Hi Scott --
[chainsaw to homemade in-line GFI discussion]
| Hi Mark!
| Just got around to reading more e-mails---we did this at
| construction sites
| all the time. The only negative I can see from this is that they
| are 20 amp
| rated. There might be a larger GFI duplex receptacle available
| but I don't
| know.
These simple units use a conventional 15 amp 12 gauge extension cord for the
'in and out', so they would only work for a regular old duplex outlet.
The store bought one I have is the same, just a 15 amp plug. I'm sure
there's a 30 amp 110 volt version available, but I haven't looked for one.
I only mentioned this 'homebrew solution' because I know there are a lot of
GMC'rs who like to do it themselves. If you have any question in your mind
about your electrical wiring skills, go buy a ready made and use it.
I changed the outlets in my garage to GFI's, then plugged my coach in over
the week end, my niece had a slumber party in the 'camper'. She came in to
tell me that the power had went out, and I went out to see why. The GFI
would trip just as soon as I plugged in the GMC.
Went inside for a look see, since it had been plugged in all day and night
without a problem, A/C had even been on. Long story short, but it wasn't an
overload.
Found out one of the girls thought the water heater switch in the closet
was the light switch, flipped it on. (there was water in the tank, and it
works). I turned it off, reset the GFI and no problem. Flipped on the water
heater switch and the gfi tripped instantly.
I taped the switch in the off position. I was very lucky. Had the third wire
ground been bad, this could have been a tragedy. The girls were done, so I
pulled the shore power and we cleaned up on batteries.
I'll report my resistance findings on the heater element over the weekend. I
have no idea how long its been this way.
Mark
[chainsaw to homemade in-line GFI discussion]
| Hi Mark!
| Just got around to reading more e-mails---we did this at
| construction sites
| all the time. The only negative I can see from this is that they
| are 20 amp
| rated. There might be a larger GFI duplex receptacle available
| but I don't
| know.
These simple units use a conventional 15 amp 12 gauge extension cord for the
'in and out', so they would only work for a regular old duplex outlet.
The store bought one I have is the same, just a 15 amp plug. I'm sure
there's a 30 amp 110 volt version available, but I haven't looked for one.
I only mentioned this 'homebrew solution' because I know there are a lot of
GMC'rs who like to do it themselves. If you have any question in your mind
about your electrical wiring skills, go buy a ready made and use it.
I changed the outlets in my garage to GFI's, then plugged my coach in over
the week end, my niece had a slumber party in the 'camper'. She came in to
tell me that the power had went out, and I went out to see why. The GFI
would trip just as soon as I plugged in the GMC.
Went inside for a look see, since it had been plugged in all day and night
without a problem, A/C had even been on. Long story short, but it wasn't an
overload.
Found out one of the girls thought the water heater switch in the closet
was the light switch, flipped it on. (there was water in the tank, and it
works). I turned it off, reset the GFI and no problem. Flipped on the water
heater switch and the gfi tripped instantly.
I taped the switch in the off position. I was very lucky. Had the third wire
ground been bad, this could have been a tragedy. The girls were done, so I
pulled the shore power and we cleaned up on batteries.
I'll report my resistance findings on the heater element over the weekend. I
have no idea how long its been this way.
Mark
