Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: House electrical problem (Read 906 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

House electrical problem

Yahoo Message Number: 66630
I was without power to my outlets for over a day while trying to find a solution. I replaced the GFI plug in the bedroom because I couldn't get it to reset (I didn't know if the plug was bad, or there was not power to it). I also pulled out every outlet in the coach and checked the wires and connections, paying close attention to the grounds. I thought I was finished when Martha reminded me that there was an outlet in an outside bay. That outlet plug was burned and the plastic had holes melted in it. I don't use it often, but I will check the replacement much more often. I now have power in the 15 amp outlets, as long as I don't use the microwave. I can run a coffee maker without blowing the GFI plug, but can not plug in the microwave (even without actually using it to heat or cook something). I am able to run the electric coffee pot from the microwave plug, but when Martha plugged in the vacuum cleaner in the microwave outlet, the vacuum cleaner ran, but the GFI for the 15 amp outlets blew. The vacuum cleaner kept running. I was able to reset the GFI outlet when the vacuum cleaner was cut off.
Why would the GFI plug blow, yet the vacuum keep running? The GFI must receive a surge from the other circuit, but the other circuit loses power only for an instant because the vacuum and coffee pot keep running. (I suspect the vacuum cuts off for a split second during the brief power interruption, then resumes when the power come back on where as the electronics in the microwave stop the clock). Does this make sense?
Why does the microwave make both of the circuits cut off (the clock on the microwave will stop, showing that the microwave had a power interruption) yet, it will run fine when plugged into a separate electric cord run outside the coach to a 15 amp outlet on the electrical posts?
Martha tells me the GFI outlet hums loudly. (I can't hear it due to a period of time in the army some 45 years ago.) I feel certain that indicates a serious problem somewhere.
I am plugged into 50 amps ( and tried another 50 amp outlet) and everything runs off the generator.
I have 123 volts going into and coming out of the inverter.
I have 123 volts going into the GFI and in the outlets (when the GFI is operating).

What am I missing? What else should I check?

Gene Merryman

2000 Allure #30496

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66634

Gene: I know this sounds funny but check the small board in the transfer switch. My coach had most of your characteristics. Before I replaced the whole switch I was told to try the little board $35.00 that was the problem. Something about time delay in changing from shore power to the generator, and back. Barrie Boas 94 Concept 5111

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66636
Gene

Also check the circuit breakers ON the inverter. I had a similar problem where all of my outlets were dead except the microwave and the fridge and one of the two breakers was tripped.

Larry, 03 Allure 30856

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66648
Gene,

GFI's trip and eventually trip enough to wear out if there is a difference between the load to the neutral and ground wire. Basically it picks up on a short to the ground. Perhaps somewhere in your coach, your ground is is picking up a very small short from the positive side. The usual suspects are anything with an electric motor grounding out with age. Our coaches have a few motors in them.
I have had to replace GFI'S in my house after a series of faults because the just wear out faster than normal breakers. Never had your problem in a motorhome where the ground in the chassis unless plugged into shore power.

Dallas 2004 intrigue c12 11688

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66649
Hey Gene, I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems. If the 2000 Allure circuitry is anything like the 2002 Intrigue, the microwave outlet is on a separate circuit from the GFI outlet. Since running the vacuum cleaner on the microwave circuit causes the GFI to pop, I would look for a loose ground or loose neutral somewhere. Just a thought! Steve B

2002 Intrigue

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66655
One other thing to check for. Our CC Prevost had a problem the other year that I thought was a bad ground fault. When changing it I still had no power. What it eventually was the main circuit box neutral bus bar in the panel that feeds power from the inverter to the coach wiring. We have 2 inverters and each has a 4 circuit box output leading to the inverter circuits in the bus. When you walked in the coach it would cut in and out and that is how we finally determined where to look. Coach built in 1998 and a bus ground screw was never tightened on the wire. For years never a problem then one day the wire apparantly moved away from the screw. Tightened all the screws, only one was loose enough to cause the problem.

Bill n Barb, Poconos of Pa 1998 CC Prevost 40'XL

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66657
Hi Gene,

I had a similar problem and it was in one of the small surge protectors that was in the circuit. I had one on the microwave and another on the front TV. If you have them in your coach unplug them and smell them for a burned odor. If the board is burned inside the protector you will have the symptoms you describe. Good luck

Lonny

Affinity 6641

Re: House electrical problem

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66685
Great Tip Lonnie! I had the same thing happen on my old first Allegro Gas Motorhome,I remember the burnt smell. Ken 99 Allure 30356