sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Moved from 5th wheels to tech issues.
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Patty98311
Arkansas
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Since you have checked them with a meter and the unit will operate directly though the 50 amp cord to the genny my though is one of three things you could do, remember just because you checked with the meter does not mean those cords are safe they could be failing under load, possible courses of action, (1) replace all pigtails and any extension cord used and plug them in (2) open all breakers(in the trailer) then plug in again(I don't like this one but it might isolate to a component in the trailer) (3) find an electrician who will test your cords with a load tester then test your trailer circuits. Electricity kills be careful. you could be creating a live ground situation, if you not sure get an electrician.
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poker5150
Ventura County
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Update......I turned off the breakers inside the trailer, about 5 of them i think, and then plugged into the gfi outlet.....it popped again. Should I also remove the (4) 30 amp fuses that are mounted by the batteries?
I know my 12 gauge extension cord is good because I just used it to power my pressure washer.
The pigtails are brand new and tested fine with the ohm meter.
I know the ground for the genset must be separate because when i plug the 50 amp cord into the genset receptacle, everything in the trailer works fine.
But why would the gfi in my garage trip if the breakers were turned off? Or does it really matter if they are off if there is a ground fault?
I don't understand electrical stufff that much so forgive me for all the questions.
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Jamesrpm
Oregon Coast
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Try another "good " extension cord , you've checked everything but it.
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chiefcramer
USA Somewhere
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just a thought but sometimes gfi's outlets go bad too. Can you try another outlet?
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poker5150
Ventura County
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I've already tried other cords and other outlets with the same results.
I am thinking that I must have a significant ground fault.....and that the genny must have a separate ground. What I need to know is where the trailer's 50-amp shore service is grounded. I would assume somewhere along the frame but i can't find it. The bottom of the trailer is sealed so I don not see where the wires run once the enter the trailer.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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The shore power cord should be attached to the ground buss in the AC distribution panel. There should be a ground wire from the distribution panel to the rigs frame.
The wiring should enter rig to a junction box where it changes from the cord to the rigs wiring system which could be Romex style cable or flexible conduit. From that box it should go to the transfer switch for the genset and then to the distribution panel.
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poker5150
Ventura County
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Thanks I'll follow that route and see what I find.
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beemerphile1
NE Ohio
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To find a similar problem, I had to open the breaker box in my trailer and disconnect all grounds and neutrals. I finally found that the Romex to the air conditioner was pinched and the neutral and ground was making contact. Even after switching off breakers the neutrals and grounds are all still connected.
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vermilye
Oswego, NY, USA
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One question that might help in finding answers - Is the breaker tripping or is it a GFCI receptacle tripping? If it is the GFCI, I would suspect a ground/neutral fault since you have turned off the breakers inside the trailer.
You can check the adapters & cord by plugging them into the household GFCI without the trailer plugged. If it holds, the problem is in the trailer.
Although opening the ground connection to the frame of the trailer might stop the GFCI from tripping, it is not a safe solution since the fault still exists. Places to check - the hot water heater particularly if there is a chance it was run on electric without water, even for a few minutes. Also check for a ground/neutral fault in the refer heater & your converter. You might also look for moisture in any outlet that provides a connection between the ground and neutral. If you use your multimeter to measure resistance (ohms) between the ground & the neutral, it should be infinite or at least very high. The best way to determine which circuit is causing the problem is to unplug the trailer, open your breaker panel, lift each neutral one at a time, replugging between each lift. You will likely find a circuit that, when disconnected, lets the GFCI hold. Figure out what is on that circuit & fix it...
If it is the actual circuit breaker tripping, you most likely have a short somewhere. If you are sure your turned off every breaker including the main, and it works plugged into the generator, I would suspect a problem with the adapters or cord.
One last possibility - if your batteries are so far down that the converter draws more than 20 amps that would blow the breaker when plugged into the 15/20 amp household outlet - you might try charging them with a regular battery charger first.
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