GFI Power

AlaskaProf · 06-10-2018, 04:33 PM

Okay, just had my first encounter with 21st century marina AC. In Ketchikan, of all places!

Not a big deal, really,my fridge is the only only user of power...and various phone chargers, Kindle, etc.

But the real question: what mod will I need to make eventually?

DavidM · 06-10-2018, 05:22 PM

Google this site. There is a very extensive thread on this subject and one post recommends an excellent article on why it happens and how to troubleshoot it.

There are several causes but the most common is a fault in one of your branch circuits where the ground is touching or connected to the neutral. Turn off all branch circuits and the main and plug in. If you trip the GFCI then you have some other cause upstream of the main breaker.

Then turn on the main breaker. If that trips with no branch breakers on then something is miss-wired in your panel. Then if the main breaker doesn't trip the GFCI then turn on each breaker one by one until it trips. That is the circuit to investigate. If all trip then you may have the neutral combined with the ground in the main panel.

Good luck.

David

AlaskaProf · 06-10-2018, 07:38 PM

Thanks, David,

Tried your method, but it is more fundamental than that. Their system simply refuses to send me any "juice". But their breaker doesn't trip.

Turn off everything then just my main AC line breaker and it illuminates, but it's just messing with me--if I turn off my inverter, the circuit goes dead...without tripping the dock breaker. The dock pylon has a meter installed, which self tests every couple minutes, but no flow, no meter movement.

Bill

AlaskaProf · 06-10-2018, 07:40 PM

...and, yes, I did try another pylon.

AlaskaProf · 06-10-2018, 08:07 PM

...and the fourth outlet tested works just fine. Unfortunately, there's a boat plugged in there. I think I've found the root of the problem...I'm in Ketchikan!

Smdettman · 06-11-2018, 04:49 PM

Do you have 2 30’amp inputs?

AlaskaProf · 06-11-2018, 05:26 PM

No. Just the one.

But I've declared a false alarm; seems the breaker on the pylon was stiff and sticking in a "nearly on" position. Doesn't explain the two other dead ones, bu I'm content it isnt my boat.

RCook · 06-12-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaskaProf

No. Just the one.

But I've declared a false alarm; seems the breaker on the pylon was stiff and sticking in a "nearly on" position. Doesn't explain the two other dead ones, bu I'm content it isnt my boat.

Had the same trouble with a breaker that was nearly on in Ketchikan a couple of weeks ago. OTOH, the north harbor in Petersburg really does reject my boat's electrical system. Only one I've found in SE AK that does.