Seneca 110v electrical power ?

MD3 · 03-09-2018, 08:45 AM

My enclosed trailer has 110v electrical lights in it and I’m trying to find an outlet on the Seneca that I can plug it into and power my trailer off my Seneca’s generator.

I’ve plugged the trailer in at home with zero issues.

I just tried plugging the trailer into my Seneca and it throws the breaker on the inside panel.
I have tried the outlets in the bay on the driver’s side, one below the outside tv, one above the kitchen sink....

Any idea where to plug in ?
Should I look into rewiring an outlet directly off the generator (if that’s even possible) ?
Ideas or suggestions ?

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Robbbyr · 03-09-2018, 09:43 AM

Does the breaker blow immediately or after a bit of time? Is there a high wattage heater or something else running in the trailer?

Robbbyr · 03-09-2018, 10:01 AM

Another question. Are you using an extension cord to plug in the trailer? Is it the same one you used at home? Wondering if there could be a problem with that cord or its plugs.

MD3 · 03-09-2018, 10:30 AM

The lights in the trailer will come on for a second or two, then the breaker trips. The breaker that runs all the outlets is the GFI breaker. Not sure of any outlets that aren’t on this GFI breaker...

Nothing else running in the coach using power.

NOT the same extension cord I was using at home... but I have used the cord for exterior flood lights I the past without issue.
I’ll try another extension cord on the trailer and see if it changes anything.

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memphis02 · 03-09-2018, 11:06 AM

The problem is likely GFCI. There 'is' a way to get around that, but it would be very unsafe.

Robbbyr · 03-09-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD3

The lights in the trailer will come on for a second or two, then the breaker trips. The breaker that runs all the outlets is the GFI breaker. Not sure of any outlets that aren’t on this GFI breaker...

Nothing else running in the coach using power.

NOT the same extension cord I was using at home... but I have used the cord for exterior flood lights I the past without issue.
I’ll try another extension cord on the trailer and see if it changes anything.
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Is it the breaker itself tripping or the GFCI outlet popping? Are the lights fluorescent? I have some fluorescent lights that don't get along with GFI but test perfectly fine. Some ballast issue.

Is it an actual GFCI breaker in the power distribution center? My microwave outlet is not on the GFCI system, you might try that outlet.

MD3 · 03-09-2018, 02:28 PM

Tried another extension cord. No difference.

Popping the breaker. It is a GFI breaker but not tripping the GFI.

It is popping on both the fluorescent bulbs and/or the halogen side lights of the trailer.

I'm not looking to change the breaker. I understand the importance of the GFI breaker.

Would like to find another outlet that can support the trailer lights then run some wires and put an outlet in the rear bay with the electrical cord real.
I'm not sure if should use the microwave since it runs off the inverter or if that matters....

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Robbbyr · 03-09-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD3

I'm not sure if should use the microwave since it runs off the inverter or if that matters....-

If you are on shore power or the generator the inverter isn't really involved. The inverter has its own small transfer switch that passes power out either from the inverter/batteries when you don't have other 110-volt AC power available. When on other AC power the inverter is, in a sense, bypassed.

Robbbyr · 03-09-2018, 02:56 PM

I was also only suggesting the microwave outlet to test the GFI theory, not as a permanent connection.

Do you have any open breaker spots in your load center? You might consider a dedicated new circuit. If no open spots, can you remove a standard size breaker and go with a new twin "half-size" breaker?

Abe padgett · 03-09-2018, 07:35 PM

My 2017 HJ has a 120 v outlet in the cord real compartment. You have to look hard to see it, same color as compartment.

Abe padgett · 03-09-2018, 07:40 PM

Ha Rob:
Could be a hot wire going to equipment ground in trailer. If the trailer isn’t grounded properly the house power might not pick up the ground.

Abe padgett · 03-09-2018, 07:52 PM

I would try complete disconnecting the trailer from the RV then plug into RV power.

MD3 · 03-10-2018, 10:21 AM

Looked everywhere in the cord reel compartment.... I don’t see any outlets.

Tried the microwave outlet with the generator running.
It works !!! Trailer 110v lights work perfect with zero issues.

So I’m guessing the problem is any outlet tied to the GFI breaker.

I don’t see any open breaker spots in my control panel so I need to pull the cover when I get home to see if any breakers are not being used.
I don’t have a washer/dryer so maybe tap into that breaker and run wires to the cord reel compartment to put an outlet there...

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Robbbyr · 03-10-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD3

Tried the microwave outlet with the generator running.
It works !!! Trailer 110v lights work perfect with zero issues.

So I’m guessing the problem is any outlet tied to the GFI breaker.

I don’t see any open breaker spots in my control panel so I need to pull the cover when I get home to see if any breakers are not being used.
I don’t have a washer/dryer so maybe tap into that breaker and run wires to the cord reel compartment to put an outlet there...-

I'm glad you are narrowing in on the problem, but the GFCI tripping would still concern me. Have you checked for a "hot skin" condition when the trailer is powered from the microwave outlet?

On my rig I did install a combo washer/dryer so all my breakers positions were used. To allow me to hook up my replacement gas/electric water heater I had to replace a full-size breaker with a twin "half-size" breaker. An easy fix.

rollon52 · 03-12-2018, 11:05 AM

Abe padgett,
A big thanks. After I read your comment, I went to my electrical cord storage bay to look for the 110 outlet. I did in fact find one tucked high on the right side of the storage bay. It is in a dark bay with a dark cover over the outlet. Next time I stop at a hardware store I will be buying a bright colored cover for the outlet.

This forum has sure come in handy, thanks again!

SloPoke · 03-12-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD3

Looked everywhere in the cord reel compartment.... I don’t see any outlets.

Tried the microwave outlet with the generator running.
It works !!! Trailer 110v lights work perfect with zero issues.

So I’m guessing the problem is any outlet tied to the GFI breaker.

I don’t see any open breaker spots in my control panel so I need to pull the cover when I get home to see if any breakers are not being used.
I don’t have a washer/dryer so maybe tap into that breaker and run wires to the cord reel compartment to put an outlet there...

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Lots of our camping trips include hooking up our friends 5-wheel to our generator.

We originally tried to plug them into one of our exterior outlets (tried both sides) and found that the both are GFCI protected and tripped the GFCI with hardly anything turned on. It seems that they have an issue with GFCI protected service.

That said - our Service panel in the Seneca has an open space for another breaker (on the bottom). I added a dedicated 20A circuit breaker and wired an outdoor outlet. We now have power to run a small wire feed welder, other power tools or another friends Trailer.

MD3 · 03-12-2018, 09:33 PM

I’m going to have to look at the service panel for an empty spot....
The main panel (with the 12v fuses) is full.

I’d like to get a solid 20 amp breaker and circuit setup for just the trailer.

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