electrical issue

Dayle1 · 03-09-2014, 03:57 PM

Today I lost power and it took a while to find the problem. I first discovered that CR mislabeled the RV breakers, 'front' means rear and 'rear' means front. OK nothing too serious. Then I could figure out which outlets were affected and which were OK so I could look for a failed connection at one of them. In the process, I discovered it was the kitchen GFI that had tripped. So the good news is that all connections are OK. The bad news is that CR wired the entire living/kitchen area, total of 7 outlets thru the GFI. Residential code allows a max. of just 2 outlets. When I have time, I'll have to see if I can bypass the GFI for the 5 living room outlets.

**mark5w** · 03-09-2014, 03:59 PM

If you can bypass the GFI please let us know.

Darrell · 03-09-2014, 05:42 PM

I had a problem all last year with the centre island GFI tripping. Drove me crazy because I couldn't figure it out, and neither coulfd the dealer - till I brought it in to the dealer for the CR covered stem to stern 6 month checkout. Apparently there was an electrical connection under the dining room slide that was shorting - and tripping the GFI. I woun't know for sure the tech nailed it - till I get the trailer back from her loooong winter's nap!!!!!

**mark5w** · 03-09-2014, 05:47 PM

When I have both my microwave and fireplace on, that GFI under the end of the island trips. Too many circuits on it.

carl · 03-09-2014, 07:52 PM

This is a little information on how a GFCI functions: Circuit amperage does not trip a GFCI outlet! It senses the leakage current from the hot to the ground wire by monitoring the amperage difference in the hot and neutral conductors and will usually trip at a level of 4 to 9 mili-amps. They are designed for personal protection and not circuit protection. A GFCI circuit breaker is the same with the exception that it also includes circuit overload protection.

**mark5w** · 03-09-2014, 08:12 PM

also.....The receptacles in the RV are protected by a circuit breaker and/or the GFCI system. Hair dryers, curling irons, toasters, coffee makers, etc. use a very high amount of electricity (amperage). Each circuit is rated at 15 amps. Typically, any combination of two of these types of accessories will draw more than 15 amps which will cause the breaker to trip. It may be necessary to operate only one of these types of accessories at a time.

Stan · 03-09-2014, 08:34 PM

There is no specific limit of the number of receptacles downstream of the GFI in the NEC. It does say no more than 10 total on a 15A circuit or 13 on a 20A. I think it's stupid to have only two breakers (front and back) on an RV. My 07 is the same way so CR has been doing it this way for years. I do wish RV's were built more along the lines of a residential house when it comes to code but since RV's are governed more by HUD, residential codes are often thrown out the window.

You may also like: