Tripping GFI for shore power

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Chris...I would remove the shorepower connector on the outside of the boat, if it's a good quality one it should have come with a gasket between it and the boat, when removed check the wiring for correct connection, loose or even chaffed wires, even though it's only a few feet of wire to replace I like to know why I'm changing something before I do, it could even be wired wrong inside that breaker box you found, just because you tripped the breakers who knows if they are wired correctly?

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Have you pluged it into a different outlet (from the shore power)? It is possible that that GFI is questionable.

TerryMSU

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Chris: Glad to see you found the main circuit board and have isolated the problem as being between the circuit board and the shore connection. The most likely spot is the on-board shore connection receptacle. They are prone to corrosion caused by rain water getting in while the shore line is connected. Pull it out and carefully inspect it front and back. The lack of GFCI receptacles on board and the disconnected green ground wire clearly indicate that the system was installed by someone who was not knowledgeable in how to hook up a system. Every on-board receptacle should be a GFCI. No ground wire should be left disconnected. You are leaving yourself open to a severe shock or worse. I STRONGLY recommend that you replace every receptacle with a GFCI receptacle, making sure that the ground wires are properly connected. I also suggest that you check that marine cable was used for all the wiring, #12-3, and not household solid core Romex style wiring. Good luck, and let us know what you find. Hy

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Tks Bob and Hy, it does have a rubber gasket in between the boat and receptacle, bc I did remove the screws to pull it out yet had trouble getting it out, maybe I just had to wiggle it a little more. I will let you know what I find, I plan on cleaning up some of the wiring while im at it as well.

Bob, had a bit of time to troubleshoot due to the poor weather, used it to get some fishing in though!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Every on-board receptacle should be a GFCI. I STRONGLY recommend that you replace every receptacle with a GFCI receptacle

I'm sorry but I disagree with this. As long as the first receptacle in the circuit is a GFI and the grounds. neutral and hot wires are correct the downstream receptacles can be non-GFI, this is code and works just fine. I don't believe the extra cost for the extra GFI buys you you anything in this case.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Now that you have found the panel in the boat, make sure that the grounds and neutrals are on seperate "bars" in the panel and they are kept electrically isolated from each other. If some or all of the grounds and neutrals are on the same bar in the boat panel, the GFCI will trip every time, as it should. The grounds and neutrals MUST be kept seperate.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Well boyz, I though I had her.

Took apart the plug connector on the exterior of the boat, and found that 1 of the 3 wires that connect to it was burned through the insulation on the connector. Cut all 3 back, put on new connectors, cleaned up, and re wired. Plugged it back in yet still pops the GFI! Had an electrician look at the box and it was all wired as it should. Only thing that I can think of now is that there is a fault in the wiring from the connector to the box. If it burned through at 1 spot, Im sure there are more. Will have to replace the whole length of wire, which is about 4 feet, so I imagine it wont be overly expensive. Just have to find it first.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Tripping GFI for shore power

Chris...keep pluggin away (pun intended), seriously though the burned one suggests that it could have been loose and arcing, could have caused a fire. I don't think I would be very comfortable until all the wiring has been replaced, it doesn't sound like it was done by a professional. You should be able to buy good quality marine grade wire at some marine supply place near where you live?