New member…trailer trips gfci outlet when “gen purpose” breaker is on

Have had the trailer a year with no problems. A family member plugged a large compressor in to same outlet trailer was plugged into and fried outlet. Outlet was replaced(is grounded and working fine). But new gfci outlet trips whenever my power is plugged in. The main power cord looked corroded so I spliced a brand new one on. Still tripped, so I turned all breakers to off and plugged in and turned them on one by one to figure out that the blue general purpose switch was the one causing trip. Inspected corresponding general purpose fuses near converter but all look good. Wondering where next to check? Please help!

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[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Frank,

 

No idea what year or model you have or whether your photo is of the main and only panel or the main with a separate subpanel for your inverter.

 

Is your blue general purpose perhaps a gfi circuit for your camper?  There must be one protecting outlets near kitchen and bathroom sinks, often basement outlets and certainly outside outlets.  One gfi outlet if wired correctly can protect several downstream outlets.

Sometimes a fried connection or short In the line feeding a gfi outlet takes out a gfi outlet causing all kinds of wierd stuff.  Try finding that controlling gfi outlet, remove it from the line and see if the blue breaker still pops.  I know downstream outlets won’t have power when you remove the gfi, but you are testing the blue breaker and that one “maybe bad” gfi outlet,  not the downstream outlets.  If the blue still pops, try replacing that 15 amp breaker, but disconnect from shore power first!

 

Good luck.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[Expired MemberTopics - 40Replies - 107Total - 147]

Update…I replaced the breaker, still tripped. So I just replaced the gfi outlet trailer plugged into with a standard outlet and no trips, used electric in trailer for a day and noticed a bad sulfur smell. Went to batteries and both were bubbling and smoking. Ugh! Back to an extension cord to power satellite and flashlights and candles for foreseeable future

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Frank,

 

I assume your 5er is 50 amp, but were you plugging your 5er into a 30 amp source with an adapter?  I ask because it sounds like your 5er is now on a 20 amp adapter.

 

If it was a 30 amp outlet source, that big compressor may have been looking for 220 volt 30 amp, not 110 volt 30 amp the camper with adapter would draw and the outlet should be wired for.  A 220 volt compressor plugged into a 110 line would fry both the outlet and the breaker – maybe the wires in between too.  Sounds like the neutral wire may have fried to ground somewhere in the line to the outlet.  A 30 -amp 110 volt and a 30-amp 220 volt male plug look alike!

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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