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Post by sanchin on Apr 9, 2018 23:11:22 GMT -5
Hello, I have a 09 Spree 240BHS.
There is a 110v power socket (with circuit interrupter) outside my house. I used to plug in with my previous Jayco Hybrid Trailer to this socket without problem.
However, every time I plugged the 240BHS to this socket, the interrupter will break the circuit. I replaced a brand new 15A socket (with circuit interrupter) and it's still the same. When I plugged in my trailer to other sockets in the garage (without interrupter) then it has no problem.
What's wrong with it? Any idea? Thanks.
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Post by nvguy on Apr 9, 2018 23:42:41 GMT -5
You have a ground fault (more to it than this, but the short answer is interconnection between neutral & ground). Most common is the water heater element has failed or is failing.
How to find the issue?
Turn off all the breakers in the coach, then plug it into your shore power. The GFI should not trip. If it does the problem lies between the end of the cord and the breaker panel in the coach (has the end of the cord been replaced? Is the cord in good condition?). If it doesn't trip start turning breakers on one at a time until the GFI trips. That is the circuit that has the ground fault.
The most difficult one I ever had to find & fix was because the manufacturer put a staple into a piece of romex, thereby connecting the neutral & ground.
If you are not comfortable with electricity, find someone (either RV tech or electrician) who understands RV electrical, as things are done a bit differently in an RV.
Good Luck.
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 10, 2018 8:20:37 GMT -5
Good advice from nvguy. If there is a problem with the wiring, you can get a hot skin condition where touching metal on the RV while standing on the ground can give a dangerous shock. Till you get to the bottom of this, place a rubber mat at the door, don't touch the RV until tested for voltage to ground, and be careful.
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Post by sanchin on Apr 10, 2018 12:47:58 GMT -5
Thank you for the advise, but it sounds very complicated. I am surprised because I plugged in with a normal socket (no GFI) in my garage and it works well.
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Post by nvguy on Apr 10, 2018 23:23:12 GMT -5
A standard outlet doesn't "care" if there is a ground fault, a GFI does. Lynnmor brings up a valid point, you need to be careful here, you could very well get a shock from the exterior of your coach. This shock could range from a mild tingle to a life ending one. Please get this attended to ASAP.
The good news is out of 10 or so of these I came across, 9 were water heater element issues, so start there.
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Post by sanchin on Apr 11, 2018 19:14:00 GMT -5
A standard outlet doesn't "care" if there is a ground fault, a GFI does. Lynnmor brings up a valid point, you need to be careful here, you could very well get a shock from the exterior of your coach. This shock could range from a mild tingle to a life ending one. Please get this attended to ASAP. The good news is out of 10 or so of these I came across, 9 were water heater element issues, so start there. Oh yeah, the previous owner said he replaced the water bump. I guess he did it by himself. It could be possible that he did something wrong. What should I check? |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 11, 2018 20:05:36 GMT -5
Oh yeah, the previous owner said he replaced the water bump. I guess he did it by himself. It could be possible that he did something wrong. What should I check? The water pump is 12 volt and should have nothing to do with your problem. Did you do the breakers one at a time like nvguy suggested? |
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Post by Edd505 on Apr 12, 2018 7:40:50 GMT -5
A 15amp GFI is pretty small, and you went from a hybrid to a the 240BHS. Is it possible the new trailer is pulling more amps than the old one? GFI's are available in 15, 20 & 30 amp. What cord are you using to connect the trailer to the power? The trailer has 30 or 50 amp service so is the cord large enough? and wired correctly? Whats on inside when you plug in? Excessive draw will trip the GFI.
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Post by Chuck on Apr 12, 2018 12:51:29 GMT -5
I thinking that there is a 15amp GFI being used when a 30amp GFI is needed  Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 12, 2018 18:16:45 GMT -5
Oh yeah, the previous owner said he replaced the water bump. I guess he did it by himself. It could be possible that he did something wrong. What should I check? The water pump is 12 volt and should have nothing to do with your problem. Did you do the breakers one at a time like nvguy suggested? I tested it today. With all breakers off and turn on one at a time, no problem. The GFI socket in my house only tripped when the following turned on in combo: 1) the main 30A and Water Heater/Converter 20A (Pic1) 2) the main 30A and GFI 15A (Pic2) So, what's next? Also, this is probably stupid to ask (please see Pic3), would that be a problem if my rear frame guard touching the ground? Would this kinda grounded my whole trailer and any affect in this case? |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 12, 2018 18:22:59 GMT -5
Good advice from nvguy. If there is a problem with the wiring, you can get a hot skin condition where touching metal on the RV while standing on the ground can give a dangerous shock. Till you get to the bottom of this, place a rubber mat at the door, don't touch the RV until tested for voltage to ground, and be careful. It starts to make me feel nervous... haha~ How to test the voltage to ground? I surely don't want anyone get hot skin when touching the RV body for any reason. Thanks. |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 12, 2018 18:37:14 GMT -5
A 15amp GFI is pretty small, and you went from a hybrid to a the 240BHS. Is it possible the new trailer is pulling more amps than the old one? GFI's are available in 15, 20 & 30 amp. What cord are you using to connect the trailer to the power? The trailer has 30 or 50 amp service so is the cord large enough? and wired correctly? Whats on inside when you plug in? Excessive draw will trip the GFI. Thank you for your suggestion. The cord that I used to connect the trailer and the power, is the same one that I used for the hybrid trailer. The hybrid trailer is also 30amp. I can't really see the letter from the cord, it should be 3x12AWG 300V... etc. My house GFI is 15amp, and as I said no problem when connected with the previous Jayco 30amp trailer. I could get 20amp GFI from Homedepot but couldn't find 30amp one. Also, the house breaker which connect to the outside GFI socket is just 15A, would that be a problem if I upgrade the GFI socket to 20 or 30a. It kinda doesn't make sense. Correct me if I am wrong. The garage socket without GFI should be also 15a, but there is no problem after connected. The household breaker didn't trip. Attachments:
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Post by sanchin on Apr 12, 2018 18:45:51 GMT -5
I thinking that there is a 15amp GFI being used when a 30amp GFI is needed Safe Travels Chuck I only can find 15amp and 20amp. Even I searched on internet, couldn't find there is a 30amp GFI socket. Any idea where to get one? Thanks. |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 12, 2018 19:55:03 GMT -5
That frame guard in not a problem.
Now if the water heater has an electric heating element, it should not be on the same breaker as the converter. Please report back and tell us if it has a electric heating element. If you are not sure, post the brand and the model number. If it is a gas only model, there is very little load on the breaker and should not be a problem.
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Post by sanchin on Apr 12, 2018 22:00:07 GMT -5
That frame guard in not a problem. Now if the water heater has an electric heating element, it should not be on the same breaker as the converter. Please report back and tell us if it has a electric heating element. If you are not sure, post the brand and the model number. If it is a gas only model, there is very little load on the breaker and should not be a problem. Thanks. I have 2009 KZ Spree 240BHS. I think the water heater is ran by gas. How can I make sure? And where should I look for? |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 13, 2018 8:46:25 GMT -5
Remove the water heater cover, report back with the brand and model number of the water heater.
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Post by sanchin on Apr 13, 2018 17:52:07 GMT -5
Remove the water heater cover, report back with the brand and model number of the water heater. Is this the one? I think the Model is SW6 DE by Suburban. 12000BTU. |
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Post by nvguy on Apr 13, 2018 23:01:43 GMT -5
OK, you do have a gas / electric water heater. Disconnect the coach from shore power. Then, looking at the outside of the water heater, in the lover left corner you will see a small rocker switch. Flip the switch to the opposite position from where you found it (I don't remember which way is on- off, so I am going to assume it is in the "on" position). Reconnect the coach to shore power, turn on the breaker and see if the GFI trips again. If the GFI doesn't trip, most likely you need a heater element. If it does trip, time to start digging into the wiring, starting by disconnecting the 110V from the water heater and see if the GFI still trips.  The Black cover to the right of the switch is where the electrical element is. I re read you post about the breakers. If I am understanding what you wrote you turned on the Main and the water heater/ converter breaker the house GFI tripped, then you turned the water heater /converter breaker off, reset the GFI then turned on the Main and GFI 15A breaker and the house GFI tripped again? If so, there are multiple issues beyond the water heater / converter circuit. |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 14, 2018 3:44:04 GMT -5
OK, you do have a gas / electric water heater. Disconnect the coach from shore power. Then, looking at the outside of the water heater, in the lover left corner you will see a small rocker switch. Flip the switch to the opposite position from where you found it (I don't remember which way is on- off, so I am going to assume it is in the "on" position). Reconnect the coach to shore power, turn on the breaker and see if the GFI trips again. If the GFI doesn't trip, most likely you need a heater element. If it does trip, time to start digging into the wiring, starting by disconnecting the 110V from the water heater and see if the GFI still trips. The Black cover to the right of the switch is where the electrical element is. I re read you post about the breakers. If I am understanding what you wrote you turned on the Main and the water heater/ converter breaker the house GFI tripped, then you turned the water heater /converter breaker off, reset the GFI then turned on the Main and GFI 15A breaker and the house GFI tripped again? If so, there are multiple issues beyond the water heater / converter circuit. Correct! The 30a and water heater tripped. And, the 30a and GFI tripped as well. I pressed the switch that you mentioned about, it feel a little bit stiff. Anyway, I will test tomorrow and report. Thank you so much. |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 14, 2018 7:42:40 GMT -5
The heating element is behind the plastic cover, a special socket and elements are available at hardware and hone centers. It takes a 1400 to 1500 watt, 120 volt element. That plug at the bottom is an anode rod, remove it, flush the tank and replace the anode if worn. Never turn on power to a water heater till the tank is full as witnessed by opening a faucet and running water till all air is expelled, do this every time water supply has been disturbed.
Since the water heater and the converter are on the same 20 amp breaker, that could cause the tripping in one of your breaker tests. I would add breakers, again available at home centers, and give the converter and water heater their own circuits. A double breaker is available and that will give you a spare for future expansion. The 15 amp gfi test you did, still might be a water heater issue depending on how the element faulted. Rerun your breaker test as before after checking the water heater element and separating the converter to its own circuit.
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