GFI problem--Solved!

[ElementCamper]

Hi all! Had an old post here about bringing home my new T@B camper regarding the GFI tripped when plugged in to a regular outlet, here's a quote:

Exploring the first mystery problem, hopefully won't find any more. The power cord is a 30 amp with the two diagonal blades, not a normal 20 amp 110 plug. Had to run to Camping World and get an adapter, no problem there as they sell multiple ones. Got home, plugged the adapter into the shore power cord and then plugged into the garage, the GFI immediately trips!

Finally found the problem, the inlet plug to the camper wired completely wrong!
I had bought a circuit tester this weekend at Harbor Freight, plugged into any of the outlets on the T@B get a yellow and red light indicating reversed Hot/Neutral. Hmmm, all the wiring inside was fine, decided to take the inlet plug apart where the power cord plugs into the camper.

The black or hot wire was on the ground or green connector, the White was on the Ground and the ground was where the black wire should go! Someone was asleep at the T@B factory that day.
No wonder the GFI tripped. One of my electrician friends indicated this could have resulted in a hot ground where you touch the frame or any ground on the trailer and be standing on wet ground, ZAP! Electrocution if not a very nasty shock!

Reconnected it like it should be, black wire to the black screw, white wire to the silver and green to the green or ground screw, plugged it in and all is happy now, two correct yellow lights on the tester. I can't see how they could have done this as the holes in the plug are clearly marked, the white wire goes in the white hole, green in the green, black in the black. Glad I found this before the next trip in a couple of weeks.
Just posted this as an update as Lil Lisa, clkelley and a few others had offered up some opinions on this. Now on to the next project and upcoming two week trip to the Fort in September.

 

[des1954]

So if I understand correctly, the problem wasn't with the GFI, as it tripped just as it was designed to do?

Seriously - I'm glad you were able to figure out the problem. Electrical issues can be annoying if not down right dangerous!

Good for you!

 

[Gatordad]

Well ya got me confused, but glad it is fixed.... reminds me of a song.

There once was a musical troupe
A pickin' singin' folk group
They sang the mountain ballads
And the folk songs of our land

They were long on musical ability
Folks thought they would go far
But political incompatibility led to their downfall

Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear was a Methodist

 

[ElementCamper]

Nope, no GFI problem but a wiring problem within the trailer. Since I had bypassed the GFI by running an extension cord to a NON GFI outlet just to get power when at the house, I was in real danger of getting a shock with it wired like that. Basically to make it simpler for you, the Black or HOT wire was connected to the ground of the trailer potentially making the entire trailer grounds and frame LIVE with 120 volts. If either of the other wires became loose or disconnected (the white or the real ground), would have been a really bad situation for sure.

Not a good thing if you contact one of these now hot or electrified surfaces and another ground (like maybe...the ground)! Like kneeling down to check under the trailer and putting your hand on the frame with the ground being wet.

$3.49 circuit tester may have just saved my life.

 

[ntsammy5]

Reminds me of this

 

[clkelley]

That's great Randy!! Glad you got it fixed.

That is weird. Did the T@B work when you were plugged into campground power??

 

[ElementCamper]

That's great Randy!! Glad you got it fixed.

That is weird. Did the T@B work when you were plugged into campground power??

Works fine plugged in at a campground, only tripped the garage GFI before I fixed it. Makes me wonder how effective campgrounds equipped with GFI are or even if they hook them up to the 30 amp plug. Didn't trip at Fort Wilderness or Mountain Stream when I went to the T@B rally.

 

[mnsprk]

Works fine plugged in at a campground, only tripped the garage GFI before I fixed it. Makes me wonder how effective campgrounds equipped with GFI are or even if they hook them up to the 30 amp plug. Didn't trip at Fort Wilderness or Mountain Stream when I went to the T@B rally.

The biggest majority of 30 amp outlets are not GFI protected. I personally haven't seen any in all the years we've been camping

 

[ElementCamper]

The biggest majority of 30 amp outlets are not GFI protected. I personally haven't seen any in all the years we've been camping

That explains it, thanks! I bet if I had used the adapter at a campground to plug into the 20 amp sockets, POW! I can now take the T@B out this weekend with assurance there is no longer an electrocution hazard!