Microwave and TV Power - Need help troubleshooting

[Discovery8]

I'm getting power to the MH. The microwave and both TV's in living room and bedroom went completely out. I was plugged into shore power when they went out.

Any ideas/advise?

Thank you.

[Discovery8]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Discovery8, I have another suggestion for you. It may keep the grey hairs to a minimum. Google The 12 volt side of life. Oh yeah, then go there and read both sections. You will save yourself a lot of time and worry.

Next, Google, RV 120 volt AC circuits. Same thing here. I don't have a suggestion for a specific site, I have been in the trade since I was 14 and just kind off know a lot.

Two tools I would reccomend you buy are a 12 vdc test light, and a 120 volt ac non-contact probe. When you can use those tools with convidence, you can go to a inexpensive DMM or Digital MultiMeter.

Good luck and relax, it's really simple and easy to learn.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

[D_E_Bishop]

Discovery8, I have another suggestion for you. It may keep the grey hairs to a minimum. Google The 12 volt side of life. Oh yeah, then go there and read both sections. You will save yourself a lot of time and worry.

Next, Google, RV 120 volt AC circuits. Same thing here. I don't have a suggestion for a specific site, I have been in the trade since I was 14 and just kind off know a lot.

Two tools I would reccomend you buy are a 12 vdc test light, and a 120 volt ac non-contact probe. When you can use those tools with convidence, you can go to a inexpensive DMM or Digital MultiMeter.

Good luck and relax, it's really simple and easy to learn.

[Discovery8]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If the gfci will not reset there are three possible causes.

1. there is no power to the outlet

2. there is a fault at the gfci or down stream from it

3. the gfci is simply worn out.

As you have multiple devices without power, my money is on #1. This means, in your case, that it is probably time to call in a professional.

Thanks for responding.

Discovery8 wrote:


The GFCI outlet will not reset.

[Discovery8]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Because you have lost a considerable number of outlets and devices, you have likely lost one side of your 50 Amp service. If you can reach a different 50 amp receptacle from your unit, even with a 50 amp extension, try that.

Your power comes into the panel on two sides of your breaker panel. If all your losses are on one side of a double sided board, you have lost one side. If all your losses are every second receptacle in the panel board, you have lost one side.

It's either that way on the plug in outside, or something in your plug or in your panel has become disconnected.

Further to your problems, your inverter will be fed from only one side of your 50 amp panel, so it is very likely that because of your dimming lights, either the inverter has not got enough power from the failing circuit, or if as others have said, it's a flow through inverter, then the feed through the inverter has a loose wire in it possibly.

Do a circuit by circuit analysis of your panel to determine if all the bad things are on one side of your 50 amp service first, then get competent help with that knowledge in hand. Do not replace anything until you figure out why it is not working properly.

Thanks for the information. This is helpful.

[Discovery8]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Discovery8, if you aren't familiar with GFCI, here is a extra simple explanation. The GFCI prevents electricity in a circuit from back feeding on the neutral or ground circuits and killing you. How is not important for you to know. You do, however, need to know how to test and reset the outlet should it trip.

If you look at a GFCI you will notice that there are two buttons between the outlets, one is engraved with the word TEST and the other is engraved with the word RESET. When a fault is detected the button that says, RESET, will protrude slightly. If your GFCI's button is protruding, it needs to be pushed in until a click is heard.

If it will not stay in, disconnect every power cord in the dead outlets.

If it will not reset after removing all the cords in the dead outlets, I would suggest that you should call someone who is knowledgeable regarding residential wiring.

Normally GFCIs are installed in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms or for outside outlets. The microwave falls into the kitchen area and the use of a GFCI is probable in that circuit.

This is not a diagnosis of your problem, it is just so~ething you really need to know.

Thank you. This is helpful.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Because you have lost a considerable number of outlets and devices, you have likely lost one side of your 50 Amp service. If you can reach a different 50 amp receptacle from your unit, even with a 50 amp extension, try that.

Your power comes into the panel on two sides of your breaker panel. If all your losses are on one side of a double sided board, you have lost one side. If all your losses are every second receptacle in the panel board, you have lost one side.

It's either that way on the plug in outside, or something in your plug or in your panel has become disconnected.

Further to your problems, your inverter will be fed from only one side of your 50 amp panel, so it is very likely that because of your dimming lights, either the inverter has not got enough power from the failing circuit, or if as others have said, it's a flow through inverter, then the feed through the inverter has a loose wire in it possibly.

Do a circuit by circuit analysis of your panel to determine if all the bad things are on one side of your 50 amp service first, then get competent help with that knowledge in hand. Do not replace anything until you figure out why it is not working properly.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If the gfci will not reset there are three possible causes.

1. there is no power to the outlet

2. there is a fault at the gfci or down stream from it

3. the gfci is simply worn out.

