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 > RV SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FORUMS > RV Systems & Appliances
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 09-01-2016, 10:05 PM   #1
Member
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: OR
Posts: 34
Weird GFI issue

I'm having a GFI issue and hoping someone can either confirm my suspicion or point me in the right direction.

I'm currently in a state park here in Oregon, All but 2 of the plugs in my trailer are connected to the GFI outlet in the bathroom. The AC is on, microwave works etc. But the GFI trips and will not reset while plugged into the pedestal. I originally thought the issue was something plugged into an outlet, after unplugging everything the problem persisted. I then went and unplugged the shore power and flipped on my inverter, and the GFI reset without issue. Plugging shore power back in results in the same tripping event.

Am I correct in my suspicion that the issue is in the campground pedestal? Any tips on whether it's something stupid I'm overlooking?


Thanks!!
RClifton 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 09-01-2016, 10:16 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
I believe you are correct in suspecting the campground pedestal. It probably is a neutral or ground miswired.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2016, 10:16 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
I believe you are correct in suspecting the campground pedestal. It probably is a neutral or ground wired incorrectly.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2016, 10:48 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
sdennislee's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,469
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley View Post
I believe you are correct in suspecting the campground pedestal. It probably is a neutral or ground miswired.
I agree, use a multi-meter to check the pedestal
__________________
US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
sdennislee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2016, 11:32 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Arch Hoagland's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,103
You need one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-R.../dp/B01AKX8L0M
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
Arch Hoagland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2016, 11:52 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Maricopa,AZ
Posts: 93
Sounds like you aren't using a good surge suppressor on your main from shore power. Recommendation is you get one ASAP so that you don't fry converter and/or other expensive items.
azmaddog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 05:00 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
gatorcq's Avatar
 
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Show Low Az
Posts: 1,321
"Sounds like you aren't using a good surge suppressor on your main from shore power. Recommendation is you get one ASAP so that you don't fry converter and/or other expensive items."

???? Ok, recommendation, however, you need to get one ASAP ? I have gone without a Surge for over 10 years. Using what Arch has recommended or just a meter. Even in mexico.
__________________
Dale&Susan, 08 Alfa Gold, DaGirlsRv Blog
2015 F-150XLT_2000W Solar_800 AmpHr Lithium
Magnum_MSH 3012 & PT100
gatorcq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 05:08 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland View Post
Actually he should really install one of THESE! Either a 30 or 50 amp unit.

If it is truly a neutral or ground fault this device would have identified the problem immediately.

Dr4Film ----- Richard
Dr4Film is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 05:38 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Back to the problem at hand, can you try another pedestal to see if the problem follows you.

If it happens at 2 different pedestals, I would look for an outside outlet on your rig, to see If water has damaged it. Another check would be unplugging the fridge.

If it's only at that pedestal, your at the mercy of the campgrounds maintance people to check it.

If you run out and get a surge guard thing and the problem is with the pedestal, you will still, just be sitting in the dark, waiting for campground maintance.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 05:48 AM   #10
Registered User
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
Or he can get the hell out of that campground and find another one that supplies good power for their customers to use!

Dr4Film ----- Richard
Dr4Film is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 06:03 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Or go home :( :( . Campgrounds are tough to find on weekends and it is labor day weekend.
twinboat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 06:18 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
cpaulsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 224
Just get a hold of a ranger........we do that all the time as hosts at Oregon State Parks....
cpaulsen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 07:13 AM   #13
Member
 
jason_sos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 97
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland View Post
Yup, I have one of those with a 30 amp adapter. I test the pedestals before I plug into them, even though I have the Progressive EMS as well. It's cheap insurance to make sure the pedestal is not screwed up.
__________________
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
jason_sos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 10:16 PM   #14
Member
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: OR
Posts: 34
Thought id post a follow up for anyone that might be interested. First I do plan to get something to go between us and the pedestal, just that the trailer is a recent purchase and the wife wanted to go now!

Anyway, I left my multimeter at home which means I was stuck on what I could do, so I went out with a flashlight and looked at the receptacle and noticed in the circular hole (ground) there was something in the hole, flipped the breaker off and started digging with a toothpick and pulled out what I believe was some kinda spider egg and several very thin pieces of wire. Think very fine copper stranded wire that had been separated into individual strands. Anyway pulling all of that out and then hooking back up the GFI reset fine after that.

Thanks for all the info, appreciate it!
RClifton 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
GFI issue Ramets Newmar Owner's Forum 1 06-09-2014 09:00 AM
1997 Unicoach GFI Outlet in Bathroom Ground Issue Wiring Quesiton BrandonATX83 Foretravel Owner's Forum 3 09-04-2012 03:35 PM
weird power issue PlayItForwrd MH-General Discussions & Problems 17 04-25-2010 04:02 AM
weird defroster issue ClarkBowen Alpine Coach Owner's Forum 9 01-22-2010 09:50 AM
Weird Rooftop AC Issue emmmw RV Systems & Appliances 2 04-18-2009 12:23 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:22 AM.


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