Shore Power Keeps Tripping - Stumped?-gctid379309

[Guest]

I have a 91 2655 Ciera and for some reason the GFI's trip, killing power to everything when I have the batteries off position and try switching the panel to shore power. However, if the have the batteries selector set to 1, 2 or all everything works?

Thanks in advance

[MidnightSun]

Only thing I can think of is the fridge which gets switched to 110v when you cut out the 12vdc. Try unplugging the fridge from it's receptacle.

[Guest]

First of all, the GFI's are doing there job, and thats a good thing. A little hard to tell whats going on from your description, could be some thing as simple as a worn insulation on a conductor or maybe a recent change in wiring, add something or deleted something? Did you have this problem last fall or is it new this spring? Just looking for more info.

[Guest]

The biggest connection between all these things would be the battery charger.

Turn the battery charger breaker "off" and see if this still happens :c)

[Guest]

Great suggestions guy's.

With shore power on the panel turned off the charger still works, even with batteries off

I'll try the other suggestions on the weekend

Thanks

[Guest]

love2speed wrote:
I have a 91 2655 Ciera and for some reason the GFI's trip, killing power to everything when I have the batteries off position and try switching the panel to shore power. However, if the have the batteries selector set to 1, 2 or all everything works?

Thanks in advance

Are you connecting to a marina shore power or just a 15 amp service.

If you are getting any kind of reverse polarity the GFI will trip.

If the GFI is what you are feeding from in all likely hood your boat will not accept that power.

The test circuit that gives you the red or green light on your AC panel will trip a shore GFI every time.

I had to install a switch on my boat to cut out that circuit as I had to use shore power from a GFI from time to time.

You are still protected as the GFI is now deciding if you have reverse current.

[Guest]

Marina only offers 15 amp so I'm running a cheater ( 30 amp to 15 amp) could it be something to do wiyh that?

[Guest]

love2speed wrote:
Marina only offers 15 amp so I'm running a cheater ( 30 amp to 15 amp) could it be something to do wiyh that?

Try a two wire extension just to see if the breaker stays in. That will tell you it is reverse current tripping the breaker.

I am not saying use it that way.(can hear all the comments already) but it will tell you if it is a over current or reverse polarity problem.

[Guest]

The wiring behind my shore power receptacle was bad on my older boat. It looked like the insulation burned off. Most of the heat was due to poor wiring connections in the back of the plug. (plus water damage). Also, The PO may have run too much power through this plug. This caused the back of the receptacle and wiring to burn. I replaced the receptacle and wiring with a heavier gauge. Where the wires connected to the receptacle, I used 'RID OX' grease to improve the connection.

If you walk the harbors, you'll see burned up shore power plugs and receptacles from time to time.

[Guest]

Hey Folk's

Thanks for all your suggestions, it ended up being a bad GFI, I guess the old one (20 plus years) tripped one to many times.