RV trailer electrical issues

[ashman]

I have a 2004 californiaTahoe rv trailer that just started having electrical issues. It uses a 30amp plug, but I was using an adapter to plug it into a regular 20amp outlet just to keep the batteries charged. A couple of days ago it started tripping my GFI plug. At first I thought it was the adapter because plugging it into the 30amp plug on my generator doesn't cause any problems, but then I realized that plug doesn't have GFI protection on it.


With some experimentation I was able to narrow it down to the breaker labeled "general" Something on that circuit is causing my GFI issues. With it turned off, no GFI tripping. The only things I've been able to confirm that are on that circuit are the slide out motor and my propane alarm.

If I'm plugged into a 30amp outlet everything seems to work fine, but obviously I have an issue somewhere. I'd like to find a schematic for the trailer online if anyone knows where to look.

Also, anybody have any suggestions on how to track it down? I've never had a GFI problem that didn't also trip the breaker, meaning there was a pretty obvious short somewhere.

 

[Bent77]

I have a 2004 californiaTahoe rv trailer that just started having electrical issues. It uses a 30amp plug, but I was using an adapter to plug it into a regular 20amp outlet just to keep the batteries charged. A couple of days ago it started tripping my GFI plug. At first I thought it was the adapter because plugging it into the 30amp plug on my generator doesn't cause any problems, but then I realized that plug doesn't have GFI protection on it.

View attachment 246171
With some experimentation I was able to narrow it down to the breaker labeled "general" Something on that circuit is causing my GFI issues. With it turned off, no GFI tripping. The only things I've been able to confirm that are on that circuit are the slide out motor and my propane alarm.

If I'm plugged into a 30amp outlet everything seems to work fine, but obviously I have an issue somewhere. I'd like to find a schematic for the trailer online if anyone knows where to look.

Also, anybody have any suggestions on how to track it down? I've never had a GFI problem that didn't also trip the breaker, meaning there was a pretty obvious short somewhere.

Without a diagram, the easiest way is to load ( amp draw) test each item on there or unhook one of them and see if it still trips it.
My dads motor home was doing that once on the electric motor to drop the steps. Wasn't returning all the way so the motor was still pulling amperage

 

[ashman]

It wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be the slide motor. I blew a tire a few months ago and it kinda tore up a few things under there. If it ever stops raining around here I'll see if I can crawl under there and disconnect it and see what happens.

I'd still like a diagram though so I can see what else is on that circuit.

 

[Bent77]

Might have damaged the wiring. Even getting smooshed could cause that

have you tried to google fu the model for the diagram?

 

[ashman]

yeah, a bit, but not having much luck. I did find some paperwork showing where it was bought originally so I'm going to try to contact their service department Monday and see if they have anything.

 

[ktmoutfront]

The converter for the 12v system/charger for the battery is on that circuit also. I have seen them doing this when going bad. Unhook the battery and try it again.

 

[ashman]

I had the thought that maybe one or both of the batteries were bad, but I did as you suggested and it still tripped with both batteries disconnected.

 

[Bent77]

Well, rinse and repeat for everything in the circuit. If you have all the loads connected and it still does it, its the wiring