Forum Discussion

bmupton's avatar
bmupton
Explorer
Feb 07, 2014

GFCI Circuits

So my outside receptacle, my main fridge and my little bar fridge in the outside kitchen are all on a GFCI circuit protected by the GFCI in the bathroom. This means that DW can't blow dry her hair reliably, because if either of the fridges are running they consume just enough amperage that her hair dryer puts the circuit over the top and pops the breaker.

I think the Norcold fridge uses about 2.5A and the little bar fridge uses about the same (I don't have a spec sheet for either) which really only leaves 7 or so Amps (It's a 12A breaker) for her hair dryer.

So I have three options:

1.) Get a low amperage or DC hair dryer (Any suggestions?) I do have a DC plug just outside the bathroom that could be used for a DC model hair dryer I think
2.) Figure out a way to run my fridges on an extension cord run back to the pedestal instead or running off the main shore power through the trailer plugs.
3.) Re-wire the two outside plugs to a separate breaker somehow (likely not really an option)

What would you do?
Seeking Advice
  • bmupton's avatar
    bmupton
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2014
    Free Range Human wrote:
    Um...I'd plug my hair dryer into a different outlet.


    Haha, good point. :-)

    I forgot to mention that among other issues, I can't find a receptacle in this trailer other than the one in the main slide under the kitchen table that is on the second circuit.

    I have to trace the stuff out to see what is running off what breaker.
  • sclark's avatar
    sclark
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2014
    It is easy to find out what is on each breaker. Just turn the breakers off one at a time to determine what controls what. Good luck.
  • bmupton's avatar
    bmupton
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2014
    sclark wrote:
    It is easy to find out what is on each breaker. Just turn the breakers off one at a time to determine what controls what. Good luck.


    I know, I've just been lazy. Plus it's in storage and a pain to get to.

    This is one of the first things I need to do when it comes out of storage and we set up for the season.

    I'm still at a loss as to why they put 90% of the outlets on one breaker and the rest on the other though. I sometimes think RV manufacturers aren't playing with a full deck when it comes to some of their design choices.
  • georgelesley's avatar
    georgelesley
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2014
    Just turn the refrig off while she is using the hair dryer. A few minutes off won't hurt a thing.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2014
    georgelesley wrote:
    Just turn the refrig off while she is using the hair dryer. A few minutes off won't hurt a thing.

    This is my suggestion too.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Feb 07, 2014
    Hi,

    They did it because it is cheaper.

    Here is another solution, if you happen to have a large inverter. Add an inverter powered outlet in the bathroom (and another in the kitchen). I use mine a lot, as I run the rv almost 100% on electric power.

    I did find an 800 watt hair drier. The 12 volt hair driers simply don't work very well.

    bmupton wrote:
    I'm still at a loss as to why they put 90% of the outlets on one breaker and the rest on the other though. I sometimes think RV manufacturers aren't playing with a full deck when it comes to some of their design choices.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2014
    I have never seen a 12A breaker so I assume its a 15A. Even still a 1500W hairdryer at 120v uses 12.5A so with the 2.5 from the main fridge is enough to put it at the limit. Sweetie could also use the hairdryer on "low" setting so it doesn't draw as much juice. Instead of turning the fridge off, just set it to "gas" so it doesn't draw any electric. Once hair drying is completed you can set it back to "auto".
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2014
    I always run a separate 120VAC extension cord into my trailer from the camp ground 20AMP Service receptacle.

    This is for my 120VAC Oil Filled heater, vacuum unit, hair dryer, or any other high current unit being used . These units doesn't bother any of my 120VAc units on the camp ground 30AMP Service receptacle...

    On my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer I am thinking about installing an outside flip lid receptacle wired to a more permanent couple of 120VAC receptacle inside the trailer so that I can connect to the camp ground 20AMP Service more conveniently.

    Roy Ken
  • bmupton's avatar
    bmupton
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2014
    BurbMan wrote:
    I have never seen a 12A breaker so I assume its a 15A. Even still a 1500W hairdryer at 120v uses 12.5A so with the 2.5 from the main fridge is enough to put it at the limit. Sweetie could also use the hairdryer on "low" setting so it doesn't draw as much juice. Instead of turning the fridge off, just set it to "gas" so it doesn't draw any electric. Once hair drying is completed you can set it back to "auto".


    Looking back through my emails with my dealer it does look like they are a 15A breaker. I could have sworn they were 12A because I remember thinking it was very odd...

    Guess not.

    Either way, it's still a problem that I've got to figure out. I'll set about determining which outlets are on which breakers in the spring and try and rig something up so she can use the hairdryer without the frustration.

    If there's an outlet nearby that's on the other breaker, perhaps a heavy duty extension cord would work.

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