User Tag List

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Verona, KY
    Posts
    529
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    GD Solitude Keeps Tripping GFCI

    When parked up by the house, I plug the 5th wheel into the 15 amp circuit in the garage. Use adapter from 50 amp to 15 amp. Nothing in the Solitude is on other than the normal slight draw like sensors, etc. 15 amp GFCI keeps tripping. The prior Keystone Alpine never did this even with reefer and fans running. I could even run one A/C unit and no problem.

    So, I installed a new dedicated 20 amp circuit just for the Solitude. Yep, the Solitude keeps tripping the 20 amp GFCI.

    Any ideas why the Solitude is doing this when the Alpine didn't? Anything different/special about the wiring of a GD Solitude that could cause this?
    New: 2021 Solitude 380FL
    Prior: 2016 Alpine 3600RS
    Tow: 2017 F350 Diesel Dually

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor orbiker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Springfield, Oregon
    Posts
    2,328
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Captcolour View Post
    When parked up by the house, I plug the 5th wheel into the 15 amp circuit in the garage. Use adapter from 50 amp to 15 amp. Nothing in the Solitude is on other than the normal slight draw like sensors, etc. 15 amp GFCI keeps tripping. The prior Keystone Alpine never did this even with reefer and fans running. I could even run one A/C unit and no problem.

    So, I installed a new dedicated 20 amp circuit just for the Solitude. Yep, the Solitude keeps tripping the 20 amp GFCI.

    Any ideas why the Solitude is doing this when the Alpine didn't? Anything different/special about the wiring of a GD Solitude that could cause this?
    Get a GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester. Test the outlet you are plugged in on the house. Check the end of the cord with it plugged in.

    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....L._SL1500_.jpg
    Backpacker and tent camper all my life, including BSA as a kid and adult.
    Motorcycle trips across the USA with a tent - 1978 to Present.
    02-10-2005 - 2002 F350 SWD PSD and 2003 Citation 10'8S mostly for Crater Lake Ski Patrol.
    10-29-2015 - 2016 Grand Design 380TH. It's HUGE compared to a camper.
    10-19-2018 - traded truck for a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie CC 4 X 4 Long Box.
    03-16-2019 - Traded Momentum for a New 2018 374TH-R Solitude
    FULL TIME RV'er Nov 2021

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Verona, KY
    Posts
    529
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Orbiker, thanks but doubt that is it the GFCI outlet. You bring up a good point about testing at the end of the extension cord. Extension cord has been the same, so it might have some problems at the ends. I did buy a brand new 50' 12x2 just for this purpose, but turns out I need about 52'! I can probably make the 50' work with a little stretch, so may see if that fixes the problem. If so, then will find hopefully a 75' 12x2. Big box stores only have 50' and 100'. 100' is way too long.
    New: 2021 Solitude 380FL
    Prior: 2016 Alpine 3600RS
    Tow: 2017 F350 Diesel Dually

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor orbiker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Springfield, Oregon
    Posts
    2,328
    Mentioned
    17 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Maybe just don't use the gfci outlet to supply the power to the rv. I work on coin washers and dryers. The shop has gfci's and they are too sensitive at trip.
    Backpacker and tent camper all my life, including BSA as a kid and adult.
    Motorcycle trips across the USA with a tent - 1978 to Present.
    02-10-2005 - 2002 F350 SWD PSD and 2003 Citation 10'8S mostly for Crater Lake Ski Patrol.
    10-29-2015 - 2016 Grand Design 380TH. It's HUGE compared to a camper.
    10-19-2018 - traded truck for a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie CC 4 X 4 Long Box.
    03-16-2019 - Traded Momentum for a New 2018 374TH-R Solitude
    FULL TIME RV'er Nov 2021

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Verona, KY
    Posts
    529
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I tried the brand new 50' 12x2 extension and the GFCI tripped so not the extension cord. Ditched the GFCI and just installed a 20amp outlet. Everything is fine. No tripping of the breaker. Even turned one A/C on for awhile and no issues.
    New: 2021 Solitude 380FL
    Prior: 2016 Alpine 3600RS
    Tow: 2017 F350 Diesel Dually

  6. #6
    Rolling Along
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Posts
    509
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I had a similar problem on my trailer. Traced it down to the microwave. If that circuit was turned on, the house GFCI would trip. I did a little research and apparently this is not uncommon, and it does not automatically mean anything is wrong. Hooking an entire electrical subsystem, with its own panel and breakers, off of a GFCI house circuit sometimes freaks out the GFCI. The solution recommended is don't use a GFCI circuit, which seems to be right where you landed . I haven't gone that far in my case, I just don't turn the microwave circuit on when we're parked at home. We are mostly boondockers anyway so it's not really a big chore.
    Current: 2021 Transcend 261BH, 2019 Ford F250 SRW SWB CC 6.2 - Picture
    Previous: 2016 Jayco X213, 2014 F150 EB 3.5

  7. #7
    Long Hauler geotex1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    2,837
    Mentioned
    83 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Nope, sorry. You have a problem in the camper. The magic solution is not a standard outlet. The GFCI is tripping for a reason. Leak to ground, water heater element going bad, weak GFCI in the camper, or such. Throw every breaker in the unit off, plug into your house GFCI, and slowly, one-by-one, reset the breakers to isolate the circuit with an issue. On the other hand, if your house GFCI trips with all camper breakers off, post back and we’ll focus you.
    Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
    2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
    2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN

    Mountains of Pennsylvania

  8. #8
    Site Sponsor
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Verona, KY
    Posts
    529
    Mentioned
    6 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I will re-install the GFIC when we get back and I have time in July. Regular outlet worked for now to keep the battery charged and the fridge on until we left this morning. GFCI would trip with nothing on in the unit except the normal battery bleed items. So not water heater or anything else like that. Will try the breaker idea to see if I can isolate something.
    New: 2021 Solitude 380FL
    Prior: 2016 Alpine 3600RS
    Tow: 2017 F350 Diesel Dually

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.