Gfci inverter outlets March 12, 2025, 05:45:45 pm My ‘98 has an issue with the 12V outlets. Neither are working. One says GFCI circuit. So if the circuit is tripped how do I reset it when the outlets don’t have the usual reset button? The inverter is hidden in the cabinet above the generator. There is a small access panel on the side and a switch for the inverter. I’m not sure if it matters but when I toggle the switch I do hear the sound inverters make when you turn them on, so I assume it’s working.
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #1 – March 12, 2025, 11:34:24 pm Hi Hugh; I have the other floorplan from you, the T/K 24' in a '99 Ford. The Gfci breaker is only for 110volt AC circuits and has nothing to do with 12 volt branch circuits. If the GFCI is tripped, handle on the 110 V midway between on and off, you will lose power to all of your AC outlets. Your converter will still work, along with the microwave and air conditioner. Your fuse panel takes converter output or battery output to feed the 12v fuses. Branch 12v. circuits run the refrigerator logic, water pump, water heater, space heater and lighting. All 12v. Items. On the other topic about power for the dash radio, it is connected on the house side of the diode isolator under the hood and does not use power from the engine chassis battery. RonB
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #2 – March 13, 2025, 03:05:50 am My GFCI is in a small electrical box on the back wall under the sink. I put a guard over the TEST button to stop shifting pots stored there from bumping it.
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #3 – March 13, 2025, 01:04:31 pm Hi Keith, that GFCI sounds like something added later. I'm pretty sure your 2013 didn't leave the factory with that. The central protected location in the power center should be the only gfci.. If someone added branch circuits, its good tthat they added a GFCI, but outlets I've added in homes have a 'hard' to access trip button. RonB
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #4 – March 13, 2025, 03:14:14 pm That’s why I was confused. The outlet in question is marked both inverter and GFCI. Makes no sense. At any rate, I have two outlets marked inverter and they both used to work when I wasn’t connected to shore power or generator. Now they don’t. That’s why I thought maybe the Gfci circuit was tripped, but I’ve never heard of a Gfci circuit on an inverter. I’d really like to get those outlets working again.
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #5 – March 13, 2025, 07:05:44 pm Hi Hugh; If the 110vAC outlets aren't supplying power from the inverter, then likely the inverter doesn't have 12v DC supplied. Those would be large diameter wires. The ground (chassis) is probably ok. The 'hot' lead shpuld have a resettable circuit breaker, or a fuse to protect the wiring. That might be a GFCI on the outlet, but doesn't need to be. They still function as a circuit breaker though, so resetting is a good thing to do. RonB
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #6 – March 13, 2025, 08:06:02 pm Hugh, you said 12V outlets. Did you mean 120V outlets? The inverter in question was probably added by a previous owner. Check if there is a gfci button on the inverter itself.Steve
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #7 – March 14, 2025, 08:56:40 am Thanks, I’ll try to get to the inverter wiring and look for a fuse or other reset on the inverter. It won’t be easy though because it’s hidden inside a cabinet. Can’t figure out exactly how to take it apart. I think first I’ll remove the outlet which is on the same cabinet. Maybe there will be something within reach like a reset button.
Re: Gfci inverter outlets Reply #8 – March 14, 2025, 08:24:50 pm Hi Hugh, your picture makes this clearer. The outlet is powered by the inverter, and the inverter is substituting for a gfci. (built into the output circuitry).There may be a reset button on the inverter. My inverter has fuses to protect each outlet, and may have a built in gfci. I have to pull out a drawer to see my inverter, it may have a reset button. RonB Edit: checked my inverter, and no visible external resets.
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Topic: Gfci inverter outlets (Read 436 times)
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