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JColby077's avatar
JColby077
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015

Trailer is Tripping GFI Breaker at Drop

I just purchased a 2008 FR Salem after my other camper was distroyed by a tree limb. When I picked it up Everything worked at the dealer, 2 days later I towed it to my Seasonal Site. Minute I plug it in it trips the breaker. I have the owner reset the GFI Breaker, it trips again, I cant run anything, I had to turn off my Converter breaker. Then my Mirco tripped it, Turned that off.. Tryed my AC Fan Only, thant tripped it. I had to use battery power for the the lights and Gas to make it through the weekend.

3 weeks before this my old camper was just fine.

A couple of fellow seasonals informed me I that they upgraded the amps at the sites north of me and used the drop/panel that I run off. My Site is also the bottom breaker, the upper breaker/sites havent had a problem.
Could lack of Volts on their end be tripping the GFI Breaker? or do I have a ground problem? Should I tell them to put a Standard 30amp breaker in.
Ready to pull out and ask for money back or report them for not pulling permits or useing licensed Electrician.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    A classic example why everyone who owns an RV ought to have some sort of surge protector / EMS device that can detect and display errors with the source supply, not allow it through to the coach when it does find errors, and will even automatically disconnect the power if voltage falls outside of acceptable range. Why more aren't willing to invest a few hundred $$$ in a device that can do so much to protect an investment in a trailer costing tens of thousands $$$$$ is a mystery. :h
  • raygreg's avatar
    raygreg
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    Can you move your trailer to another spot to plug your power cord in to see if you get the same results??
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    Before getting a really red face when any authority finds out that it is your rig and not the pedestal at fault, I'd check out the usual suspects in the rig. Start with the shore cord and work inward. You will need a meter and good observation to diagnose the issue.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 03, 2015
    Have you checked the battery is good?
    Is the fridge and water on propane only?
    Otherwise you need to determine if it is overload or GFCI issue tripping the breaker.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2015
    JColby077 wrote:

    Ready to pull out and ask for money back or report them for not pulling permits or useing licensed Electrician.


    If the CG electrical is a screwy as it sounds like it could be, I would report it to the local authority having jurisdiction regardless. Improper electrical work can be a very serious safety risk to the public. The NEC is very specific on how RV parks must be wired. 30 amp GFCIs are not a requirement but they do exist. Until you know what the problem is, I would not connect to the pedestal.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2015
    DrewE wrote:
    Low voltage generally oughtn't trip a GFCI breaker. (Note that there could be a difference between oughtn't and doesn't.) I would guess that you have a ground fault or leakage in your new RV—certainly, it would be wise to check it out carefully. There may also be a ground fault in the campground's wiring, possibly caused by moving things around for the recent wiring changes.

    It only takes a misplaced ground or neutral connection or a pinched wire or any of a bunch of other problems to cause a ground fault.

    (Old-Biscuit — I think it's a 30A connection with a 30A GFCI breaker in the breaker box, if I'm interpreting things properly.)


    Yeah..went back and re-read OP where he talked about a standard 30A.

    In all the CGs over 7 yrs. FT NEVER ran across any GFCI breakers on power pedestals except for regular 15/20A outlets


    Sounds like a dosey of a CG.

    OP should still start will elimination (if doesn't have a meter/outlet tester) by tuning ALL RV breakers off then one at a time.....main thru individual to see IF issue is RV or CG
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Jul 03, 2015
    Low voltage generally oughtn't trip a GFCI breaker. (Note that there could be a difference between oughtn't and doesn't.) I would guess that you have a ground fault or leakage in your new RV—certainly, it would be wise to check it out carefully. There may also be a ground fault in the campground's wiring, possibly caused by moving things around for the recent wiring changes.

    It only takes a misplaced ground or neutral connection or a pinched wire or any of a bunch of other problems to cause a ground fault.

    (Old-Biscuit — I think it's a 30A connection with a 30A GFCI breaker in the breaker box, if I'm interpreting things properly.)
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2015
    Some receptacle testers test GFCI. If you are home run an extension cord from a GFCI in the house. Does the A/C fan trip it? Test for voltage potentials pedestal or outlet neutral to trailer chassis. Then test plugged on trailer chassis to earth ground voltage.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2015
    Seasonal site and all you get is a standard 120V AC outlet........:H

    Not much will run on 15/20A outlet.

    What voltage are you getting.....you are checking that right?


    Turn off your RV Main breaker.....then plug in.
    If breaker doesn't trip then turn ALL your AC breakers off.
    Then turn your RV main breaker ON

    No trip..then turn your RV individual breakers on one at a time until it trips
    Fridge or water heater most likely culprit
    UNLESS CG HAS ISSUES

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