Please Help! Had to abandon the trailer and head home!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

I read this:
as the poster being told that it should be wired with reverse polarity.

That's how I read it and I think that's why the second electrician laughed.

[Testcat]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

So if this in fact the case, will any of the RV's electronics be damaged when connected to a non-GFCI-protected source (e.g., most campground pedestals)?

In my opinion, most likely not. GFCI came into being as a way to protect people from ground faults. A lengthy discussion on electrical theory could follow, but I won't get into that. Suffice it to say the the GFCI opens on a ground fault at a level (5ma) that will not cause significant harm to a person. A level above 5 ma could stop your heart if the fault current flowed through your body to ground for a significant (seconds) amount of time. GFCI's have little to do with equipment protection.

[Desertsquid]

If we plug our rv into a GCFI receptable socket at home ours trips after a bit but if we plug it into a non GCFI we're fine. They don't play well together. if the OP used 2 different cords with the same results it not the cord.

[Testcat]

Originally Posted by Desertsquid

If we plug our rv into a GCFI receptable socket at home ours trips after a bit but if we plug it into a non GCFI we're fine. They don't play well together. if the OP used 2 different cords with the same results it not the cord.

Correct, some GFCI's do not play well together, and two different cords does rule out the cord, but there could still be an issue in the RV. I have my Sunseeker 2500TS plugged in to a GFI circuit in my garage and it has never tripped the GFI. BUT, when I plug my pressure washer into that same circuit, the GFI on the pressure washer cord will trip after a while in use, yet will not trip if used on a non-GFI circuit....go figure!!

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Testcat

In my opinion, most likely not. GFCI came into being as a way to protect people from ground faults. A lengthy discussion on electrical theory could follow, but I won't get into that. Suffice it to say the the GFCI opens on a ground fault at a level (5ma) that will not cause significant harm to a person. A level above 5 ma could stop your heart if the fault current flowed through your body to ground for a significant (seconds) amount of time. GFCI's have little to do with equipment protection.

Current at this low level is just leakage and unless one actually comes in contact with it nothing happens until the "flaw" creates enough carbon (a conductor) for heat to be generated and the problem becomes obvious.

Plugging into a non-GFCI outlet won't eliminate the problem, just the annoying "trips".

Since the problem seems to have been isolated between the power inlet (cord alone plugged in doesn't trip GFCI ???) and the power panel, it might well be worth one's time to remove the power inlet and check for water and any signs of "carbon tracing" from terminal to terminal inside. I had an electric smoker that started tripping the GFCI when plugged into it and it didn't when I used an extension cord to a Non-GFCI oiutlet.

Discovered the problem was that when stored under it's cover I had left the cord end out and enough water infiltrated and caused enough leakage to trip the GFCI.

[pat5150]

Originally Posted by transmission_doctor

Your neutral and ground are connected together somewhere in the trailer. They are supposed to be isolated from each other. there will be no problem on an mom GFI outlet, but a GFI will detect this and trip. The problem may be in the main panel, there should be two seperate bus bars, one for the neutral and one for the grounds. The neutral bus bar MUST be isolated from the panel, often panels come with a green screw that goes thru the bus bar and screws into the panel which grounds the neutral bar to the panel. That will not work in your situation. Removing the screw if it is there should fix the problem

This makes perfect sense I will go out and inspect now. Pictures coming.

[mikes86gn]

Everyone needs to read post #23. My last 2 trailers and my current 5th wheel did not and do not like being plugged into a 20amp GFCI. That's going back to 1992. That's why campgrounds don't use 30amp and 50 amp GFCI's. This is the first time I have ever heard of a GFCI feeder breaker in a RV pedestal.

Mike
retired electrician

[pat5150]

Here is my panel. You can see there is no cross over between the Neutral and ground bar. The Green arrow is line coming in and yellow arrow is line going to the frame in the second picture.

[pat5150]

Originally Posted by mikes86gn

Everyone needs to read post #23. My last 2 trailers and my current 5th wheel did not and do not like being plugged into a 20amp GFCI. That's going back to 1992. That's why campgrounds don't use 30amp and 50 amp GFCI's. This is the first time I have ever heard of a GFCI feeder breaker in a RV pedestal.

Mike
retired electrician

That's what I thought!!! This is my 4th TT and I've never seen a GFCI breaker at a pedestal. I see people bring their GFCI or surge protector along with.

[pat5150]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

I would ask the campground manager to get their electrician to check out the pedestal or to get you a new site.

He said they are ALL GFCI!

[mikes86gn]

Originally Posted by pat5150

He said they are ALL GFCI!

Pat. I understand that they all are GFCI. They shouldn't be.

Mike
retired electrician

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by pat5150

That's what I thought!!! This is my 4th TT and I've never seen a GFCI breaker at a pedestal. I see people bring their GFCI or surge protector along with.

My understanding of code is that a GFCI is required if an electrical outlet is within a specified distance of a water outlet. Most parks have the water faucet within only a short distance. I have frequently seen GFCI breakers and outlets in RV parks. If my memory is still working it was mostly GFCI breakers rather than outlets but haven't paid much attention lately. Boondocking for me.

[pat5150]

A second neutral bar.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by pat5150

Here is my panel. You can see there is no cross over between the Neutral and ground bar. The Green arrow is line coming in and yellow arrow is line going to the frame in the second picture.

Pat, looking at the top pic there looked like an exposed copper wire? It’s burred in the back. Look between the white wires where there is a gap between the 3 wires running to terminal block. Probably nothing but looks odd.

Also, what is that green wire going to?

[dalford]

Maybe you should carry a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter. I bet the campground does not have a gfi on the 50 amp circuits...

https://www.amazon.com/Kohree-50-30-...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[hack522]

That's what I was thinking. Had this happen to me last year. Found the wires inside the molded plug were lose. Had it repaired and no issue. I've also encounter campgrounds that have a built in gfi below ground which is in direct conflict with the inverter/convertor. Caused my gfi to continuously trip. Bought an adapter plug with a ground and it worked fine.

Originally Posted by pat5150

Exactly... Every breaker, including the main was shut off...All the fuses pulled.
It's possible it could be the cord, I guess.

Yes, the GFI is tripping at the power pedestal.

[Scrapper]

Since your cord didn't trip the pedestal breaker, but with the cord connected to your rv with all the power distribution breakers turned off it tripped the pedestal breaker the problem lies in your rv's connection between the outside wall connection and the distribution panel since no power is getting through the rv's breakers. Look at the wires connected to the power center. There might be a mis-connection between the hot line and neutral, neutral and ground, or ground and hot line. Be forewarned, any of these can cause a hot skin condition.


Another note, once you turn off the converter breaker your battery and fuses have nothing to do with the 120VAC situation your having. Even with the converter breaker on the battery and fuses are only a load on the converter. Only if you have a an inverter does your battery produce 120vac.

[kcmusa]

He got it used, no telling what was done before.

[nayther]

I remember reading Mike Sokol article regarding GFCI breakers on pedestals and the problems they cause and new codes that contradicted what is correct or works right. Here's an article from last weekend:
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electric...-ignore-shock/


it describes hot skin condition. From there you should be able to get to his archives and I know he adressed this issue

[The2002Wanderer]

Isn't this one of the reasons to purchase an EMS system Plug for your RV? Wouldn't it detect the ground fault and warn the user?