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GFI outlets not working unless connected to shore power

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  • GFI outlets not working unless connected to shore power

    Our GFI outlets suddenly stopped working unless we're on shore power. We have two lithium 100ah BB batteries and 300w solar. We are new to RVing and solar, but I know for a fact they've been working with just the power supplied by solar and our batteries are charged. We have a residential fridge. Power is still going to the fridge and TV. We have no hot outlets except those two. The lights are working as well. We've reset the GFI and flipped the breakers. What else can I try? What am I doing wrong?
    2017 F350 SRW long bed
    2022 Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R
    300 watt solar; 2 x 100ah BB batteries; GenY pin box with gooseneck coupler

  • #2
    kengquist The lights are 12v, but the outlets are 120v. Your solar would provide power to your 12v systems including the lights and charging your battery. In order for your outlets to work without being connected to shore power you'd need an inverter. If you've got the factory residential fridge, that includes one but I'm not sure what circuits are on it. I assume your fridge works fine?
    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    Neil Citro
    2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
    2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

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    • #3
      Could there be a second breaker panel fed by the inverter/batteries?
      John
      2018 Momentum 395M
      2018 Ram 3500 Dually
      Every day is a Saturday, but with no lawn to mow.

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      • #4
        Did you check the inverter to see if its turned on? Maybe the battery disconnect to it was shut off for some reason.
        Edit - Sorry missed the part about the TV and residential fridge being on.
        Last edited by 74barrio; 05-15-2022, 01:50 PM.
        Dan M.
        2022 Momentum 23G
        2019 F250 6.7L

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        • #5
          Originally posted by ncitro View Post
          kengquist The lights are 12v, but the outlets are 120v. Your solar would provide power to your 12v systems including the lights and charging your battery. In order for your outlets to work without being connected to shore power you'd need an inverter. If you've got the factory residential fridge, that includes one but I'm not sure what circuits are on it. I assume your fridge works fine?
          Yes, the fridge works fine. Is it possible to have a circuit/breaker with the inverter that would allow the fridge and TV to work but not the other outlets?
          2017 F350 SRW long bed
          2022 Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R
          300 watt solar; 2 x 100ah BB batteries; GenY pin box with gooseneck coupler

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by kengquist View Post

            Yes, the fridge works fine. Is it possible to have a circuit/breaker with the inverter that would allow the fridge and TV to work but not the other outlets?
            It depends how it's wired. As someone suggested, most likely is the output of the inverter goes to a sub panel that feeds the circuits that are run off the inverter. In there should be a breaker for the outlets that could be tripped, but then they should not work on shore power either. That is what's strange about your issue.

            Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

            Neil Citro
            2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
            2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

            Comment


            • #7
              You could start by figuring out which breaker controls the outlets in question, when on shore power. Then the question is . . . does the inverter also feed these outlets when shore power is removed? There would have to be some sort of auto transfer switch to accomplish this. The inverter feeds one end of the main panel breakers. The end one (or two?) should be fridge and TV. If another breaker is fed by the inverter, it would be adjacent to the fridge/TV breaker(s).

              Rob
              Cate & Rob
              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
              2015 Reflection 303RLS
              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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              • #8
                kengquist I also have the residential fridge and factory solar options. When you order the factory solar, it includes a larger inverter that also powers things besides the fridge, namely the entertainment center and many outlets thruout the trailer. Starting in the area where a generator would live, look up to the ceiling and you will see your inverter. There are likely two fuses on one end of the inverter. With everything OFF, and possibly batteries disconnected to make sure, you can check those fuses. It is possible that one side of the inverter overloaded at some point and popped the fuse. Also, up above on the ceiling should be a red key like the battery disconnect, this is the inverter shutoff. Make sure it is fully on, and the key won't detach. Our subpanel is in our convenience center, near the compass connect screen. It has three breakers in it. Looks pretty industrial. If everything works as normal when plugged into shorepower, then there is some sort of issue with the inverter, as the inverter has a transfer switch and is bypassed with shore power. Also, our remote switch to turn on the inverter is in our main basement pass thru. Light is green when on, amber when batteries are low, and off when inverter is off.

                Hope this helps

                Dave
                Dave and Darren Bakersfield, CA
                2019 GMC Denali dually 4x4 duramax, BW puck hitch, timbrens
                2015 Chevrolet 3500 CC duramax SB SRW (much loved; replaced with dually)
                2021 Solitude 390 RK-R (3 A/C, solar, gen, 8K axles DP glass), comfort ride shocks, VIN 03584
                Max and Riley, our chihuahua/jack russell furbabies

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