Community Forums

FloraBama · 01-23-2005, 01:03 PM

For the past few months I have had the MH plugged into an outside GFCI plug (15 AMP)during storage. The only electrical draw has been the refrig and battery charge.

This weekend the GFCI plug has been tripping; I changed to a different outside plug and got the same thing. It has NO problem on a non-GFCI plug.

Question: The only thing I could attribute this to would be the cold weather this weekend is putting an extra drain on the batteries. Can cold weather cause this more of a battery drain?

Soon I'll be installing a 30 AMP plug.

FloraBama · 01-23-2005, 01:03 PM

For the past few months I have had the MH plugged into an outside GFCI plug (15 AMP)during storage. The only electrical draw has been the refrig and battery charge.

This weekend the GFCI plug has been tripping; I changed to a different outside plug and got the same thing. It has NO problem on a non-GFCI plug.

Question: The only thing I could attribute this to would be the cold weather this weekend is putting an extra drain on the batteries. Can cold weather cause this more of a battery drain?

Soon I'll be installing a 30 AMP plug.

Canuck · 01-23-2005, 01:33 PM

Cold weather can have an effect on the battery. Your on-board charger is probably working to overcome that effect and when it kicks in it is causing the GFCI to trip.
Canuck

Kirk · 01-23-2005, 03:35 PM

Your GFCI does not trip based upon the load through it, but based upon the leakage in the circuit. It monitors the current out through the hot side and the return through the neutral leg. It also monitors the ground. If there is a mismatch between the legs, it will open. RVs are well known for problems with GFCI circuits from the source for shore power. That is because the RV has a chassis ground and not an earth ground. It is probably related to what is operating, but not to over loading.

01-23-2005, 04:17 PM

It you have any moisture inside the box the GFCI is in, it will trip the breaker. I had this problem with some really expensive clear plastic flip open covers over the receipts. They weren't sealer very good and would trip every time it rained.

I suggest a quick look inside the box to see if it's dry.

Tomcat F15

Dsouthw524 · 01-24-2005, 02:52 AM

You may just have a bad GFCI. My electrician says he has seen so many bad GFCIs that he marks which supplier they came fro, so he can return them and they just give him a new one. I would try the replacement game before getting too woried.

Toby · 01-24-2005, 05:03 AM

FloraBama
I also plug into a GFI with 15 amps to keep the bats charged and a small heater pluged in to keep it from freezing. Mine trips when I step on the wire or any movemengt of the wire (plug) that causes a small serge in the electrical connection. Also when it rains, it will trip. I know I need to change the plug, because the plug holes are probably worn out and its not a tight connection.
I would keep the GFI if its on the ground or you are standing on the ground when fiddling with the wire for safety sake. s/Toby

FloraBama · 01-24-2005, 02:55 PM

I have replaced the GFCI and it still trips. I have do more research today and found ......Kirk to be exactly right. It monitors the return voltage for dips.

I'm thinking it is probably the 15-30 Amp adaptor.

I appreciate all of the responses and I'll rest easier now.

P.S. Anyone want to buy a couple of Brand NEW GFCI plugs??

Kirk · 01-27-2005, 06:59 PM

FloraBama,

Have you checked the outside outlet on the side of the motorhome? I had that same problem when the cover over mine cracked. That allowed moisture into the outlet. It only takes a few miliamps to cause it to trip. You could easily check that by lifting the leads from the outside outlet. Do this with the power off, then reset the GFCI to see if it now works. If it does, you will then know where the problem is located. Another place that could have that same problem is the outlet in the refrigerator compartment to supply 120V for it. It too can get moisture into it.

RV Wizard · 01-28-2005, 01:57 AM

I have seen a couple unit have the moisture in the air condense on a cold outside surface and the wet insulation would cause a GFCI circut to trip. All outside receptacles and in Kitchens and baths have these circuits to help prevent electrical shock or even death. You may have to look in several places to find the problem(s).

FloraBama · 01-28-2005, 05:24 PM

After a few days I tried the GFCI again and it worked!! The weather was warmer and probably dryer too so it must have been a few drops of water somewhere.

This has really been a learning experience to me and I appreciate everyone's comments.

CAD-Man · 01-30-2005, 06:33 AM

FloraBama
The next time this happens and it will. Go to the motorhome and unplug both the refrigerator and the converter then try to apply power again. If it does not trip, plug in the converter and check again. If it does not trip then plug in the refrigerator and check again. If it trips it's the refrigerator. On most RV's the receptacle for the refrigerator is in the back of the refrigerator and exposed to moisture through the back vent on the side of the RV. I have had this problem after washing my old trailer and moisture had worked its way into the receptacle.

FloraBama · 01-30-2005, 03:56 PM

CAD-MAN I'll give your suggestion a try. Thanks.

01-31-2005, 08:57 PM

.....one of the tricks we use in the construction business is to coat the outside of the switch box with silicone caulk and caulk around the repceptical after it is screwed in and caulk around the trim plate....keeps the moisture out....geof kaye