Forum Discussion

Land_Yachters's avatar
Land_Yachters
Explorer
Nov 01, 2020

GFCI outlet is popping when I plug in coach

So, picked up our Tiffin 33aa from dealer for some various service issues. Went home and plugged in to same outlet I have been plugging into for a year outside. A 15 amp, exterior GFCI outlet that I just use for charging the batteries. I typically turn charger off when I plug in because I figure it’s a good idea to limit variables. I typically hear a “pop” at the surge box and then turn on charger and hook up trick L start for chassis battery. Today, as soon as I plug coach in, the outlet GFCI from the house pops. (the outlet I plug into outside). I checked power at outlet, extension cord, charger setting etc. and plugged in again. POP, the GFCI pops every time I plug coach in. Turn off batteries, check outlet with hair dryer and nothing I do can keep the outlet from popping. Start generator…all good. See GFCI in coach in bathroom popped. OK, I reset it thinking somehow that had something to do with issue. Shut generator off and plug in again. GFCI pops again that I am plugged into. (Also, GFCI in coach pops.) OK, I turn main 50 amp breaker in box OFF, thinking I could turn on circuits until I find one that pops outlet. Still, the outlet GFCI I am plugged into pops. I check charger/inverter breaker and it’s ok. No breaker on Surge Gard.

What am I missing?
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Nov 08, 2020
    Oh adapter source. Wal*mart has 'em.

    I agree with JKWilson though that is likely not it.

    HOWEVER there is a situtation with RV's that as an trained Electronics Tech and half trained engineer and ham radio operator I understand that MIGHT affect it.
    It's called capacitive coupling. But I doubt it is the reason.

    Many GFCI the 3rd wire is N/C (not connected) internally.
  • jkwilson's avatar
    jkwilson
    Explorer III
    Nov 03, 2020
    The GFCI doesn’t care about a missing ground. I’d certainly try a new adapter, but the pin missing is not the cause of the tripping. The hole in the adapter might have let moisture or debris in that causes it to trip.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Nov 03, 2020
    On an RV I am not sure but I think that might do it
    I'd suggest a "Dog bone" type adapter Plug. short cord. outlet
    Puts less strain on the outlet.
  • Land_Yachters's avatar
    Land_Yachters
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2020
    OK, in an effort to share our experiences and make all of us a little smarter, I will try to share a pic of what I found when changing connection to a different outlet. ****, I was using a cheap 30 amp/15/amp adapter and saw the ground lug broke off in the extension cord. I think that may be the culprit. Lesson learned..

    Look for the weakest link
    Look for the most obvious and easiest to fix

    I couldn't find another adapter locally, and had to get one from Amazon

    I will let all know if this is not issue>

    Thank you all

  • houstonstroker's avatar
    houstonstroker
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2020
    ktmrfs wrote:
    houstonstroker wrote:
    GFCI units (RVS) do not like to be plugged into GFCI outlets. My motorhome has GFCI breakers,. I turn these off while plugged in at my storage unit. Also GFCI outlets weaken over time. Leave your GFCI breakers or outlets off and plug in again.


    GFI downstream shouldn't be an issue unless you have many many downstream.

    If that was the case hair dryers, pressure washers, electric blankets etc. with built in GFI would be cause of trips and it seldom if ever happens.

    Two things cause a GFI to trip (other than a failed GFI which does happen)

    1) imbalance in current in the hot and neutral legs
    2) a ground neutral short

    either or both will cause GFI to trip.

    to help isolate, trip the coach main breaker. if the GFI trips highly likely it is a ground neutral short. if it doesn't trip all the breakers but the 50A and turn on the 50A. if no trip turn on one breaker at a time till it trips. That's the faulty circuit.

    breakers only isolate hot lead so a ground neutral short could be on any circuit if it trips with main breaker tripped.

    If there is a surge protector etc. before the main breaker a fault in that could trip the GFI.


    The OP is not plugged into a campground (non GFCI Outlet) he is plugged into a home GFCI outlet.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 02, 2020
    Engine cover could be the culprit! do you have engine block heaters?
    Make sure the heaters are off.
  • Land_Yachters's avatar
    Land_Yachters
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2020
    Thanks to all. I have tried many of the suggestions, and returning to the coach this morning to plug it into another outlet. I use my daughters house for storage. Need a longer extension cord. I had no electrical work done while in shop. I know many have asked, but all I had done was a rear camera repair and fixing the support on rear engine cover.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Nov 02, 2020
    I would still like to know what the repair facility worked on!
    They did something since it worked before going to the shop.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Nov 02, 2020
    MrWizard wrote:
    Neutral leak is NOT present when using generator

    Like wnjj said, this is only true if the generator is not bonded. We don't know if his generator is bonded.

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