RonB

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