GFI at storage lot

two sailors · 08-04-2009, 12:38 PM

I posted this question on the SYS & TECH. forum but since it applies to the
Alpine I'll ask. Why would my 36', 05 cause a GFI to open when I plug in where the coach is stored? It is a 20 amp outlet. The owner of the lot says he has the same problem with his 50 amp. coach. I had the same problem at my house so I got rid of the GFI and used a standard 20 amp outlet.

Brad

AFChap · 08-04-2009, 01:34 PM

It's not an Alpine thing -- I believe it happens because you also have GFCI outlets inside the coach. When that has happened to me when plugging into a 15 or 20a outlet, I have been able to re-set the shore GFCI AFTER plugging in, and then things work fine.

Algoma · 08-05-2009, 08:34 AM

I always thought it was the inverter/charger that caused this problem. I just rewired my home outlet to provide a 30A socket so no more problems like that for me!

wa8yxm · 08-05-2009, 09:40 AM

No the GFCI's inside the coach have nothing to do with the problem

There are 3 common problems with motor homes that trip GFCI breakers

SOME converters seem to play nasty with GFCI's. If you have one your only storage option is a 3rd party smart charger (or a Small Progressive Dynamics 9200 series) hooked in parallel and plug it in all by it's lonesome. (I really like PD 9200's by the way)

Many inverters have neutral and ground bonded.. NOW.. Some of the better ones such as My Prosine 2.0, will "Break" the bond when on shore power... Some won't.

Any bonding of netutral and ground post-GFCI trip the Click of Darkness.

Finally... In many cases there is a partial short in the water heater or fridge or some other system that basically goes un noticed by human hands....

But is enough to trip the GFCI