GFI trips

JPGator

JPGator

Active Member
Apr 25, 2019
495
Treasure Coast
Boat Info
2008 Sundancer 40
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9 425HO
'08 40.
The starboard side GFI keeps tripping and won't reset. When connected to shore power is the GFI is reset the 50amp shore power breaker trips.

Can anyone think of why? Could the vacuum be causing problems? Port side GFI works as do the outlets.

All new shore cables as well.
 
Couple things,

gfci can just go bad, where they trip like you describe

if the power is off, the gfci will not reset

if something is bad on the load side, it will keep tripping, so turn the power off, pull the gfci out, disconnect the “load” wires in the gfci, see if it resets, then at least you where to start
 
Ok. Thanks Chris. Im really, really bad with electrical but I'll pull it and take a look in the morning.
 
When I got mine the surveyor told me there was an outlet wired wrong when he plugged his tester into each outlet on one circuit in the back stateroom. I started at the GFI outlet and started disconnecting each and found it using a simple circuit detector that you plug into the outlet. They had the polarity reversed on the actual GFI outlet. Had to be that way from the build back in 2006. I switched it and all good now,
 
As simple as switching the ground and neutral on the load side of the gfci, will cause them to trip

ocgrant said:
When I got mine the surveyor told me there was an outlet wired wrong when he plugged his tester into each outlet on one circuit in the back stateroom. I started at the GFI outlet and started disconnecting each and found it using a simple circuit detector that you plug into the outlet. They had the polarity reversed on the actual GFI outlet. Had to be that way from the build back in 2006. I switched it and all good now,
Click to expand...
 
a motor going bad will cause then to trip, even a motor working properly, can cause then to trip
JPGator said:
Ok. Thanks Chris. Im really, really bad with electrical but I'll pull it and take a look in the morning.
Click to expand...
when you look at the back, the wire coming from the panel should be terminated under the screws that are marked “line” and the receptacles that are protected by the gfci should be terminated under the “load”

so disconnect the load and see if she resets, if so, you have an issue on the load side.

Pull the affected outlets and see if something is crossed. If your central vac is on that circuit, maybe unplug it first.... motor going bad will do that to a gfci
 
According to the manual for this 40 the central vac is hard wired and the on/off switch is tied to the plug for the hose. Do you think its worth cutting the power lines to the vac unit itself?
 
Ok. The GFI has been replaced. There is power to the outlet, the yellow light on the GFI is illuminated but there is no power to the outlets on the starboard side of the boat. Why? What is the next step to check?
 
Sounds like mine... The load is reversed going into that GFI.

 
The problem is the GFI was working after the install. Now they quit again. Frustrating.
 
did you put a circuit tester into the GFI? Shows good? Test the load side for voltage?

Need to next go to each outlet and R&R and check that hot and neutral are not crossed. You may have burnt out you new GFI already if there is nothing coming out of the load side. What all is on that circuit? Just outlets or more components?
 
ocgrant said:
did you put a circuit tester into the GFI? Shows good? Test the load side for voltage?

Need to next go to each outlet and R&R and check that hot and neutral are not crossed. You may have burnt out you new GFI already if there is nothing coming out of the load side. What all is on that circuit? Just outlets or more components?
Click to expand...
From what I can tell it’s just outlets and the vacuum. I disconnected the vacuum right after I bought the boat just to make sure. Can a GFI trip the Port/Starboard Systems with on the panel?
 
JPGator said:
From what I can tell it’s just outlets and the vacuum. I disconnected the vacuum right after I bought the boat just to make sure. Can a GFI trip the Port/Starboard Systems with on the panel?
Click to expand...
I am not sure what you are asking.

Here is what I would do, disconnect the load wire from the GFI outlet. Does the outlet still work and can you trip the GFI with a tester and it trips as designed? The with the GFI reset do you have voltage out on the load terminals of the outlet?
 
JPGator said:
From what I can tell it’s just outlets and the vacuum. I disconnected the vacuum right after I bought the boat just to make sure. Can a GFI trip the Port/Starboard Systems with on the panel?
Click to expand...
is it triping the panel breaker?
 
It might. I came onto the boat the other day and the switch was off but the mechanics had just been there. I thought nothing of it. I also just realized I have a receptacle by the helm that is a little loose and I’m wondering if moisture has gotten into that receptacle and that moisture is causing the breaker/GFI to trip?

I need to check to make sure power is coming into the outlet but I’m not sure if my little gadget will do that. I watched a YouTube video on testing and I need to check the low z.
 
Do you have one of these? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerc...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-206517828-_-206029151-_-N

This is a great tool and it will tell you a lot. The outlet can not trip a switch on your panel, that is a switch not a breaker. Your mechanics must have turned it off. But if you have an outlet in question on the helm pull it out and disconnect the wiring, test your circuit to if it is part of your circuit.
 
I don’t. Im going to stop by HD and pick one up on the way. I’m not very good at electrical so I hesitate doing too much. I can disconnect and reconnect but thats about it. I’m guessing if there has been moisture getting into that receptacle it will need to be changed right? If the tool shows anything other than correct there’s an issue with it?
 
JPGator said:
I don’t. Im going to stop by HD and pick one up on the way. I’m not very good at electrical so I hesitate doing too much. I can disconnect and reconnect but thats about it. I’m guessing if there has been moisture getting into that receptacle it will need to be changed right? If the tool shows anything other than correct there’s an issue with it?
Click to expand...
Correct replace it and make sure it is covered by a proper waterproof cover. Yes that tool is a life saver, every outlet should be tested and should read "correct". That is how my surveyor found my issue in my 48 in the aft cabin. The GFI in the bathroom was wired wrong (load reversed) and none of the outlets in the bedroom worked.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,243
Messages
1,429,164
Members
61,123
Latest member
Tim Duncan
Back
Top