Quote:
Originally Posted by edepp
Definitely. I ended up buying another 50 amp to 15 amp in the event that the one we had was bad, but it wasn't. So now we have a backup. We also tried a heavier extension cord (10/3). I'm hopeful that if we just turn off the circuit to the GFCI to our bathroom, that will fix our issue. Fingers crossed!
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Other's mentioned that their pigtails had a "short", and that is what caused the GFI to trip. That, alone (a short) wont cause the GFI to trip. That's not how they work. A short should have caused the main service pole (box) to trip a fuse or CB. GFCI protect ONLY for current "leaks". Simply put, it measures current coming to the GFI and current going back directly to the utility. If the EXACT current being 'consumed/used' does not match the current being 'returned to the utility', the GFI know that current, no mater how minuscule, perhaps as small as 4 or 4 milliamps.... is being leaked to ground by another pathway. =BAD! and then it trips. Again, they do not act as circuit breakers, and do not 'trip' for 'shorts'.
In a Keystone, (at least) the bathroom GFI generally may have outlets wired "downstream". These should be connected to the "LOAD" side of the GFI (vs. line) You may consider finding those downstream "loads", ... usually an outdoor accessible or basement accessible outlet. Even though those downstream outlets are NOT generally GFI" outlets, the upstream outlet (bathroom if GFI) protects them from uneven loads (GFI 'leaks'), too.
In the past (HA!) both my bathroom was bad AND a downstream load (outlet) was 'leaking' current. To trouble shoot, rather than simply buy parts (that you may not need),
1). get a plug-in circuit tester with the GFI test function for your toolbox(s). (<$10). It will show any 120VAC outlet (home or camper) for proper wiring..... for example, neutral and line being reversed is soooooo common (and deadly). You can check the campground's 120VAC outlet at their power stand as well.
This will assist you in testing which are loads to the the bathroom outlet, as well as testing one function of the bath GFI as well.
2) find
all downstream "loads" and pull those apart looking for spiders, failed water seals, and stuff that could cause a current 'leak'.
3) Check your bath GFI for proper wiring/polarity. Line-in/load/"hot"/neutral/ground. Then simply "trip" your bath's GFI (vs. tripping the entire bath circuit (which may in fact be electrically the same? -Depends on your specific camper, etc... .). but the point is to begin a process of elimination to find who's GFI is possibly bad (the campground's our yours), or where the leak to ground is occurring.
Good luck and please report back.