GFI trips when generator used

[dhull]

Onan 2500 installed in a 2017 Wolf Creek 840 TC

I have a GFI outlet under the sink on wall with a reset button on it. It controls 2 other outlets, one outside by steps and one on the wall behind the kitchen sink. All works fine on shore power.

When I fire up the Onan a few seconds after the transfer switch powers camper sometimes the GFI trips and I lose power to those 3 outlets. All the other non GFI 110 outlets in the camper work.
This is an intermittent problem and some times works fine. Other times it'll trip once or twice I can reset the GFI with gen running and then work fine or it'll take a fit keep tripping and refuse to work at all. At this point just resetting the GFI causes it to trip again immediately. Turning off the generator and starting over is only way to reset GFI.
There may be some correlation with higher outside temperatures
and the likelihood of the problem happening.
How can I fix this?

[dhull]

I did dissappear went boondocking for a week, no cell coverage even, sure missed those robo calls.
Anyway still experiencing problem and still intermittent. I should have stated that this is an on board genny controlled by a transfer switch.
Seems like the most easily implemented suggestion given is to unhook downstream outlets to see if that's what's tripping the GFI. I sure hope it's not a genny problem as a ground neutral bond problem is over my head and something I would not mess with since the problem is only an annoyance as I can use other receptacles if needed.

Thanks...

[wnjj]

road-runner wrote:
This is a weird situation and I doubt that there will be much if any actual experience to draw from. Only best guesses. The GFI senses only downstream faults, so I don't see how doing anything at the generator or transfer switch would fix the problem. The power out of the generator isn't as clean as shore power, which could explain why you never see the trip on shore power. When there are weird GFI trips I'm usually about the last person to say "replace the GFI", but in this case I don't think that's a bad thing to try. Another obvious isolation step is to disconnect the downstream outlets from the GFI. Tough call, in my estimation, which to try first.

X2

Disconnecting the downstream receptacles or at least inspecting them is a good idea. Maybe there’s a loose ground wire in one of them and the vibration from the generator is enough to cause it to bump the neutral.

[bikendan]

3 tons wrote:
Op, disappeared....

it's only been 2 days.:R

[3_tons]

Op, disappeared....

[PNW_Steve]

Let me phrase this a little differently.......

For much of the time that I worked as an electrician I lived full time in my RV at various RV parks.

I frequently was asked to give a hand with neighbors RV electrical troubles.

Among the common issues that I saw was GFI receptacles that stopped functioning immediately after adding or replacing the generator.

Solution: Correct the ground-neutral bond at either the generator or the transfer switch depending on the particular configuration.

Good luck.

[3_tons]

Per the OP’s description, if the problem ONLY develops when running the generator (assuming not plugged in to shore power), then per the principle of Occum’s Razor, I would first look to the generator...

[pianotuna]

Nuisance trips are quite possible. I'd suggest running the generator for a minute or so before connecting the RV.

I've had the same problem with gfci occasionally tripping. It has happened with shore power.

It has not happened down stream since I got the Magnum 3012--but that has a built in time delay before power is connected.

[D_E_Bishop]

PNW_Steve wrote:
I can't get the link to work. Copy and paste the address into your browser.

link

[road-runner]

This is a weird situation and I doubt that there will be much if any actual experience to draw from. Only best guesses. The GFI senses only downstream faults, so I don't see how doing anything at the generator or transfer switch would fix the problem. The power out of the generator isn't as clean as shore power, which could explain why you never see the trip on shore power. When there are weird GFI trips I'm usually about the last person to say "replace the GFI", but in this case I don't think that's a bad thing to try. Another obvious isolation step is to disconnect the downstream outlets from the GFI. Tough call, in my estimation, which to try first.

[PNW_Steve]

I can't get the link to work. Copy and paste the address into your browser.

[PNW_Steve]

It sounds like the ground and neutral are not bonded.


Take a look at this: http://noshockzone.org/generator-ground-neutral-bonding/

[3_tons]

If we can assume that the GFI is working properly, then I would locate and temporarily disconnect the ground on the Onan and see what happens.. If after this the GFI is unaffected, it then may point to a failing generator floating ground or related internal problem...