We've had our camper for a little over a year and in that time only used the generator a couple of times to run the microwave when camped without electric hookup. Those times I didn't notice any problems with any other circuits.Yesterday we were in a primitive campsite and needed to recharge our e-books and a laptop so I crank up the factory built-in Onan 2.5 that came with our unit probably for an hour or so to do the recharge. Both GFI outlets popped. One is in the kitchen with nothing plugged in and the other is in the basement storage area with the converter plugged in. With this one popped there is no way to charge the house batteries with the generator.This is our first experience using a generator so haven't a clue whether this is normal or not. Also found out that the Onan 2.5 drinks lots of LP.

Longest I have ran mine is for 30 minutes, usually to top up the batteries in the morning, but I have not had it pop my gfi's. I would put a voltmeter on that generator to see if you have an issue with power surges or it could be a grounding issue.

I would start with turning off all breakers at the 120 power panel. Run the generator, then turn on breakers one at a time.If the converter blows the GFCI, unplug the converter. Remember that the GFCI in the kitchen may also protect all outlets further past the actual plug point.Use some extension cords from shore power with a GFCI protected circuit to see what happens when you plug the converter in there.Isolate the problem first. Maybe the leads on your power panel might have a loose connection. All hots, neutrals, and grounds have to be tight.

Bad ground could be causing your problem. Start by checking for loose connections.

Here's one theory of why they can trip with a gen. Linkaroonie

generator popping gfi outlets | Good Sam Community

jimh406
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2018
I've never had it happen.
mellow
Explorer
Mar 21, 2018
Longest I have ran mine is for 30 minutes, usually to top up the batteries in the morning, but I have not had it pop my gfi's. I would put a voltmeter on that generator to see if you have an issue with power surges or it could be a grounding issue.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Mar 21, 2018
I would start with turning off all breakers at the 120 power panel. Run the generator, then turn on breakers one at a time.

If the converter blows the GFCI, unplug the converter. Remember that the GFCI in the kitchen may also protect all outlets further past the actual plug point.

Use some extension cords from shore power with a GFCI protected circuit to see what happens when you plug the converter in there.

Isolate the problem first. Maybe the leads on your power panel might have a loose connection. All hots, neutrals, and grounds have to be tight.
donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2018
Bad ground could be causing your problem. Start by checking for loose connections.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 21, 2018
Here's one theory of why they can trip with a gen. Linkaroonie
naturist
Nomad
Mar 21, 2018
I was a volunteer host once in a campground where we on staff all had walkie talkies we had to keep on at all times just in case of emergency. I noticed that every time I was inside the trailer and the receive channel on my walkie talkie picked up a signal, or I pressed transmit, the GFCI would kick out. When we packed up to leave, I found out why: the ground on the camp pedestal was bad and had burned my plug. It was necessary to replace the plug on my end, as well as the receptical on the pedestal. So, yeah, I suspect you have a bad ground somewhere.
lawrosa
Explorer
Mar 21, 2018
Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...
jimh406
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2018
ScottG wrote:
Here's one theory of why they can trip with a gen. Linkaroonie

If I understand OP, I think the generator is fine. The outlets that the generator is powering are what is tripping.
Fred_n_Jo
Explorer
Mar 21, 2018
Thanks all, we are heading toward home tomorrow and tonight have shore power so all is fine. Will have it checked out there before another trip.
Fred_n_Jo
Explorer
Mar 21, 2018
Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...

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