Community Forums

gatorcruz · 07-21-2009, 11:45 AM

Looking for any help on this... the outlet at the vanity keeps tripping. There are 6 additional outlets down stream. Nothing is plugged into any of them. I have replaced the outlet and still getting the same results.

What could be causing this... I don't know of any load down stream... not on the other outlets which is all I can ID on the circuit.

Thanks.

JC

wa8yxm · 07-21-2009, 05:23 PM

There are two common issues that cause this (ok 3)
1: The outside outlet on your rig is most likely down line from this outlet, often the gasket fails and the box fills with water, this tripps the GFCI.

Two: Loose wire, I have read here in the forums of cases where a wire comes loose and shorts out against another. Same result

3: Faulty GFCI.. Hey, it happens, they do fail.

gatorcruz · 07-21-2009, 05:28 PM

you are amazing... if only you had seen my post earlier. this forum is the best.

I finally determined that the outside outlet was causing the problem. it has been raining too so that made things worse. For now I have just removed that line from the GFCI outlet because we are on the road...

thanks.

PapPappy · 07-21-2009, 06:18 PM

Glad that you found the problem....yes, these forums are great for these kind of things.

Now, if the GFI was tripping a lot, it may also be wearing out, and be less than reliable in the future. I'm not saying that this is the problem, or that you will have problems, but if you do still have it trip once things have dried out, and you plug in a hair dryer....suspect the GFI outlet.

Remember, these RVs are built with the cheapest of components....especially the ones that are somewhat hidden (outlets), so with a 13 year old rig, it could very well be worn out....and simple enough to change out too.

Good Luck, and Happy Camping

CrossCountryNomad · 07-22-2009, 08:12 PM

I noticed you have found your problem. Just a little extra info here. I had a similar problem and was sure it was the outside outlet. I disconnected the outside outlet and still had the problem of the GFI tripping in just a few seconds.

Then it was time to get out the wiring diagrams. I found out the the refrigerator was the last thing on the GFI circuit. So I decided to disconnect that outlet. When I got the outlet removed I found that a spider had built its egg nest between the hot and neutral contacts in the rear of the outlet.

I cleaned the webbing out and the GFI quit tripping. That was three years ago and the GFI is still working fine.

nbounder · 07-23-2009, 09:40 PM

I might suggest either : A) install a new gasket when re-assembling the outside outlet, and/orB) after closing up the box, take some good caulk (not the $.99 stuff) and run a bead up one side, over the top, & down the other. Do not seal the bottom - let it breathe so any condensate can dissipate. Stay away from silicone.

wa8yxm · 07-24-2009, 08:05 AM

Thought I posted a reply to the "I FOUND IT" message

Thank you.. Though I have not, personally, had the "Wet exterior outlet" problem.. My parents had it, and I've read of it from others here.

It is kind of common.