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Usnthedog's avatar
Usnthedog
Explorer
Jul 19, 2021

Coverter/ GFCI problems

Brand new Grand Design Reflection 5er (50A). Just home from the lot. Plugged into my shore power (20A) and tripped the GFCI. Changed cord and different GFCI. Still tripped it. Moved to a non GFCI circuit and ran the Refrig to get ready for a weekend trip. Everything worked. Home from the weekend with no problems and started chasing problem. Checked resistance between ground and hots at the RV and 'open'. Used original set up; 50' 12ga cord, 20a-30a and a 30a to 50a adapter, no load. OK. Plugged into rv and tripped the GFCI. Threw the converter breaker and no trip. Dual fuel refrig ran. On demand water heater so nothing there. Ran 30 minutes or more. Turned on the converter breaker and in less than 3 minutes tripped the GFCI. Sounds like a bad converter. Does anyone have a different idea? I have no information on the converter (don't even kn0w where it is).

Thanks,
Jeff.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 19, 2021
    Well not all RV's play nice with GFCI outlets..
    Some the converter seems to be the issue if the batteries are "Hungry"
    Some if the batteries are "Full"
    Some it seems not to matter
    Some it's not the converter.
    There is a whole list of "Suspects"
    Start by turning off all breakers in RV
    Plug the RV into a GFCI outlet and plug a drop cord (Trouble lamp) into the other half of that GFCI protected outlet

    Now put the lamp where you can see it inside the RV
    Turn on the main, Lamp still on good
    Turn a branch circuit, and another and another till the light goes out.
    NOTE THAt one . turn off, reset GFCI and continue till all breakers are either ON or NOTED.. now you have a suspect list (What that breaker powers)

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