generator popping gfi outlets

[Fred_n_Jo]

We've had our camper for a little over a year and in that time only used the generator a couple of times to run the microwave when camped without electric hookup. Those times I didn't notice any problems with any other circuits.

Yesterday we were in a primitive campsite and needed to recharge our e-books and a laptop so I crank up the factory built-in Onan 2.5 that came with our unit probably for an hour or so to do the recharge. Both GFI outlets popped. One is in the kitchen with nothing plugged in and the other is in the basement storage area with the converter plugged in. With this one popped there is no way to charge the house batteries with the generator.

This is our first experience using a generator so haven't a clue whether this is normal or not. Also found out that the Onan 2.5 drinks lots of LP.

[Bedlam]

My toy hauler had a cord storage bay with an outlet to plug into the generator. It worked great for power outages at home since I had an onboard 40 gallon fuel station and could run 50A service to the house.

My Arctic Fox was the first one I had with automatic transfer switch. It worked well but I missed the capacity of that big Onan 5500 for secondary uses.

My Host also has an ATS, but it does take longer to switch over than the Arctic Fox. I see this as good, since it ensures the voltage and current are stabilized before switching them into the circuit.

[MikeJinCO]

We have a 2017 Host Everest and seen similar problems. Not sure what is causing it yet. Note, you will find another GFI outlet in the bath area. The one thing I have noticed is that after the generator starts there is a time delay of up to 15 seconds for the microwave to fire up. This is first TC I have had that has an Automatic Transfer Switch. I haven't crawled into the basement to find out exactly the system works.

Our only other ATS experience has been in an older Foretravel MH, the high end stuff and there the ATS switched immediately. I'm not too sure about the quality of the electronics Host uses. The WFCO converter that came with it did not charge batteries properly so it got changed to a PDI.

In other TC's I just used a jumper and plugged the generator into the 120 input. Going on first extended trip in 2 weeks so will find out more. We'll be back near Columbia MO in early May if Your want to get together(send PM). Heading to Arkansas in a week or two to find spring and escape from mud/snow season in the Rockies.

[towpro]

I think an open ground wire between the Generator and the panel can cause this. Or maybe the ground IS connected by the neutral is open? What do you see when you plug in one of those electrical testers that have lights on them?

[wnjj]

lawrosa wrote:

Fred_n_Jo wrote:
Talking about the converter. The shore power goes to the breaker box where one circuit then goes to the basement storage area and that is where the converter plugs in.

So you have a seperate charger? The charger plugs into the outlet you decribe?

Because usually the converters are all in one, charger/converter. Like this..

If so whats the make?

And it only trips the breakers when generator is run correct?

Sounds like a bonding issue with the generator...

Has it ever worked?

Your version of “usual” doesn’t match mine. I’m used to converters that have normal plugs on them the plug in to a receptacle, like this one:
https://parts.unitedrv.com/products/inteli-power-9200-converter-charger

You were making an assumption about the OP’s converter and then asking questions that really were relevant to the issue. He said it was plugged in within the first post.

I don’t think the OP was trying to be rude, just directly saying he had what he needed. No reason to take it so personally.

[lawrosa]

Fred_n_Jo wrote:
lawrosa

Apparently we have totally different systems as I am talking about a "converter/multi stage charger" connected to my system as previously described. Enough said, I'm done with this thread, I'll get it taken care of before our next trip.

Thanks to all for caring.

Kind of rude dont you think?

Members here take the time to reply and try to help people like you. We are not mind readers here, and have no idea what you have the way you explained it..

Well im done with this thread too. And I guess if you need help in the future with something, I certainly will not reply...

[Fred_n_Jo]

lawrosa

Apparently we have totally different systems as I am talking about a "converter/multi stage charger" connected to my system as previously described. Enough said, I'm done with this thread, I'll get it taken care of before our next trip.

Thanks to all for caring.

[lawrosa]

Fred_n_Jo wrote:
Talking about the converter. The shore power goes to the breaker box where one circuit then goes to the basement storage area and that is where the converter plugs in.

So you have a seperate charger? The charger plugs into the outlet you decribe?

Because usually the converters are all in one, charger/converter. Like this..

If so whats the make?

And it only trips the breakers when generator is run correct?

Sounds like a bonding issue with the generator...

Has it ever worked?

[wnjj]

lawrosa wrote:

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...

Factory installation

Not sure why the converter would plug into a GFI... The converter has the shore power umbilical cord attached to it. The a/c side then goes to the breakers.

Are you talking inverter????

It's probably plugged into a GFCI because of its location. Since it's in the basement, someone could plug an extension cord in to run something outside. CYA by the manufacturer.

I can't come up with any good reason why 2 separate GFCI's would trip downstream of a generator, unless there's something wrong with the quality of the power that's causing them to false trip. Any ground issue would have to be at or beyond the GFCI's.

[Fred_n_Jo]

Talking about the converter. The shore power goes to the breaker box where one circuit then goes to the basement storage area and that is where the converter plugs in.

[lawrosa]

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...

Factory installation

Not sure why the converter would plug into a GFI... The converter has the shore power umbilical cord attached to it. The a/c side then goes to the breakers.

Are you talking inverter????

[Fred_n_Jo]

Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...

Factory installation

[Fred_n_Jo]

Thanks all, we are heading toward home tomorrow and tonight have shore power so all is fine. Will have it checked out there before another trip.

[jimh406]

ScottG wrote:
Here's one theory of why they can trip with a gen. Linkaroonie

If I understand OP, I think the generator is fine. The outlets that the generator is powering are what is tripping.

[lawrosa]

Explain how or why your converter plugs into a GFI...

[naturist]

I was a volunteer host once in a campground where we on staff all had walkie talkies we had to keep on at all times just in case of emergency. I noticed that every time I was inside the trailer and the receive channel on my walkie talkie picked up a signal, or I pressed transmit, the GFCI would kick out. When we packed up to leave, I found out why: the ground on the camp pedestal was bad and had burned my plug. It was necessary to replace the plug on my end, as well as the receptical on the pedestal. So, yeah, I suspect you have a bad ground somewhere.