GFCI outlet

[garycarson]

2014 Flagstaff 832IKbs
Had a power surge and now the gfi in kitchen/entryway won't reset. Has power coming into it
But 3 outlets don't work.
I'm thinking of replacing the outlet but not sure if it needs to come from rv parts or can it be purchased at Lowes/Home Depot. It has a little red light on it and says 3 pole.
Any thought are appreciated.
Gary

[TURBS]

Lowes home cheapo units are preferred.
Rv units are cheap crap

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[Herk7769]

There are circuits in the GFCI that determine if it should be allowed to pass power to the outlets and all downstream outlets. These can be damaged.

However, before you replace it, press the reset button (sometimes in red; other times in outlet color and not easily seen). If it snaps in you are good to go).

There is also a test button that should be checked/pressed monthly.
It should pop the GFCI reset button; just press it back in after the test.

Oh, I have also seen plugs that are oddly shaped that can press on the test button and cause the outlet to malfunction (not work).

[Slympicins]

Did you check your main breaker? When was running my two electric heaters the main would pop when something else kicked in. Seems they ran every GFI on the same breaker.

[garycarson]

Replaced the GFCI and all the other outlets now work.
Fried the coffee pot, fan, blender. TV was smoking but seems to work. Will keep an eye on it for a few days along with everything else. Could have been a lot worse.

Thank you everyone.
Gary

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by garycarson

Replaced the GFCI and all the other outlets now work.
Fried the coffee pot, fan, blender. TV was smoking but seems to work. Will keep an eye on it for a few days along with everything else. Could have been a lot worse.

Thank you everyone.
Gary

Do you have a surge suppressor?
Im not sure how a gfci can fry anything?
Maybe someone with more knowledge can explain.

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Do you have a surge suppressor?
Im not sure how a gfci can fry anything?
Maybe someone with more knowledge can explain.

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

Sounds like GFCI was only one of six items fried at the same time. Lightning strike or power supply briefly out of control, gen set or Power Co.?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by VinceU

Sounds like GFCI was only one of six items fried at the same time. Lightning strike or power supply briefly out of control, gen set or Power Co.?

Thats what I'm thinking.



TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[jimh]

before u go buy another gfci, pull the old one and see how much space u have to work with. my trailer is 2002 and the reg outlets have their own cover on them so that they don't have to be installed in a box. a gfci may be the same for a trailer. i would take the existing gfci with me and compare it to the new one. u may not have enough depth in the "wall" to install another type (assuming they are different).

they usually run other outlets from the gfci. i have at least two other that are strung off the gfci. my gfci is in the kitchen and it controls the outlet in the bathroom and i believe one other.
mark the wires u disconnect from the gfci and what terminals they are attached to on the gfci. one will come from ur breaker box and the other will go to the other outlets.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by jimh

before u go buy another gfci, pull the old one and see how much space u have to work with. my trailer is 2002 and the reg outlets have their own cover on them so that they don't have to be installed in a box. a gfci may be the same for a trailer. i would take the existing gfci with me and compare it to the new one. u may not have enough depth in the "wall" to install another type (assuming they are different).

they usually run other outlets from the gfci. i have at least two other that are strung off the gfci. my gfci is in the kitchen and it controls the outlet in the bathroom and i believe one other.
mark the wires u disconnect from the gfci and what terminals they are attached to on the gfci. one will come from ur breaker box and the other will go to the other outlets.

Jim,

Post 5 he changed the outlet, like you I wondered if the outlet was deep enough, I guess it was!

[jimh]

yeah, i read thru them too fast and missed that. sorry.

[Slympicins]

Sounds like a power surge that just happened to take out a GFI at the same time. Yes it could have been worse.


Got one to prevent that from happening.

[garycarson]

Wife just said she very quickly ran out of hot water. Water Heater is on elect.
Could it have been partially fried?
Also now wondering about the fridge. It's set to automatic. If the element is fried and not working, would it switch to propane?

[VinceU]

Any possibility 220VAC was connected in error? Reefer heater and water heater elements are calrod or similar heavy duty stuff can withstand surge levels approaching lightning strike. Reefer may have been damaged in 12V controls? Yes gas should start on auto

[jimh]

make sure the breaker is not tripped. try shutting the water heater off then turning it back on (at the breaker in ur breaker box). there should be a reset that can be pushed on the water heater. usually covered with rubber. should be marked.
the fridge I would do the same. it should have automatically switched to propane.
ur control boards should have survived sense they run off the battery. would take quiet a surge to make it thru the converter and not be absorbed by the battery.
the water heater would not automatically switch over but u should have a switch inside somewhere that u can turn the gas on.

[jimh]

garycarson. on the hw heater... has it worked properly sense it was dewinterized? a bypass left open can do that.

[SparkeyBob]

GFCI outlets will save your life! They are made to kick off at the slightest power going to ground or the neutral. By electrical code they must be used near water; sinks, pools, pumps...rule of thumb is if you can touch a water outlet and a electrical outlet it must be a GFCI. When you buy one...read the enclosed instructions as its very important to connect it properly.

[Joe_GA]

Since you said: "Fried the coffee pot, fan, blender. TV was smoking but seems to work," this smells suspiciously like a neutral problem. If your RV or the place you are getting power from has a bad connection in the neutral circuit, the voltage can jump from 120 to 240 and will fry any 120 volt items that are on the line. That's why you want one of these: EMS-HW50C

If you are still plugged into the same location, I would do some serious investigation before anything else is fried. If at an RV campground, ask maintenance to check the receptacle and connections. You should also disconnect from the power source and check all of your connections. These RVs experience a lot of vibration as they travel down the road and connections can and will loosen over time.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Joe_GA

These RVs experience a lot of vibration as they travel down the road and connections can and will loosen over time.

This is a great point. Normally, these issues are seen at campground's 50 amp service pedestal where the white neutral wire loses continuity, but it can just as easily be caused by the same issues at the incoming neutral's connection on your 50 amp converter's neutral buss bar.

[SparkeyBob]

A GFCI will save your life. Most of the time the "primary" GFCI will be in the bath room. If you push the test button other receptacles down the line will also go off....they should. One GFCI receptacle will support 3-4 others. NOTICE do not use other GFCI receptacles after the primary receptacle, if you do they will not function properly. READ the instructions that come with the GFCI or look on Youtube.