Has anyone else had an issue with the GFCI (15 amp) breaker tripping when their generator switches over to provide coach power? It has also tripped when shutting off the AC. Could the breaker need replacing? How difficult is this to do?
I have a 2001 30TB with the Magnetek 6345 power center, one solar panel and the 400w inverter.
Hi Art. It's hard to tell when a GFCI trips from a ground fault, or an overload of current. In this case over 15 Amps. Even though the roof air conditioner is powered on a separate circuit, it is an inductive load, and can kick back a 'spike' into the power line, trip the GFCI, when turned off. A pretty similar situation can occur when the bus transfer relay switches to generator power, or back to shore power. So there might not be anything wrong with the GFCI at all. They aren't hard to change, and not that expensive, but unless the GFCI is shutting off at other times, Depending on what those other times are, it might just be protecting you. I would leave it alone. RonB
Thanks Ron for the reply. I think I will pick up a spare and carry it with me to alleviate any worry.
Hi Art. Looking through old posts about the "voltage dropping" thread, I noticed Ken Fears had problems with a GFCI. The problem was resolved by replacing the GFCI, that had suffered a bad connection. The breakers have spring clips that hook on to the 'hot' bus bar. If you do that, polish up the bus bar in that location. (power off/unplugged of course)
Electrical panel/GFCI (http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=29665.msg167794#msg167794)
RonB
In a related story. We had a few episodes of our 20 amp AC breaker tripping. Of course, it was hot and the breaker got hot. We temporarily solved it by opening the access door and pointing a fan at it. Checking the read on our EMS display I never saw the amps higher than 18 and that included the 3-5 amps of draw from other sources and on another circuit and most of the time I never saw it higher than 16 amps.
Yesterday I had the solar controller replaced at AM Solar the old HPV 22B went out and the Blue Sky SB3000i went in. The reason for that is another story. The night before that appointment I picked up a new breaker and decided to ask them if they could replace it and they did. That particular part of the work was the only thing I got to watch, in fact, I held a light for him. He had difficulty getting it re-connected and made a lot of adjustments at the connection on the bus bar before he finally got it back. He commented that it had been the most difficult one he had ever replaced. While I knew how to replace it, in theory, I'm not sure I would have been willing to fiddle with it like he did.
Jim