Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

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Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

September 24, 2017, 09:40:08 am

Last night here in New Mexico we had a thunderstorm with lots of wind and rain blow through for a couple hours.
Sometime during that the GFCI breaker for the 120v outlets tripped and won't reset.
I'm thinking that the wind blew some water into either the outside covered receptacles by the door or into the refrigerator compartment and into the unused receptacle. The refrig. is working only on gas now.
Once the sun is up a bit more I'll check things out.
Any other suggestions? or am I overlooking something?
Everything else in the coach seems to be working, microwave, heater, etc.

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #1 – September 24, 2017, 10:29:58 am

You have outside covered receptacles? Something you added? If power is from shorepower, check power at the post for problems too.

Steve

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #2 – September 24, 2017, 10:35:52 am

Yes the outside covered receptacles are full of water from the blowing rain. These are by the entry door and appear to be added by the factory since the paint is the same.
I have the covers propped open for the water to dry out. I didn't want to mess up the paint so didn't remove the cover plate. I'll use a hair dryer with an extension cord to the power pole to help dry them out. Then replace the gaskets when I get home in a few days.

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #3 – September 24, 2017, 11:30:12 am

Well I had to remove the cover plate by carefully cutting the factory paint with a knife. Let the water flow out then used a hair dryer to dry out the receptacle. Reset the breaker and everything is fine. Have the cover plate gasket drying out in the sun. I'll replace the gaskets later.
Thankfully that was the only problem, no leaks anywhere else. All compartments were dry. Sunny now and no hail last night!

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #4 – September 24, 2017, 01:02:43 pm

FWIW, I have a similar issue on my 2003MB. The outside outlet gets water in it and trips the breaker. The water has corroded some of the connections making the outlet below the TV intermittent as it's the next outlet downstream.

For now I have part of a zip-loc bag taped over the outlet cover to prevent water intrusion. The real fix (for me) is going to be to remove the cover plate (including cutting the factory paint), replace the outlet portion, reseal the cover plate, and replace the gaskets in the flip down covers.

My first sign was intermittent strange behavior at the outlet below the TV (the one opposite the shower in the bathroom). My second sign was the outlet breaker tripping during rain storms. If someone has either of these symptoms, suspect water intrusion in the exterior outlet (the one near the water heater) on a MB.

Rich
'03 MB in NC

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #5 – September 24, 2017, 02:23:45 pm

"I'm thinking that the wind blew some water into either the outside covered receptacles by the door or into the refrigerator compartment and into the unused receptacle."

folivier

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Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #6 – September 24, 2017, 07:04:57 pm

Hmm. My outside outlets have been in much nasty weather for the past 9 years, and have stayed dry. Hopefully you will be able to check all gaskets for any damage, so they will seal when you get them dry.

Ken F in NM

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #7 – September 25, 2017, 12:35:00 am

I ran into the same thing with my 2003 midbath a few years ago: the outside outlet got wet and the GFCI kept tripping. I removed the outlet, blew it out with canned air, then let it dry. Then I reinstalled it, bedding it with butyl tape.

First time I did this, I used too much butyl, and the outlet wouldn't seat properly. I had to pull it off and redo it, using a smaller amount. As with any sealant, more is not necessarily better! (OK, technically butyl isn't a sealant... but you get the point.)

Re: Bad rain storm, receptacles not working

Reply #8 – September 25, 2017, 06:18:24 pm

My suggestion is outlet gaskets. I'm putting these in later this week. Cost about $2.00 from Lowe's.

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