Inverter outlet not working

[ajohnston]

We have an inverter outlet in our kitchen area of our 2022 Passport 252RDWE (200 amp solar). We do not have an inverter connected, but until recently this plug worked when we were connected to power. Recently both this outlet and the one in our bathroom have failed? I have checked all the fuses and breakers and everything seems to be in order. Any suggestions on what we might do to check this out further?

[drrelli]

If you are comfortable working with electrical system, try this (otherwise, get help!): This assumes you have a GFCI outlet in the bathroom that is the first outlet in a chain of outlets. First, with shore power connected, try to reset the GFCI. That could be your issue (but if it keeps tripping, you’ll need to sort that out).

If the GFCI outlet isn’t resetting, unplug your rig from shore power. Starting with the GFCI outlet, unscrew the outlet and check the press-fit connections. These ‘self-contained’ outlets are connected by pressing the wires into a knife-like notch that cuts into the insulation. They can shake loose. You may need to improvise a tool to press it in, but don’t cut any more insulation with something sharp. If you found loose wires, you can put it all back together and plug in and test. If it doesn’t work, you’ll need further troubleshooting upstream.

Be safe and don’t try anything you aren’t comfortable doing.

[flyingjack]

2022 HC 295RL 200 solar with no invertor: same issue, invertor outlets dead. GFCI located on back wall of basement storage space. We just overloaded it: ACs and hair dryer.

[workinonit]

A GFI is not an overload protective device. It's purpose is to sense an imbalanced current flow between the hot and neutral. If you think you overloaded the circuit you need to check the circuit breaker for the circuit in question.

[flyingjack]

workinonit; don't know if we overloaded. Never been an electrical guy and never will. I'm 72 and in my case brain capacity is about maxed. All I know is outlets didn't work and reset GFCI in basement and then they worked. We did have to replace 15 amp fuse twice for one of the awnings. Again, don't know why; but, I think it's when I tried retracting both awnings at the same time as my time (retired) is so valuable.

[workinonit]

Understand. I really don't like putting permanent motorized devices on a GFI. Some motors can cause spike imbalances in the hot and neutral. My bathroom GFI load side had my fridge on it and it was popping the GFI. I rewired it so the load side of the GFI is straight inverter power now. I was poking around under the dining room slide and found the wire coming from the fridge to the receptacles in that slide had been badly pinched and the recepts didn't work. Turns out that was my issue the entire time.

[sojourner42]

My 2022 Passport 221 with 400i solar has a similar issue. GFCI was not able to reset. The receptacle was replaced at the dealer but that turned out not to be the issue. That circuit is OK ONLY when the inverter is on and the solar panels are on-line. If either is off, then then circuit will still be energized for awhile but the 3-light tester indicates a ground-hot reverse. I have doubts it's actually reversed (no electrocutions or tripped breakers) and more likely an open neutral in the circuit. Was my rig wired incorrectly? If it was a broken wire I don't see how it could be a properly wired circuit only when the inverter and panel are on. I'm no electrician but trying to get informed before taking it to one. Thanks

[JnRBick987]

Is there an outlet in an outdoor storage compartment? If you have one, odds are that it just needs to be reset. Our trailer, though different than yours, saw similar strange outlet activity, reset the outlet in the outside storage and instantly fixed the issue

[sojourner42]

There's only one GFCI reset outlet and it's in the bathroom. It will trip and reset properly when tested but only if the inverter and solar panels are on-line. It will stay energized (at least for awhile) if I switch off the inverter or panels but the tester shows incorrect wiring.

[JRTJH]

Mike,

Do you have an EMS ??? It sure sounds like the neutral/hot lines are reversed either on the trailer or on the campground/grid power outlet. Does this happen at every plugin? or just at home ???

"No electrocutions yet" might mean there's no problem and just multiple "bad" GFI's or it could mean that the "right" (really the WRONG) conditions just haven't all lined up yet.....

"No tripped breakers" doesn't mean much. Circuit breakers don't care which direction 120VAC enters/exits a breaker. The direction changes 60 times a second, heading from the hot, then back to the hot. So the breakers only "detect and trip" when there's excessive amperage, not excessive "neutral to hot, neutral to ground or hot to either neutral or ground"....

[sojourner42]

I don't know what an EMS is. I get the same results whenever I'm on shore power; doesn't matter where. Off grid with the inverter and panels on everything seems perfect.

[sojourner42]

Yes, the rig came with an Energy Management System.

[rjmac]

First recommendation, if you are checking electric, get a NonContact voltage tester. This allows you to test a wire, plug, outlet without touching the wire. They are cheap. Harbor Freight sells them for $5.
2nd recommendation, follow the path of the wiring and check with noncontact tester. Start at the breaker box. Follow path of wire, guess where it goes. Since this is kitchen outlet, it should have GFCI outlet on the circuit and it should be the first outlet on the circuit. You can test by pulling it out (Turn power off while pulling it out, then turn back on to test. Turn off before reinstalling outlet.)of its box so you can see wires. Hit the test button. With your tester you should find one hot wire. Reset, you should see at least one maybe two more hot wires. If not, replace it.
3rd, using tester check to see if you have power at the outlet. Could be it is worn and needs to be replaced.
Most importantly, stay safe. Remember electricity can kill.