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Old 05-10-2011, 09:40 AM   #1
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I've been a lurker for years, I follow the modifications and have even done afew. When I have a problem I find a solution on the forum. I was somewhat active when wewere buyingour 2007 CK29 cruiser. But now I'm stumped and need some help. We just pulled the camper out of the garage last weekend andwhen we plugged into the housethe GFI at the house tripped. We finally plugged in to a regular outlet in the house but then the GFI in the back of the 5th wheel tripped.The GFI in the bathroom is fine as are the outletsin the bedroom, the tv, stereo and the microwave is on. Not the fridge andmost of the outlets in the living area. Iswitched the two GFI's around and it is not a bad GFI. What do I do next?? I pulled one of the outletsin the back that wasn't working and looks greek to me. I didn't know how to open it to check the wiring. The outside outlet also works, but the fridge outlet doesn't. There is very little evidence anywhere of mice. Any suggestions for what to do next will be appreciated!!! Lorrie
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Old 05-10-2011, 10:10 AM   #2
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Make sure your electric water heater is not on, especially if it is not hooked up to water. Also make sure your battery is hooked up & is a good battery.
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Old 05-10-2011, 10:51 AM   #3
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The water heater isn't on, we haven't dewinterized yet. The batteries were dead and we had to add water to them, but I don't know what that would have to do with the 120. Tell me what you think about this.
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Old 05-10-2011, 11:23 AM   #4
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It sounds like the issue is isolated to certain circuit(s). There are electrical boxes underneath, usually where the slideouts are... Possibly some water has gotten in there. You could pull a cover and see. Some people have suggested to drill holes in the box for the water to drain, but I would use silicone. Just make sure you disconnect your hydro and battery when messing with wires.



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Old 05-10-2011, 12:42 PM   #5
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Thanks, I'll check out the outlets underneath. I'm thinking I may have to check out the outlets, but they are foreign to me. Do the backs come off fairly easy?
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Old 05-10-2011, 02:57 PM   #6
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Your convertor could be working overtime to charge the battery & trying to run the refrigerator too. Try also unplugging the 110 plug from the refrigerator, to see if the GFI will reset.
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Old 05-15-2011, 11:30 AM   #7
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I checked the outlets in the slides, the ones closest to the wheels had dry dirt in them but they were dry. I tried unplugging the fridge but the gfi still tripped. DH says he thinks the batteries are shot, at least one of them. FFFord you said to make sure the battery was good, will this trip a gfi if you have a bad battery? Thanks, Lorrie
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Old 05-15-2011, 12:27 PM   #8
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I'm not sure, but the convertor will work overtime to try to charge a dead battery, which might cause an imbalance, causing the GFI to trip.
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Old 05-15-2011, 09:19 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lorbob45
DH says he thinks the batteries are shot, at least one of them. FFFord you said to make sure the battery was good, will this trip a gfi if you have a bad battery? Thanks, Lorrie

The GFCI is intended for use on the 120 volt system only and will not trip because of abad battery. It only looks for a current flow of 6 milliamps or more from the neutral to ground on the 120 volt circuit. As previously mentioned, the problem is most likely in the FS box mounted on the frame of the the trailer. It is the connection box where the 120V circuit is connected to the flexible cable that goes the slider. These boxes have a tendency to get water in them causing current to flow between neutral and ground. There is likely a box for each slide, so open them up and clean and check the connections, making sure they are clean, secure and dry. Reseal the boxes with RTV at the covers and the cable clamps.
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Old 05-16-2011, 06:39 AM   #10
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What is RTV? I have some clear silicone, will that work?
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Old 05-16-2011, 06:43 AM   #11
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RTV Silicone (room temperature vulcanization silicone) is a type of silicone rubber made from a two-component system (base plus curative; A+B) available in a hardness range of very soft to medium. So, Yes.
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Old 05-16-2011, 09:09 AM   #12
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Not only amI newby lurker, now I have to eat a little crow. I had checked the outside boxes on the door side because they were dirty and I got cold and lazy and didn't check the boxes that looked clean. Today after work I decided to check all of the boxes, check the wires and clean them.On the drivers there was water in both the boxes!!! Now I need to go out and see if the that gfi trips. I'll post what happens.
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Old 05-16-2011, 09:34 AM   #13
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Okay, eatin crow and not minding it a bit. The gfi is NOT tripping and I'm a happy gal! Thanks everyone, just to let you know people on this forum have come to my rescue more than once!!!!! My Dad asked why plumbers putty wouldn't work on these boxes for water-proofing, he thought maybe I shouldn't be using an adhesive just in case I need to get back in there. But tell me what to do next and I'll follow through. If you think TVS is the solution, I will get it.
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Old 05-16-2011, 10:46 AM   #14
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I don't think plumbers putty will work well, especially if you try and seal where the wiring goes into the box. RTV sealant will do a better job.

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Old 05-16-2011, 10:50 AM   #15
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FFFord says you can buy it in different hardness ranges, what is suggested? Is it also and adhesive?
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Old 05-16-2011, 11:09 AM   #16
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good job on the repair...
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Old 05-16-2011, 11:51 AM   #17
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Thanks,
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Old 05-16-2011, 12:17 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lorbob45
What is RTV? I have some clear silicone, will that work?

RTV is just an industrial grade silicone glue/sealant. Your clear silicone willwork fine, just make sure the surfaces that you want to seal are clean and dry when you use it.
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Old 05-19-2011, 10:51 PM   #19
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A big Thank You to everyone!!! I bought some RTV and the boxes are sealed and the camper is ready for the season!!! My Dad is amazed that I could go on the computer, ask a question and get a resolution to a problemfrom complete strangersall within a couple of days. He said it would have taken him days to figure out this problem. Thank you again, you are a great bunch!
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