Outlet Dilema

FreeBird132

We were using the outside outlet while grilling with a panini press and the power suddenly went out (like a breaker flipped or fuse blown).  I have checked all the switches in the fuse box, some of the fuses, and reset the GFCI switch behind the sink.  We went ahead and changed the outlet outside to a new GFCI outlet, but the power is still off to that outlet.  Any ideas?

pthomas745

Welcome to the Forums.  Are any of the electrical outlets working on shore power?  The AC or the Alde on shore power?  Have you checked the circuit breaker on the outlet the trailer is plugged into? What amp rating is that outlet?  30 amp?  20?  15?

How many watts is the panini press?  (Look at the label somewhere on it).  If it is pushing close to 1800 watts, that would be almost 15 amps by itself.  Was anything else running in the trailer?

ScottG

Was the original outside outlet a GFCI?

If not, it should be linked to one of the inside GFCI outlets. If you replaced it with a new GFCI, you now have two GFCI protection devices on that outside outlet. I'm not certain, but that could potentially cause some wonky stuff to happen.

FreeBird132

All of the inside outlets work as well as lights, A/C.  

FreeBird132

Our panini grill is 1500W.  When the Tab is on just battery, all indoor outlets work, except for the one GFCI by the sink.  On shore power, all outlets work inside, but not the outside outlet.  Everything else works on shore power, refrigerator, A/C, lights, and outlets (just not the outside outlet.

MuttonChops

@FreeBird132;  Please include your trailer Model 320/400, Year, and anything special like Extra Li-ion Package.  It would also be helpful to know if the trailer was purchased new or used (as some owners do modifications)

As @ScottG commented,  connecting two GFCI boxes on one circuit is not recommended.
Did you install a GFCI in an outlet that was standard before?

A quick web-search found these remarks on having two GFCI in the same circuit.

For most trailer build years nüCamp has placed the GFCI box inside the trailer, for example:

FreeBird132

We have a 2020 Tab 400 Boondock which was 1 year old when we bought it. In this forum, it was suggested installing a new outlet for a problem like this.  I read that even if the outlet was protected by a GFCI on the line, if the outlet was outside, it should have a GFCI outlet.  That said, the problem existed and happened before I updated the outlet.  It just didn't solve the problem, so I believe the problem is inside the Tab somehow.  You can find different advice on google and I found this:  "You may use two or more GFCI rated outlets on one circuit if you like. However, if one trips or goes bad, all the outlets/GFCIs down the line will be affected. That's why you should test your GFCI's monthly to ensure proper operation.Oct 21, 2021

How Many GFCI's Can Be On A Circuit

MuttonChops

For yr-2020 400 the outside outlet is on the Kitchen circuit (protected by the kitchen GFCI).

By switching off all circuit breakers except the kitchen you can isolate which in-cabin outlets are on that circuit (as you have stated all in-cabin outlets work).

It has not been reported on this forum as to the number and location of outlets between the kitchen GFCI and outside.

The outlet that feeds the outside could have a bad connection on its load side. Suggest you open each in-cabin outlet on the Kitchen GFCI circuit and confirm all wires are connected.

FreeBird132

Thank you MuttonChops!  It turned out the GFCI outlet in the kitchen DID have a bad connection on its load side.  The wired was fried.  Replacing that GFCI fixed the outside outlet. At least, they both work when shore power is on, but not when using just the battery.  Not sure if that is how it is supposed to work but we usually always have shore power.  If we boondock, we still have two outlets that work on battery.

MuttonChops

FreeBird132 said:
. . . both work when shore power is on, but not when using just the battery.
. . . still have two outlets that work on battery.

Glad your issue has been resolved.

In general yr-2020's only have two in-cabin outlets wired to the inverter.

Have you found/seen the Manuals and Resources Section of this forum?
One of the topic categories listed on the left hand panel of screen.
This one has model 400 electrical wiring information,
         Resources/Electrical/400