Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: prfleming on April 30, 2016, 11:06:28 pm

Title: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: prfleming on April 30, 2016, 11:06:28 pm
With all the recent discussion on GFI outlets, yes, there are some campgrounds where the only power available is a 20A GFI pedestal, sometimes when the updated 30A and 50A sites are all booked up.

This is where keeping your old battery charger comes in handy. I originally had the Progressive Dynamics PD9280 80 amp charger. I left it installed when I added my new combination inverter/charger.

When camping where the only power available is a 20A GFI outlet and connecting the coach trips the GFI, a trick I use to defeat the GFI is to directly connect the PD9280 using a HD (20A) extension cord, and then turn on the new inverter for 120V coach power.

When occasionally drawing high power, say to run the hair dryer, microwave or make coffee or toast, the PD9280 will max out at its rated output of 80 amps, the 20A GFI outlet doesn't trip, the batteries temporarily handle the excess demand, and the PD9280 will catch up again after the load is done.  This setup of course won't run the ACs, but works fine for normal daily electrical usage.
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on April 30, 2016, 11:49:56 pm
Clever use of existing equipment!  You are kinda ending up with the same result as you would get when utilizing one of those high-dollar Magnum Hybrid inverters.  The "weak" shore source is augmented by the batteries to achieve the desired level of power, without tripping the breaker.  COOL!  ^.^d
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: John S on May 01, 2016, 06:16:18 am
I just use a regular battery charger attached to the house barberries and live on the inverter especially on a 15 amp outlet. It keeps the batteries charged up if I am careful and no need to run the generator.
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: krush on May 04, 2016, 10:54:47 pm
If you are tripping the GFCI, you have a problem with the wiring in your RV. I'd recommend fixing it instead of working around it.
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: prfleming on May 05, 2016, 08:11:32 am
If you are tripping the GFCI, you have a problem with the wiring in your RV. I'd recommend fixing it instead of working around it.
In an older coach the transfer relay winding, AC fan and compressor windings, water heater and fridge heater elements can develop small insulation leaks to ground. To fix would require replacing those items, you would have to essentially re-build the coach electrical system with new components. The GFCI outlets within the coach will still provide protection on the circuits they provide power to.
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: turbojack on May 05, 2016, 09:29:18 am
If you are tripping the GFCI, you have a problem with the wiring in your RV. I'd recommend fixing it instead of working around it.

+2

My son had a trailer do that when it was new. I told him we needed to get fixed. First thing we did was open the panel and found the ground wire attached to the neutral. Once we separated them, problem was fixed.  I have seen this problem more then once.
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: krush on May 05, 2016, 09:40:53 am
The GFCI outlets within the coach will still provide protection on the circuits they provide power to.

Unlike a house, the RV sits on rubber tires. You could have a mild ground fault, or you could have a large one. Have you measured it?

Also, I've encountered many 30amp power pedestals that also have GFCI on them. Are you tripping those as well?
Title: Re: How to use a 20A GFI only pedestal
Post by: prfleming on May 05, 2016, 09:57:45 am
Unlike a house, the RV sits on rubber tires. You could have a mild ground fault, or you could have a large one. Have you measured it?
That would be interesting, I'll take some resistance readings with all power disconnected and start with all breakers off.