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Tahoe540 · 06-18-2021, 04:34 PM

2014 Weekend Warrior with a 5500 Onan generator.
Went to start it to get ready for a camping trip and it turned over fine. When it started to run it just died and there was no power anywhere in the trailer. After some troubleshooting I figured out the main GFCI outlet was tripping. I couldn't reset it and finally figured out I had to plug in shore power to reset the GFCI outlet for some reason. Everything works fine on Shore power. As soon as you hit the start button all the power shuts off because the GFCI trips.
I have been using this trailer with no issues. Been 2 weeks since our last trip with no changes or fixes being done. It is not showing any fault codes
Thanks for any help

Jkwilson1989 · 06-19-2021, 03:52 AM

A GFCI tripping shouldn’t cause the generator to shut down or shut down all power. Not all power in an RV goes through a GFCI, and when a GFCI trips it just opens the circuit which wouldn’t cause the generator problems.

My guess is you have an ATS problem, but we’d need more info about your rig.

GFCI outlets won’t reset without power, so that behavior is normal.

Tahoe540 · 06-19-2021, 06:07 AM

Thanks for the GFCI explanation. I am not proficient in either RV or home electrical.

I don't think I have an ATS. I have to manually move the plug to shore power.

What other info do you need about my trailer? Any ideas on what I could troubleshoot next?

autobob · 06-19-2021, 08:18 AM

J. K. is right about the gfci it should not control all the power to the trailer. If you have to plug in the your shore cord to a plug in your trailer you do not have a ats if you don't have to plug it in to the trailer you have a ats. Either way you are going to check the wiring from the genset to the trailer eg; connection boxes. Need to know if you have an ats or not it tells you which way to troubleshoot. Go to a hardware store and buy a 3pin 110 volt checker that has lights on plug it into your 110 volt plugs might help with diagnosis they usually about 10 to 20 dollars.

Johndale · 06-19-2021, 01:20 PM

Throw the two breakers on the generator to the off position and try to start it. If it runs throw on each breaker one at a time to see what line is at fault. If you have the old plug in type with no ats you can see what leg is at fault. My question is your system a 30 amp or 50 amp system. I have the 5500 on my RV and it’s a 30 amp system and the second leg powered the back AC. If you have the old plug in type remove the outlet cover to make sure you have no shots in it. It’s a very simple system

Tahoe540 · 06-29-2021, 07:58 AM

I found out my problem was the batteries were not charging. They were dry and would not hold a charge. I have solar so I have not had any of these battery issues until I failed to maintain them.
I also changed out the GFCI and everything is working great now.

Persistent · 06-29-2021, 08:57 AM

Glad to know you solved your problem.

GFI means "Ground Fault Interrupter". It trips when hot leg and neutral current are unbalanced. It means there is a ground fault. Ground faults can indicate a personal hazard when touching a metal object.

Circuit breakers trip when hot leg current is higher that rated load. It means there is an over current fault. Over current can cause smoke and flames.

Some circuit breakers have a built in GFI. Either GFI or circuit breaker can trip. Which has tripped matters for troubleshooting.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

RRR · 06-29-2021, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoe540

I found out my problem was the batteries were not charging. They were dry and would not hold a charge. I have solar so I have not had any of these battery issues until I failed to maintain them.
I also changed out the GFCI and everything is working great now.

Ouch. Dry batteries for sure shorten their life. Get a battery watering system. Flow-Rite is on on Amazon or some local auto parts stores. Simple to use. I water mine every 45-60 days depending on use.