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GFI outlet

I've been unable to locate a GFI circuit in our coach, so I want to replace an outlet with one. Which outlet is normally used? Bathroom? One of the kitchen ones on either side of the sink? Wet bay? Outside curb side? All of those ought to be protected, but I don't know which one is the first one in the string. I'm assuming that they are all on the same circuit, but haven't verified that yet. That will be tomorrow afternoon's project.

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #1 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
I've been unable to locate a GFI circuit in our coach, so I want to replace an outlet with one. Which outlet is normally used? Bathroom?
David, the bathroom outlet in our coach (above counter, in the corner) is GFI - I assume original from the factory.  Your coach is only 12 build numbers from ours...I would think yours would also have GFI in the bathroom.  Unless removed by a prior owner...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #2 –
The bathroom outlet should be a GFCI outlet for safety reasons unless the circuit breaker was changed to a GFCI breaker.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #3 –
Thanks. I was thinking that the bathroom outlet should be the GFI outlet that protects all the rest, but I didn't want to trust my memory. Next time I'm in town I'll get a GFI outlet and switch it back. I suspect that a PO removed it for some reason and replaced it with a regular outlet.

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #4 –
Often RV outlets do not have the standard mounting box that is needed to install a GFCI outlet, so be aware you may have to do unexpected work.  GFCI outlets have a nice safety feature, but can also be a problem if some device is non-compliant.  I don't think there is a problem if you have more than one GFCI on a circuit, so you could install one at each water hazard area.  Or you could swap out at the breaker panel and install a GFCI circuit breaker that would protect the whole circuit from the source.

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #5 –
@David,

Our 92' has a GFCI in the bathroom. All pluggable circuits north of there except the microwave & fridge are daisy chained off of it. Even my exterior outlet is on that circuit. I'll bet a PO changed yours out for a standard outlet. If that's the case you should be able fit a GFCI in there without a problem.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #6 –
David, our coach has a gfci outlet in the bathroom and it is installed in a conventional outlet box.  If yours was originally installed with a gfci then replacing the current outlet with the gfci should be straight forward.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #7 –
It is a little harder to find 20A GFCI's (good hardware stores will have them, not sure about the big box stores), but that is what is in our coach. Considering the number of outlets protected by the bathroom GFCI, I think it would be prudent to use a 20A GFCI.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #8 –
There are many stories of new coach owners (ourselves included) who have encountered a mysterious loss of power somewhere in the coach.  After much head scratching and uttering of bad words, someone on the Forum will suggest "Check the GFCI in the bathroom".  So you go in there, see the little "tell-tail" light that you hadn't noticed before, push the button back in, and everything starts working again.  The NEXT time it happens, that will be the first item you check!  :facepalm:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #9 –
You may also find that the outlet was replaced because it kept tripping and the PO could not figure out why.  The cause should be found and fixed if that is the case.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #10 –
Thanks, all. Plans for today (after church and lunch) are for a nap, then check the breaker box to see what breaker is on that circuit, then trip to Lowe's for outlet and tools needed for our next project. Yes, if the new outlet keeps tripping I'll have to spend some time figuring out why. Assuming that the ice maker was on that circuit, and it never did work (according to the PO, who knew the original owners), maybe that was the problem. The ice maker is now gone, so maybe all will be fine. We'll see.

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #11 –
Dave, after your nap, check your wiring diagram.  In ours the GFCI outlet only powers the outlets in the hutch base and the dinette base.  The ice maker is on a different circuit. I attached my inverter powered 110v wiring diagram for refer nce. Yours may be different.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: GFI outlet

Reply #12 –
Finally got the GFI outlet stuck in the little box. It doesn't completely fit, but nearly all of it is in there. I think the problem is that the box is a standard size box, the outlet is somewhat bigger than a normal outlet, and there is a bit of "extra" ground wire in there. One of these days I'll take it all out again and shorten the ground wires a bit. That might provide enough room for the faceplate to sit flush with the wall. Of course, it would have helped if the box was even a quarter inch wider or deeper.