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KrankyKoot · 07-23-2018, 08:26 AM

After much discussion with the installer and a week long trip where all worked I am still not finding the problem. When 30 power is applied either shore or generator a GFCI tester in the coach shows all working. When installer plugged into his 20 amp shop GFCI it worked. So it is pointing to my house GFCIs (multiples because everything in the house has either an in-line or breaker GFCI combo in the box).

Looks like I might have to break down and put a 30 amp plug in my garage. Haven't done it yet cause i only use it to load up or fix something (way too often).

Old Scout · 07-23-2018, 08:33 AM

….or just rewire one circuit in garage as non-GFI...usually means a simple wire swap in the breaker box.....

KrankyKoot · 07-24-2018, 06:49 AM

Yeah might do that anyway. GFCI in garage (15a) is always popping. Only a year old and probably half dead. What do builders think by putting a 15a circuit in the garage where you know there is going to all kinds of loads?

Busskipper · 07-24-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

….or just rewire one circuit in garage as non-GFI...usually means a simple wire swap in the breaker box.....

Not legal but is the only solution.

worob · 07-24-2018, 11:37 AM

I have same issue with Monaco Cayman. My son is Electrical Engineer and state inspector and I am Journeyman electrition. We tracked down the issue is a short on ground and common. Mine is in a wall and is probably a screw that eventually wore through the insulation. My GFI's in coach work fine so as work around I use plug adapter without ground prong. You might try one to see if it cures your problem.

RandallIndia · 07-25-2018, 07:14 AM

Hi this is Randall the electrician again. I just wanted to offer a thought. One time I was talking to an outboard repair guy and asked him if a certain jackleg thing would work. He said if I were in the Amazon and I were desperate, sure that sounds great but we live in the city and you got a little extra money so why are you proposing such a jackleg solution just buy the part and install it.

He shamed me a little bit but that really stuck with me. I think that when a person buys a 20 to $100,000 RV and spend hundreds of dollars on fuel just riding around to see the country and then they get home and they can't spend $100 to create a decent power source for the RV they're kind of acting like they're in the Amazon and desperate. Getting rid of the GFI in your garage isn't a matter of legal or not legal. Every article in the entire electrical code book represents one death. Each rule was created because at least one person died. People sometimes remove the GFI protection in garage is because they don't want the Deep Freeze to go wacky. In this case there's an RV issue. Gfi's pop because there's a problem. The reason there is a GFI in the garage is because many people wash their cars just outside of the garage. They are Barefoot with a garden hose and they have a vacuum cleaner all in the same area. You're barefoot in water and the vacuum cleaner cord fails while laying in a puddle of water and they die.

KrankyKoot · 07-26-2018, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallIndia

Hi this is Randall the electrician again. I just wanted to offer a thought. One time I was talking to an outboard repair guy and asked him if a certain jackleg thing would work. He said if I were in the Amazon and I were desperate, sure that sounds great but we live in the city and you got a little extra money so why are you proposing such a jackleg solution just buy the part and install it.

He shamed me a little bit but that really stuck with me. I think that when a person buys a 20 to $100,000 RV and spend hundreds of dollars on fuel just riding around to see the country and then they get home and they can't spend $100 to create a decent power source for the RV they're kind of acting like they're in the Amazon and desperate. Getting rid of the GFI in your garage isn't a matter of legal or not legal. Every article in the entire electrical code book represents one death. Each rule was created because at least one person died. People sometimes remove the GFI protection in garage is because they don't want the Deep Freeze to go wacky. In this case there's an RV issue. Gfi's pop because there's a problem. The reason there is a GFI in the garage is because many people wash their cars just outside of the garage. They are Barefoot with a garden hose and they have a vacuum cleaner all in the same area. You're barefoot in water and the vacuum cleaner cord fails while laying in a puddle of water and they die.

Randal you are absolutely correct - a bit philosophical but correct. I plan to install 30 amp service but sometimes codes are written without thought to practicality. Why put 15a service in a garage instead of 20a? There are inline GFCI outlets in all wet areas of my house but why put combo GFCI breakers in my box for the rest of the house? To a layman it sounds like overkill. Sorry for the rant.

worob · 07-26-2018, 08:41 AM

Twinboat is right on as to steps to find the problem. You can also change out you garage GFI to a 20 amp. If I remember correctly, you said a 20 amp GFI didn't kick. You might also consider a 50 amp outlet that you can plug into with an adapter. Who knows, you might upgrade your motor home to a newer model. If you have to run a new circuit, might as well step it up.