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Kacprowicz's avatar
Kacprowicz
Explorer
May 28, 2016

Washer/Dryer Combo and multiple plugs not working... HELP!

Just pulled into our campsite in Petersburg, Virginia this evening, got hooked up and come to find multiple plugs (one GFCI and several other standard plugs)have no power and the washer/dryer combo (120V) also has no power, though we do have power in maybe half the other outlets.

Checked the non-working GFCI plug outside and tried to reset it, but it won't reset. Then I checked the circuit breakers and none tripped and all seem to be fine, until I noticed that the GFCI circuit breaker has a light which is not on, seeming to indicate that it is not receiving power. From what I understand, this would seem to correlate with not being able to reset the GFCI outlet, as discussed earlier. Tried flipping and resetting each of the breakers 3 times each with no change. After talking it over with an electrically savvy relative, we came to the conclusion that the washer/dryer must be branched in with the other plugs that aren't working, and it probably has it's own circuit breaker outside of the existing breaker box (no room for it in the existing box)which got tripped, thus cutting power to the washer/dryer combo and the non-working outlets. Problem is, if this separate circuit outside of the main box exists, I have no idea where it is. I've searched low and high and cannot seem to find anything, but not exactly sure what I'm looking for either.

For those more knowledgeable than me when it comes to electrical issues, does this make sense? If so, any idea where to look for this circuit and what to look for? Any other ideas on how to track down this problem?

Your help is greatly appreciated!
  • Kacprowicz's avatar
    Kacprowicz
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    edatlanta wrote:
    If you have a 50amp rig you might have one leg of the 50amp isn't working. Have you checked the voltage on each leg at the power pedestal?


    You nailed it Ed, that's exactly what the problem was with a bad 50A breaker. They replaced it this morning and we're back in business, thanks!
  • Kacprowicz's avatar
    Kacprowicz
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    Wanted to update everyone and let them know that the problem has been fixed. edalanta deserves a big thanks for getting me thinking about the possibility of one leg not working which is what it turned out to be. I didn't know the signs of that occurring and the fact that half of the RV would appear to be powered normally (though it was spread all throughout the RV). I was surprised that my power conditioner wouldn't even come on and alert me to the problem, but as a test, I tried hooking the power conditioner to the neighboring site's power and it worked fine. So then I knew it was a problem in our pedestal. They came over this morning and figured out that it was a bad 50A breaker and simply replaced it and we're back in business. Thanks again everyone for your help!
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    You're going to need a meter and close inspection to get this fixed.
    Have you tried resetting the GFCI circuit breaker in the load center?

    If you have a decent EMS device, that should be able to test for adequate power from the pedestal.
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Have you had the campground check the pedestal that you are plugged into?
  • Kacprowicz's avatar
    Kacprowicz
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Here's the image links I tried to include...

    http://postimg.org/image/a3re5s7bv/
    http://postimg.org/image/w1nuzkmcb/

    ***Link Removed***http://postimg.org/image/a3re5s7bv/

    ***Link Removed***http://postimg.org/image/w1nuzkmcb/
  • Kacprowicz's avatar
    Kacprowicz
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    Thanks for the answers so far! In further checking, I realized the GFCI breaker in the breaker box is working and in fact the outlets that are working are on this breaker. So, clearly I believe I'm looking for some hidden breakers, like maybe on the inverter which someone mentioned.

    Here's some pictures of the breaker box and the power converter, not sure if I have an inverter...




    For more details on the rig and power, it is a 5th Wheel, 2014 Bay Hill 385BH (made by Evergreen) and we are connected to 50 amp power. Unfortunately, I do not have any power testing equipment. Regarding the GFCI that cannot be reset, I don't believe the plug-in tester would be helpful as it cannot be reset, so it is clearly not getting power.

    Have not found any other breakers yet, but I think there must be something, or maybe it is one of the 50 amp legs being down. One thing that makes me suspicious of that is when we were setting up, I hook up the power through my power conditioner, but it appeared to be completely dead not getting any power, so we ended up connecting directly and got power, but obviously not for the aforementioned outlets and the washer/dryer. Would it make sense though that everything else seems to be run fine, i.e. AC, frig, levelers, slides, etc?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    It helps to give some information about your RV like the make, model, year. Also the type of 120V system you have, as in this case. Does the load center have a name? How many breakers are in it?

    First things to check--Shore cord function, load center wiring (are all wires tight into the neutral lug bar and on the breakers?), ground continuity to frame. If you have a non-functioning GFCI receptacle, pull it and check for power at the terminals. If you have power there, the GFCI has failed or there is a bad device tripping it in that circuit.

    Do you have a hand-held meter?
  • gatorcq's avatar
    gatorcq
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    The key "Checked the non-working GFCI plug outside and tried to reset it, but it won't reset. "
    W/D WILL NOT have a hidden circuit breaker.
    What are you on 30 or 50 A.
    Do you have something like this " http://www.amazon.com/Power-Gear-50542-3-Wire-Receptacle/dp/B002LZTKIA "
    any hardware store carries them.
    GFIC bad
  • edatlanta's avatar
    edatlanta
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    If you have a 50amp rig you might have one leg of the 50amp isn't working. Have you checked the voltage on each leg at the power pedestal?
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    do you have an inverter? if you do, then you may have tripped the one of the breakers on the inverter. That will turn off about half of the coach power. On our magnum inverter the breakers on the side of the inverter itself. You should also post the type of rig that you have to get better answers.

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