Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Alpine Coach Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-26-2020, 11:25 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 243
Storing my coach

I am storing my coach for a few months and found a place that is covered with 20amp service. The issue is that when I plug my unit into the 20amp service, the GFI breaker trips. I don't have anything on other than the inverter and when I check the amps being used though the monitor its says 1.5 amps. Wonder if the inverter draws to much power for the 20 amp breaker?

Any thoughts on the best way to store the beast? Do I keep the fridge on via the inverter, etc.
__________________
Ernie and Jonna Ortiz
Conroe, TX
2006 Alpine Coach Apex 40FD
Ernieo is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 08-26-2020, 11:50 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Its not the amp draw that trips GFCIs.

It current that's leaking to ground.

There are just to many reasons to list what to look for. Start switching things off and unplugged things, to try and locate the issue.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 12:16 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Jeep401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 556
What happens when you plug it in somewhere else?
Mine is always plugged in on a 20 amp with the fridge, dehumidifier and inverter on no problem.
__________________
Angelo & Leslie
2005 Alpine 36FDDS #75268
MARYSVILLE, WA.
Jeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 12:30 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Unplanned Tourist's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
Twinboat is right, your rig doesn't play well with GFI's.

Time to get your trusty VOM out and start testing all your circuits.

Google "Why a GFI trips", and you may find your answer.

Happy Glamping.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
Unplanned Tourist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 02:45 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep401 View Post
What happens when you plug it in somewhere else?
Mine is always plugged in on a 20 amp with the fridge, dehumidifier and inverter on no problem.
Is it a GFCI protected outlet ?
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 03:41 PM   #6
Member
 
grantmnc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernieo View Post
I am storing my coach for a few months and found a place that is covered with 20amp service. The issue is that when I plug my unit into the 20amp service, the GFI breaker trips. I don't have anything on other than the inverter and when I check the amps being used though the monitor its says 1.5 amps. Wonder if the inverter draws to much power for the 20 amp breaker?

Any thoughts on the best way to store the beast? Do I keep the fridge on via the inverter, etc.

I assume you are not the only camper plugged into that 20 amp circuit? We've started flipping a lot of of our circuit breakers off inside the RV so we don't draw more current than we need. As other's have said, it's not what's causing the GFI to trip, but just another thing to consider if you are plugged in with others at a storage facility. I've learned where our circuit breaker box is and have worn a path to it.
__________________
2017 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40E
2010 Honda Fit toad
grantmnc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 04:23 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,026
Be sure your power share setting is below 20A. I usually select 5A even with a 50A service. It just keep the batteries charged and the refrigerator is empty.

Before we had the barn and 50A plug, we kept it plugged in to a 15A GFI outlet without issues. We ran the refrigerator before trips. The outlet was on a circuit that was protected by a 15A GFI breaker at the main panel, rather than an outlet with GFI protection or one downstream of one.
RVPioneer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 06:15 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Jeep401's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 556
Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat View Post
Is it a GFCI protected outlet ?
No I don't believe so.
I think the GFI is down stream from the power going to the coach....
__________________
Angelo & Leslie
2005 Alpine 36FDDS #75268
MARYSVILLE, WA.
Jeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 06:20 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep401 View Post
No I don't believe so.
Big difference. GFCI outlets trip from current leakage to ground, the type that kill you, so they are very sensitive.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 07:54 PM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,026
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep401 View Post
No I don't believe so.
I think the GFI is down stream from the power going to the coach....
I’m not a licensed electrician and I don’t play one on TV.

I did learn the following while staying at a Holiday Inn.

A GFI outlet needs to be the first outlet on a circuit. It will provide GFI protection to all downstream outlets on the same circuit. Or, a GFI circuit breaker will provide GFI protection to all ordinary outlets on that circuit.
RVPioneer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 07:59 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Sco70ttie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Warrenton, Va.
Posts: 284
Ernie,

Two GFCI in series do not play well with each other. You can press the test button on the bathroom GFC then the source GFCI breaker should no longer trip.

Scott
__________________
Scott Shaffer
1998 Alpine 36 SDS
Warrenton, Va.
Sco70ttie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 09:13 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 243
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sco70ttie View Post
Ernie,

Two GFCI in series do not play well with each other. You can press the test button on the bathroom GFC then the source GFCI breaker should no longer trip.

Scott
Ok, thanks for the input. I will try that.
__________________
Ernie and Jonna Ortiz
Conroe, TX
2006 Alpine Coach Apex 40FD
Ernieo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 09:15 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 243
Quote:
Originally Posted by RVPioneer View Post
Be sure your power share setting is below 20A. I usually select 5A even with a 50A service. It just keep the batteries charged and the refrigerator is empty.

Before we had the barn and 50A plug, we kept it plugged in to a 15A GFI outlet without issues. We ran the refrigerator before trips. The outlet was on a circuit that was protected by a 15A GFI breaker at the main panel, rather than an outlet with GFI protection or one downstream of one.
Where would I find said power share setting?
__________________
Ernie and Jonna Ortiz
Conroe, TX
2006 Alpine Coach Apex 40FD
Ernieo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2020, 09:18 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 243
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeep401 View Post
What happens when you plug it in somewhere else?
Mine is always plugged in on a 20 amp with the fridge, dehumidifier and inverter on no problem.
I have not tried it elsewhere. But it did work on 30 amp service with no issues. Also, I did plug in the 20 to 50 amp reducer into my surge protector and no issues. But when I plug into the surge protector, pop goes the gfi.
__________________
Ernie and Jonna Ortiz
Conroe, TX
2006 Alpine Coach Apex 40FD
Ernieo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Storing your coach. cbelize Class A Motorhome Discussions 2 09-18-2016 10:51 PM
What do you leave in coach when storing it? HavingABlast MH-General Discussions & Problems 17 11-01-2015 02:14 PM
Storing coach with levelers extended?? beaverdan RV Systems & Appliances 6 05-06-2014 04:26 PM
first time storing coach flukey81 iRV2.com General Discussion 1 07-25-2011 12:58 PM
Storing your coach mikron Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum 9 10-13-2010 04:58 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.