My camper has a 15 amp GFCI circuit that starts in the bathroom and has 4 other outlets downstream on the load side. While out camping recently I had issues with the GFCI refusing to reset when the camper was plugged into the post and we were on shore power. I would hit the reset button and it would just trip again. I bought a new GFCI outlet and same problem. I thought it was a problem with one of the downstream outlets. I figure when I'm home I'll start isolating the outlets one by one to find the culprit. At home, and with the help of an adapter on the cord, I plug into an isolated 15 amp circuit (don't have a 30 amp circuit) off my house panel. And this point I think, just for the heck of it, try to reset the outlet, and lo and behold it resets. I am not doing anymore investigation into other outlets for now. The only thing I can think is that the voltage at the campground was low. Would that cause a GFCI not to reset? Is one of those Progressive EMS surge protectors the answer? How hard a wiring job is the onboard style?

Voltage would have to be extremely low, down around 90 volts by memory.Testing would start at the GFCI, disconnect load wires, see if it resets. Yes, means down stream issue. No something wrong in feed to GFCI, loose connection in 120 volt AC distribution panel or shore power connection.I am guessing loose connection!

Also possible the campground power had some issue. Too late to go back and test. I would do no repair at this point. Consider an EMS surge protector for future adventures.

Could be a bad GFCI, I just had to replace ours. It would not reset.

I would suspect you got some moisture somewhere, probably in an exterior outlet. That was causing the GFCI to trip. Now that it has dried out from heat, wind, whatever the problem is gone. Does your exterior outlet have a proper cover? Is the cover caulked well where it meets the side of the RV?

GFCIs trip because there is a grounding fault downstream of the GFCI. I suspect that something was plugged in to one of those downstream outlets while you were camping but removed while you were traveling back home. It is not a problem with the input powed. You may call me and we can talk about it over the phone. I have helped a number of people that way. I am a retired electrical engineer and A Professional troubleshooter.

GFCI Issue looking for a solution | Good Sam Community

DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
agesilaus wrote:
Could be a bad GFCI, I just had to replace ours. It would not reset.

He said he replaced it but had the same result and it doesn't trip when plugged in at home. Very doubtful a bad GFCI.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2020
Most common cause if "Insta-trip" is the patio outlet
howver unplug everything first (sometimes it's not the patio)
if that does not work then remove the cover from the patio outlet and stand back a bit as you might get wet. If you do. dry it out. you may need to replace the outlet and re-seal the cover.

Another cause can be insects but this is not as common. especially with the inst=box type outlets used in RV.s

Now if there was a power issue. it would not insta-trip it simply would not reset (The sound and feel is a touch different)
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
GFCI will trip if:

1) there is a current imbalance between the hot and neutral load wires
2) There is a ground/neutral short.

A pretty common reason for a GFCI to trip in a trailer is moisture in the outside outlet on the GFCI circuit. Remove the moisture problem gone. Another possibility is the fridge electric element IF it is on the GFCI. Some are, and a failure mode can start as some low level leakage current to ground. To test, turn the fridge off or to gas, GFI ok, turn to electric and watch and see if it trips.
Flute_Man
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
GFCIs trip because there is a grounding fault downstream of the GFCI. I suspect that something was plugged in to one of those downstream outlets while you were camping but removed while you were traveling back home.
It is not a problem with the input powed.
You may call me and we can talk about it over the phone. I have helped a number of people that way. I am a retired electrical engineer and A Professional troubleshooter.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
I would suspect you got some moisture somewhere, probably in an exterior outlet. That was causing the GFCI to trip. Now that it has dried out from heat, wind, whatever the problem is gone. Does your exterior outlet have a proper cover? Is the cover caulked well where it meets the side of the RV?
agesilaus
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2020
Could be a bad GFCI, I just had to replace ours. It would not reset.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 19, 2020
Also possible the campground power had some issue. Too late to go back and test. I would do no repair at this point. Consider an EMS surge protector for future adventures.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 19, 2020
Voltage would have to be extremely low, down around 90 volts by memory.
Testing would start at the GFCI, disconnect load wires, see if it resets. Yes, means down stream issue. No something wrong in feed to GFCI, loose connection in 120 volt AC distribution panel or shore power connection.
I am guessing loose connection!

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