Need serious electrical advice PLEASE!

[azjmd]

I recently bought a 2007 Carson Carrera Lite trailer and am having an electrical problem. The problem goes like this...When plugging the trailer in to my house outlet it immediatly blows the GFI in my garage. When running off the generator everything works as it should. There is not a switch anywhere so I am assuming the converter automatically switches the power over. I have had two long time electicians look at it and they also are at a loss. When the 30amp cord is plugged in to generator everything is great. As soon as I plug cord in to house using adapter it blows GFI. I am very capable of working on the trailer my self so I am trying to avoid taking it to a service place. Please Help! Thanks, Jason

[okmunky]

The electrician I hired wanted to hook my moho up to 220 volts. Most know NOTHING about RV electric. Here is a link that might help you.

RV Electric

[Rjhuser]

RV's and GFCI's don't mix well -sort of like gasoline and fire. Connect your RV to a non-GFCI receptical.

[azjmd]

Thanks for the link...LOL..my father in law is an electrician and he read it also. We both understand how it works but we just cant seem to trace where the issue is.

[azjmd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjhuser RV's and GFCI's don't mix well -sort of like gasoline and fire. Connect your RV to a non-GFCI receptical.

I plugged it in to the normal outlet in the house (non GFI). Jeez I feel stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the advice. Always the simple things.

[azjmd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjhuser RV's and GFCI's don't mix well -sort of like gasoline and fire. Connect your RV to a non-GFCI receptical.

Can you explain the reason that it does not work with GFI but yet it does with a regular outlet? I would just like to know so I can understand why I am so stupid!! Thanks again, Jason

[Rjhuser]

There are several answers to that question.

GFCI's work by comparing the current in the hot wire to the current in the neutral wire. If there is an imbalance, in the order of a few milliamps, the GFCI will trip. The GFCI assumes the imbalance is caused by current leakage to another path, such as to the ground connector or to through a body to ground.

In a RV, A common source of this leakage current is the 12 volt convertor, especially the "newer" (post 1980-1990 era) switching type power supplies. These type convertors commonly have input RFI suppression to keep high frequency energy off the incoming power wiring. These filters typically leak several milliamps to ground as there normal function. This leakage current can be high enough to trip a GFCI on the shore power.

Also, using more than one GFCI's in series can cause nuisance trips. The normal operation of the sensing circuitry in the GFCI can cause an apparent current leakage in an upstream GFCI. This can occur in a sticks and bricks house as well as in a RV.

[azjmd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjhuser There are several answers to that question. GFCI's work by comparing the current in the hot wire to the current in the neutral wire. If there is an imbalance, in the order of a few milliamps, the GFCI will trip. The GFCI assumes the imbalance is caused by current leakage to another path, such as to the ground connector or to through a body to ground. In a RV, A common source of this leakage current is the 12 volt convertor, especially the "newer" (post 1980-1990 era) switching type power supplies. These type convertors commonly have input RFI suppression to keep high frequency energy off the incoming power wiring. These filters typically leak several milliamps to ground as there normal function. This leakage current can be high enough to trip a GFCI on the shore power. Also, using more than one GFCI's in series can cause nuisance trips. The normal operation of the sensing circuitry in the GFCI can cause an apparent current leakage in an upstream GFCI. This can occur in a sticks and bricks house as well as in a RV.

WOW! Super explanation. I learned something new today. Thank you again!