GFI Circuit Plug

[pjack01]

I have a 2011 Infinity 5th Wheel and the dealer tells me I have a bad GFI plug (master) they have ordered one, but it has been over a week and still not received. Why couldn't I use one from Home Depot? Is there something special about the RV GFI Circuit?

[Dtank]

Executive wrote:
There are several reasons why a dealer wouldn't want to use one from Home Depot...

1. It's cheaper and you wouldn't feel you're getting your money's worth.
2. It's readily available and you wouldn't have to wait a week or more for your rig.
3. Since it's such an easy fix you would want to do it yourself.

By puffing up the repair it makes it easier to charge you the big bucks without you making a fuss.

Tell the dealer, you'll live with it, pay him for his diagnostic time, (one hour tops) and replace it yourself. Easy fix, 15 minutes maybe. Just make sure the power is off at the receptacle before proceeding. Notice I called it a RECEPTACLE...a PLUG is what you "plug into" a receptacle....Dennis

GFCI Receptacle

Hmmmmm.....IMO - the above is a plug for doing it yourself!..;)

Good advice - except *don't* offer to pay "diagnostic time"!..:R

.

[Dayle1]

aruba5er wrote:
And whatever you do, observe line and load markings on the outlet. I've seen too many do it yourownself'ers get the wires mixed up and the new ones won't work if wired improperly.
And of course there are plenty of you out there that should not do ANY electrical work.

It isn't just DYIers that get it wrong. CR wired my GFI backwards. I installed the new residential GFI exactly as CR had the original wired and it wouldn't power up. Turns out the reset button will not work on the residential GFI if the unit is wired backwards, but the original GFI would. Guess the original unit had a mechanical only reset button vs mechanical/electrical. I used a voltmeter to verify which lead was power and which went to the downstream outlets. Reversed the wiring and finally everything works as it should.

Another word of caution, when my GFI failed, it almost started a fire. It didn't fail electrically, instead, the push-in connection developed too much contact resistance, overheated and melted the plastic housing. Then because these units are mounted with an extension box, the hot plastic/metal was very close to the plywood wall board and blackened it. At least the GFI did eventually trip and prevent a fire.

[aruba5er]

And whatever you do, observe line and load markings on the outlet. I've seen too many do it yourownself'ers get the wires mixed up and the new ones won't work if wired improperly.
And of course there are plenty of you out there that should not do ANY electrical work.

[jffnkrn]

pjack01, just remember to follow destructions on the package or have an electrician help you out if needed. Turn off the power, get a tester and make sure your downstream receptacles are still protected if any. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[Hondavalk]

momentum rv wrote:

ScottG wrote:

momentum rv wrote:
Some are different in that they are a sealed self contained unit for RVs. If you pull the plug out of the wall and it is in an electrical box you are good to go for a Household replacement. If it isn't in an electrical box I would be very cautious about installing one that is not sealed w/o a box.

I've never seen one of that style in a GFCI. They've all been standard GFCI's.
Do you by chance have a link to one of these?

Sorry I don't but I could swear I had one in a couple of trailers ago. I thought when I pulled it out it was sealed on the back and it surprised me. I guess if there is no such thing then there will be a box in the wall and no worries.

Guess there only available in a non GFI
http://www.carid.com/diamond/ivory-self-contained-receptacle-mpn-wdr15iv.html?gclid=CKun5dPv5sUCFVcU...

[pjack01]

Thank for the reply's and advice, I am going to pick up my RV and replace the GFCI "receptacle" today.

[momentum_rv]

ScottG wrote:

momentum rv wrote:
Some are different in that they are a sealed self contained unit for RVs. If you pull the plug out of the wall and it is in an electrical box you are good to go for a Household replacement. If it isn't in an electrical box I would be very cautious about installing one that is not sealed w/o a box.

I've never seen one of that style in a GFCI. They've all been standard GFCI's.
Do you by chance have a link to one of these?

Sorry I don't but I could swear I had one in a couple of trailers ago. I thought when I pulled it out it was sealed on the back and it surprised me. I guess if there is no such thing then there will be a box in the wall and no worries.

[jffnkrn]

The biggest difference I have seen in any receptacle in my previous RV's have been the type that the wire slides into a slot in the back, kind of like the old Christmas lights or yard lighting. The GFCI Receptacle should be standard as any household type. The box may be different, shallow ones are used in some applications where wall thickness is an issue. Be careful and if you are to replace it yourself, make sure you follow the guidelines on the packaging and understand the load side of the receptacle. Good Luck and Be Safe ! ! !

[Dayle1]

When I had one fail, I used a standard residential GFI. Actually, the replacement looked more substantial than the original RV unit. And when you are camped for weeks and 40 miles from the nearest RV dealer, waiting makes zero sense for a 15 min. task.

[ScottG]

momentum rv wrote:
Some are different in that they are a sealed self contained unit for RVs. If you pull the plug out of the wall and it is in an electrical box you are good to go for a Household replacement. If it isn't in an electrical box I would be very cautious about installing one that is not sealed w/o a box.

I've never seen one of that style in a GFCI. They've all been standard GFCI's.
Do you by chance have a link to one of these?

[Executive45]

There are several reasons why a dealer wouldn't want to use one from Home Depot...

1. It's cheaper and you wouldn't feel you're getting your money's worth.
2. It's readily available and you wouldn't have to wait a week or more for your rig.
3. Since it's such an easy fix you would want to do it yourself.

By puffing up the repair it makes it easier to charge you the big bucks without you making a fuss.

Tell the dealer, you'll live with it, pay him for his diagnostic time, (one hour tops) and replace it yourself. Easy fix, 15 minutes maybe. Just make sure the power is off at the receptacle before proceeding. Notice I called it a RECEPTACLE...a PLUG is what you "plug into" a receptacle....Dennis

GFCI Receptacle

[Hondavalk]

X3

[Roger10378]

X2

[momentum_rv]

Some are different in that they are a sealed self contained unit for RVs. If you pull the plug out of the wall and it is in an electrical box you are good to go for a Household replacement. If it isn't in an electrical box I would be very cautious about installing one that is not sealed w/o a box.