Power plug keeps tripping GFI at the post

[anniendan]

When plugging our 2004 Arctic Fox 1150 camper into shore power, the GFI we are plugging into will trip. We found one exterior plug that the wire was a little loose on and we have fixed that. We checked every plug all is well, unplugged the microwave and plugged in still tripped. Not sure where to test next. When plugging into shore power things such as Refri, AC, plugs and Microwave come into play. Is there something else we are not thinking about that would be causing the GFI plug to trip??
Thanks in advance!!! Tripping in Seattle

[anniendan]

End of the mystery!!!! First of all thank you all for your quick responses.
We ended up taking each receptacle out. One at a time then plugging into the GFCI plug and when it stopped tripping we knew right away which one it might be. Out of 10 plugs we found the guilty receptacle on the 7th one!!! Really glad it wasn't something worst than a receptacle issue.
Thank you again for your support.
Happy camping!!

[deadticket8]

You've probably gone way past this but I will share it anyway. Some GFCIs were manufactured so sensitive that they trip when ever a plug is inserted because they are designed to open the circuit whenever there is a potential difference between the hot and neutral. I would try to reset after the plug is inserted. Then all the troubleshooting if that does not work.

[anniendan]

I believe we are at that point of disconnecting the neutrals one at a time.
I did unplug the microwave and unplug refri and it still trips. So nothing big but will be time consuming to locate anything else. We have time we are retired.
Thanks for your feedback.

[beemerphile1]

I had the same problem. I had to disconnect all the neutrals inside the RV breaker box. I plugged and unplugged after reconnecting the neutrals one at a time. After isolating the bad circuit, I then traced out that circuit manually. Turned out it was a staple that was shorting the ground and neutral together in the air conditioner circuit. It wasn't shorting the hot or it would have tripped the circuit breaker.

Easy fix once I found it, the finding it was what took the time.

[anniendan]

Thanks so much to asking on afnash. I have started the registration process so will check on it when I get my registration complete.

[wgriswold]

I asked the question for you at afnash.com. It is a great resource for Arctic Fox owners. You might want to check it our. Your question is under truck campers.

[anniendan]

if it is by the converter which i think you are correct it's the bench under the window that is in the front of the camper before you go up to the bunk. I'll check there.

[wgriswold]

anniendan wrote:
We tried to locate the place where the outside plug joins to the camper, but we loose it behind the wall. Where is yours located.

Mine is in regular metal junction box under the bed with an access door cut into the bed platform.

I don't know where it is in a camper, but there has to be someplace where the connection is made. Maybe near the converter?

[anniendan]

Wgriswold your post I just went through this with my Arctic Fox. I found the problem in the junction box where the outside cord attaches to the trailer's electrical wiring. The attachment is made with wire nuts and the neutral connection had come loose and melted the wire nut and the insulation about 1" back from the connection. I made the repair and all was good.

We tried to locate the place where the outside plug joins to the camper, but we loose it behind the wall. Where is yours located.

[anniendan]

Awesome suggestions. Actually did try turning breakers off one at a time, still tripped.
We did have a loose wire in the outside plug so we replaced that still issue.
Haven't checked the converter but will be doing that shortly.
Thank you everyone for the quick and great responses!!!
Will keep ya posted

[Wayne_Dohnal]

GFCI troubleshooting post. .

[wgriswold]

I just went through this with my Arctic Fox. I found the problem in the junction box where the outside cord attaches to the trailer's electrical wiring. The attachment is made with wire nuts and the neutral connection had come loose and melted the wire nut and the insulation about 1" back from the connection. I made the repair and all was good.

The use of wire nuts is problematic. Far better is to solder or use properly crimped on connections. I may go back and do that.

Good luck.

[wa8yxm]

If you have an inverter.. Was the neutral bonded to ground (unbond it)

Some converters will trip a GFCI if the battery is hungry
Some ... If the battery is full

And of course the above suggestions as well.

I have heard of junction boxes under slide outs filling with water as well. The patio outlet (outside outlet) is another suspect, The list goes on.

[enblethen]

Turn off all circuit breakers in the rig, then see if it trips.
If it does not trip, turn on main breaker in rig(if equipped). Then turn on each branch breaker to see what circuit problem is on.
Unplug the refer from the exterior access. it is possible that the 120 volt AC heater element is going to groun.