Community Forums

syjl · 01-11-2022, 01:13 PM

Hello,
Battling a GFIC tripping problem when on the ME2012 inverter. It will just pop with nothing running that I am aware of. Samsung RF197 residential frig with icemaker off and have checked the defroster heater resistance and it is at the recommended 10-150 ohms. The frig will not pop a GFIC at home when plugged in directly and will not trip the coach frig breaker when plugged into the 110 outlet. It is just a problem on the inverter outlet. I have opened the outlet and all is well.

The GFIC is a Levitron. I, at one point, saw a short list of the GFIC's that are recommended in a thread here somewhere but now I can't find it. Replacing the Levitron seems like a good place to start.

Any help is appreciated. We are trying to boondock in Quartzite next week.
jeff

RDGreenlief · 01-11-2022, 02:47 PM

We recently had lightning strike our RV shed and it took out one of the square D gfi circuit breakers. It was doing the same thing you described. I was told that if one of this ciruit breakers was tripped by a lightning strike then it should be replaced. We have two so I replaced both. Be prepared for some sticker shock, because they are about $100 a piece. Lowes didn't have the correct one and I had to go to a electric shop.

I don't know exactly how to test them, but it seems that putting them in another working circuit breaker box and finding out if it still trips might be a good place to start. Hope this helps.

Dennis

syjl · 01-11-2022, 03:37 PM

My understanding is that you can't just use any GFIC in the 2007 ish Monaco's due to the old inverters tending to trip the GFIC's. The current one works fine but seems to be tripping even with no load. I will keep searching for the short list. Thank you

RamiDav · 01-11-2022, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDGreenlief

We recently had lightning strike our RV shed and it took out one of the square D gfi circuit breakers. It was doing the same thing you described. I was told that if one of this ciruit breakers was tripped by a lightning strike then it should be replaced. We have two so I replaced both. Be prepared for some sticker shock, because they are about $100 a piece. Lowes didn't have the correct one and I had to go to a electric shop.

I don't know exactly how to test them, but it seems that putting them in another working circuit breaker box and finding out if it still trips might be a good place to start. Hope this helps.

Dennis

Any chance you have a number for the square D gfi breaker?

I have one that trips when on the inverter but I can't find a number on it. I bought one at Lowes that looks the same but it trips too.

Thanks in advance

Ray & Marilyn
03 Windsor

BransonM · 01-11-2022, 04:32 PM

I think I understand what you’re saying it works on regular power but only trips when it’s on the inverter. I didn’t look up the type of inverter but it’s probably modified sign I don’t think GFIs work well on those

I’m not sure why the refrigerator would want or need to be on a GFI asking for nuisance tripping in my opinion maybe you could just run a new circuit or swap it to a different one

Residential construction building codes are required arc faults for all refrigerators and GFI‘s if they’re close enough to the sink it really is asking for trouble but that’s the new codes

Smhutto · 01-11-2022, 05:24 PM

Here is what the tech at Magnum Energy recommended to me:

Hubbell Wiring GFRST15W AUTOGUARD Commercial Standard GFCI Receptacle, White, NEMA 5-15R, 125 Volts, 15 AMPS

You can find them at at electrical supply house that carries Hubbell, or you can get them on Amazon or eBay.

RDGreenlief · 01-11-2022, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamiDav

Any chance you have a number for the square D gfi breaker?

I have one that trips when on the inverter but I can't find a number on it. I bought one at Lowes that looks the same but it trips too.

Thanks in advance

Ray & Marilyn
03 Windsor

Ray;
I left the old one on the kitchen counter in the MH. Will get the number and post it tomorrow. I replaced what was originally there (a square D) with an identical square D.
Dennis

Tbrownski · 01-11-2022, 09:34 PM

I had to change mine for the same issue. I used the hubbell and haven’t had to reset it once in the last 3 months full timing. Purchased on ebay

syjl · 01-13-2022, 11:30 AM

Thank you Hubbell it is.
I will rip out the Leviton

I would be interested in the Square D model for my documentation. I assume that is the original from Monaco?

RDGreenlief · 01-15-2022, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamiDav

Any chance you have a number for the square D gfi breaker?

I have one that trips when on the inverter but I can't find a number on it. I bought one at Lowes that looks the same but it trips too.

Thanks in advance

Ray & Marilyn
03 Windsor

Ray;
Sorry I've been so long in getting these pics to you.
Dennis

RamiDav · 01-15-2022, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDGreenlief

Ray;
Sorry I've been so long in getting these pics to you.
Dennis

No problem Dennis. Thank you for going to the trouble

Ray & Marilyn
03 Windsor

syjl · 01-16-2022, 11:08 AM

Hmmmm. I ordered a 15 amp Hubbell GFI. Is the original in the coach a 20 amp? I was going to install it today but I will wait for an answer in case I need to return it. Thank you for your help.
Jeff

jacwjames · 01-17-2022, 09:14 AM

Do you have a wiring diagram, for my coach all the circuit breakers in the inverter subpanel that feed the circuits are 20 amp. I have 2 GFCI circuit breakers in the subpanel, one for front kitchen and one for rear bath. My refrigerator/icemaker is not a GFCI.

Not sure on RV codes but in house construction the refrigerator circuit is not required to have a GFCI breaker.

syjl · 01-17-2022, 10:55 AM

Thank you to Bob for this picture of his 2007 Knight which shows a 15 amp GFI in the bathroom. I think am going to move forward with installing this 15amp Hubbell and see what happens.