As you have multiple devices without power, my money is on #1. This means, in your case, that it is probably time to call in a professional.

Discovery8 wrote:


The GFCI outlet will not reset.

[Discovery8]

Rick Jay wrote:
Discovery8,

Maybe I missed it, but did you Reset the GFCI? Perhaps it tripped either due to water intrusion or someone accidentally pressed the "Test" button.

The first year we had our motorhome, we were in the rig watching the front TV. All of a sudden, the TV lost power. I was checking breakers, measuring voltages...then I realized our then 4 year old daughter was on the potty and she was intrigued by the red & black buttons on the GFCI outlet. Problem solved! LOL

Good Luck,

~Rick

The GFCI outlet will not reset.

[D_E_Bishop]

Discovery8, if you aren't familiar with GFCI, here is a extra simple explanation. The GFCI prevents electricity in a circuit from back feeding on the neutral or ground circuits and killing you. How is not important for you to know. You do, however, need to know how to test and reset the outlet should it trip.

If you look at a GFCI you will notice that there are two buttons between the outlets, one is engraved with the word TEST and the other is engraved with the word RESET. When a fault is detected the button that says, RESET, will protrude slightly. If your GFCI's button is protruding, it needs to be pushed in until a click is heard.

If it will not stay in, disconnect every power cord in the dead outlets.

If it will not reset after removing all the cords in the dead outlets, I would suggest that you should call someone who is knowledgeable regarding residential wiring.

Normally GFCIs are installed in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms or for outside outlets. The microwave falls into the kitchen area and the use of a GFCI is probable in that circuit.

This is not a diagnosis of your problem, it is just so~ething you really need to know.

[wa8yxm]

Ok I will give you the power path to TV's and MIcrowave in MY RV. I will note options so this path fits nearly all RVs.

Shore power ---Auto Transfer Switch---Breaker box--30 amp branch---Inverter/charter---Sub panel---and then two 15 amp branches (out of 3) one to Microwave, One to Televisions and electronics (Both front and rear) and the 3rd to the GFCI chain.

The inverter and sub panel are optional

On some RV's. the Microwave and/or Television may be on GFCI.s

On some the Sub panel is part of the Inverter/Charger IF YOU HAVE ONE.

I had a RVer come to me for help... Half his RV had no 120 volt power.. One of the breakers on his inverter was clearly tripped.

Re-set.. he went inside his wife ask "Does he think he can help" hubby answered "He's already fixed it".. Just that fast.

Note that my RV did not COME with the inverter and sub panel they are after market add-ons so I know about 'em.

Page 2:

Sometimes you can trip ONE of the two park 50 amp breakers or your main breaker. Or sometimes ONE contact will be a tad flakey on the Marinco connector.. Re-seat all plugs and so on.

[Rick_Jay]

Discovery8,

Maybe I missed it, but did you Reset the GFCI? Perhaps it tripped either due to water intrusion or someone accidentally pressed the "Test" button.

The first year we had our motorhome, we were in the rig watching the front TV. All of a sudden, the TV lost power. I was checking breakers, measuring voltages...then I realized our then 4 year old daughter was on the potty and she was intrigued by the red & black buttons on the GFCI outlet. Problem solved! LOL

Good Luck,

~Rick

[Discovery8]

MrWizard wrote:
you need someone with electrical experience to help you

from the sound of it you have lost the "pass-thru" of power, on the outlets fed by the inverter, there should be some push button circuit breakers mounted on the inverter/charger combo

example our previous RV a 95 Safari DP
TV, (1) kitchen outlet, bath outlet, (2) bedroom outlets, and kitchen ceiling fluorescent light, where on the inverter, this was the drivers side of the RV
every outlet on the curb side was shore or generator, not wired to the inverter

your batteries are charging from the inverter AKA No Solar ?
then the inverter has power input, but no power output, no pass thru

Thank you for taking the time to respond. This makes sense.

Yes,the batteries are charging from the inverter.

Some outlets work. The GfCI outlet, microwave, fridge and TV's have no power.

[pianotuna]

Lack of power on one leg of the shore power supply.

Do you have any sort of meter?

Discovery8 wrote:
What would cause the GFCI outlet be completely out?

[MrWizard]

you need someone with electrical experience to help you

from the sound of it you have lost the "pass-thru" of power, on the outlets fed by the inverter, there should be some push button circuit breakers mounted on the inverter/charger combo

example our previous RV a 95 Safari DP
TV, (1) kitchen outlet, bath outlet, (2) bedroom outlets, and kitchen ceiling fluorescent light, where on the inverter, this was the drivers side of the RV
every outlet on the curb side was shore or generator, not wired to the inverter

your batteries are charging from the inverter AKA No Solar ?
then the inverter has power input, but no power output, no pass thru