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GFCI won't reset

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
Last night my wife was using the blow dryer plugged into the GFCI in the bathroom as she heated tea in the microwave. We think the GFCI has blown as it will not reset and most all outlets are down in the 2010 Keystone Outback.

We do not have any blown fuses or any tripped breakers.

The ground is very wet and doesnt look like we will be abke to get it out to the shop for several weeks or more.

Ideas and problem solving?
33 REPLIES 33

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
Remember I have 0 working outlets in the travel trailer and am only wanting to restore power. The fridge is not the only issue.

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
ktmrfs wrote:
Evanford1992 wrote:
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.


microwave in 99%+ cases is NOT tied to the GFI circuit. If it is the microwave is wired against NEC code. Microwave should be on it's own dedicated circuit.

So, the only load on the GFI outlet was the hair dryer.

Now GFI are known to fail, have had them fail before. but with it being wet outside, could also be the outside outlet. I don't know of an easy way to detmine if it is the GFI or outside outlet being wet.


I have never opened, nor have I used the outside outlet so I am going to work on determining power from the house as well as disconnecting the GFCI.

ktmrfs
Explorer
Explorer
Evanford1992 wrote:
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.


microwave in 99%+ cases is NOT tied to the GFI circuit. If it is the microwave is wired against NEC code. Microwave should be on it's own dedicated circuit.

So, the only load on the GFI outlet was the hair dryer.

Now, if the trailer was connected to a 20A breaker, it likely would trip. and occasionally a 30A will trip with both running as well, especially if the battery charger or a few other items were running. like the HWH element or AC.

does the microwave still work? If not you have tripped either the trailer 30A or the supply breaker most likely

Now GFI are known to fail, have had them fail before. but with it being wet outside, could also be the outside outlet. I don't know of an easy way to detmine if it is the GFI or outside outlet being wet.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

Check the outlet at the house. If there is power, then check the cord to the RV.

Is the outlet at the house 30 amp?
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Explorer III
downtheroad wrote:
Had the same problem on a previous trailer....tried everything, threw the kitchen sink at it, pulled out my hair.....nothing.

Replaced it and problem solved. (they fail).


EXACTLY. Just like a thermal breaker, they have a finite life and fail.
2015 Backpack SS1500
1997 Ford 7.3 OBS 4x4 CC LB

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
ScottG wrote:
Ed_Gee wrote:
Evanford1992 wrote:
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.


Between the blow dryer and microwave oven alone, you could easily trip a 30A breaker somewhere.....especially when you add in the current being used by other lights and appliances. I’d start by ensuring you still have shore power getting to the coach. I suspect you have a breaker tripped rather than a GFCI outlet issue.


Tripping a GFCI has nothing to do with overloading it. You can run enough current through it to melt it down to a pile of plastic and it wont trip its GFCI.
You should be able to run those two items at once if they're not on the same circuit.
OP, with a 30A service you can run two large loads at once but no more. They cannot be on the same circuit in your RV's breaker panel though.

If you pull the GFCI out, it will have two sets of black and white wires - one set at each end. One end will have the word "load" embossed in the plastic housing or a sticker saying the same. Disconnect the black and white wires at that end.
If you can then reset the GFCI, there's something down the line tripping it.
If it still wont reset, it's defective.

In fact, before you do anything, go to the back of your fridge and unplug it (DONT just turn it off).
If the GFCI resets, the fridge's heater is bad (even though it functions)


ScottG, should I keep all power to the rv running while I unplug the fridge and/or pull the GFCI out?

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
Ed...I have 7 outlets and all outlets are not working. Does this mean that it is coming from the house that the rv is plugged into rather than the travel trailer itself?

The gfci still won't reset and the breaker box in the house isn't showing any tripped breakers nor is the breaker box in the travel trailer. We have reset the breakers and still no luck.

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
there cheap have a friend or ask the manager if they know some one to change it.takes about 15min job.

mosseater
Explorer II
Explorer II
I've replaced quite a few of these over the years. It's my experience that they seem to be junk. Expensive junk!
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
Ed_Gee wrote:
Evanford1992 wrote:
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.


Between the blow dryer and microwave oven alone, you could easily trip a 30A breaker somewhere.....especially when you add in the current being used by other lights and appliances. I’d start by ensuring you still have shore power getting to the coach. I suspect you have a breaker tripped rather than a GFCI outlet issue.


Tripping a GFCI has nothing to do with overloading it. You can run enough current through it to melt it down to a pile of plastic and it wont trip its GFCI.
You should be able to run those two items at once if they're not on the same circuit.
OP, with a 30A service you can run two large loads at once but no more. They cannot be on the same circuit in your RV's breaker panel though.

If you pull the GFCI out, it will have two sets of black and white wires - one set at each end. One end will have the word "load" embossed in the plastic housing or a sticker saying the same. Disconnect the black and white wires at that end.
If you can then reset the GFCI, there's something down the line tripping it.
If it still wont reset, it's defective.

In fact, before you do anything, go to the back of your fridge and unplug it (DONT just turn it off).
If the GFCI resets, the fridge's heater is bad (even though it functions)

Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Explorer II
Evanford1992 wrote:
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.


Between the blow dryer and microwave oven alone, you could easily trip a 30A breaker somewhere.....especially when you add in the current being used by other lights and appliances. I’d start by ensuring you still have shore power getting to the coach. I suspect you have a breaker tripped rather than a GFCI outlet issue.
Ed - on the Central Oregon coast
2018 Winnebago Fuse 23A
Scion xA toad

Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Explorer II
OP says, “most all” outlets are dead. Which is it? Most, or all. If all, don’t forget to check shore power breakers. Do you have AC present ANYWHERE in the trailer?
Ed - on the Central Oregon coast
2018 Winnebago Fuse 23A
Scion xA toad

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
Replying to downtheroad and BB_TX, sounds like replacing it may just be the problem. Should I make sure all power is off running to the travel trailer before working on the GFCI outlet or just flip the breaker off?

Evanford1992
Explorer
Explorer
Replying to ScottG, I am not very good with electrical problems so how would I determine if it was an exterior outlet that got wet and tripped versus the GFCI just going bad?

She was using the blow dryer amd microwave as it blew which makes me think it was something going bad rather than water outside the rv although it was raining last night.

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
Agree that GFCI outlets can and do fail. Replace it. Inexpensive and easy to try as a first step.