semi-dead electrical outlets

[Pete Masterson]

On my coach ('95 WBDA 42' there are three 110 V electrical outlets
in the kitchen area (located curb side). Two are beneath the cabinets
above the sink (only one is GFID) and the third is on the end of the
kitchen counter next to the sofa. Other electrical outlets down that
side of the coach (by the bedroom door and on the opposite end of the
kitchen counter) work normally.

All three of these seemed to be without power when I did a quick
check on our last outing. When I tested them today I noticed a very
dim glow from a test lamp. Putting in a voltage tester I get 67.4 to
68.3 volts (AC) from these (nominally) 110/115 v outlets. It doesn't
seem to matter if its shore power, inverter power, or generator power
-- I get the same readings under each condition.

All breakers (panel in bedroom) are on. This was probably the way it
was when I took delivery of the coach last May -- we simply hadn't
tried to use them before.

This is rather a puzzle to me ... if they were completely dead, I'd
be looking for an open wire ... but 68 volts? It doesn't add up to
anything obvious to me.... There is no humming sounds, ozone smell,
burning odors, or anything obvious...

Any ideas?

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[David Brady]

Pete,

Did you test the ground fault outlet; i.e., press the test/reset to see
if it opens the circuit? I assume the single ground fault protects all
3 outlets. Just a guess but could a faulty ground fault allow the ground
at the outlets to float such that you get an arbitrary low voltage at the
outlets?

David Brady
'02 LXi

Pete Masterson wrote:
> On my coach ('95 WBDA 42' there are three 110 V electrical outlets
> in the kitchen area (located curb side). Two are beneath the cabinets
> above the sink (only one is GFID) and the third is on the end of the
> kitchen counter next to the sofa. Other electrical outlets down that
> side of the coach (by the bedroom door and on the opposite end of the
> kitchen counter) work normally.
>
> All three of these seemed to be without power when I did a quick
> check on our last outing. When I tested them today I noticed a very
> dim glow from a test lamp. Putting in a voltage tester I get 67.4 to
> 68.3 volts (AC) from these (nominally) 110/115 v outlets. It doesn't
> seem to matter if its shore power, inverter power, or generator power
> -- I get the same readings under each condition.
>
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Bingo! Ground fault outlet is it. After pressing the reset _very_
hard (harder than I'd pressed it before), the power came back on at
full strength. Test button doesn't work at all. Looks like I'll be
getting a new GFI outlet...

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Dec 3, 2006, at 5:57 PM, David Brady wrote:

> Pete,
>
> Did you test the ground fault outlet; i.e., press the test/reset to
> see
> if it opens the circuit? I assume the single ground fault protects all
> 3 outlets. Just a guess but could a faulty ground fault allow the
> ground
> at the outlets to float such that you get an arbitrary low voltage
> at the
> outlets?
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi
>
> Pete Masterson wrote:
>> On my coach ('95 WBDA 42' there are three 110 V electrical outlets
>> in the kitchen area (located curb side). Two are beneath the cabinets
>> above the sink (only one is GFID) and the third is on the end of the
>> kitchen counter next to the sofa. Other electrical outlets down that
>> side of the coach (by the bedroom door and on the opposite end of the
>> kitchen counter) work normally.
>>
>> All three of these seemed to be without power when I did a quick
>> check on our last outing. When I tested them today I noticed a very
>> dim glow from a test lamp. Putting in a voltage tester I get 67.4 to
>> 68.3 volts (AC) from these (nominally) 110/115 v outlets. It doesn't
>> seem to matter if its shore power, inverter power, or generator power
>> -- I get the same readings under each condition.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gregory OConnor]

I remember overhearing a customer at homedepot complain that he had
to replace two bad gfi recepticals in a row. I added my two cents
and asked if he may have a 'ground fault'. I dont know the outcome
of his situation, but what makes a gfi go bad if it is not worked or
exersized? Its like replacing a fuse; "Blown fuse is a result not a
cause"
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa
'the cause of trouble'-'in trouble as a result'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete 'Masterson
wrote:
>
> Bingo! Ground fault outlet is it. After pressing the reset _very_
> hard (harder than I'd pressed it before), the power came back on
at
> full strength. Test button doesn't work at all. Looks like I'll be
> getting a new GFI outlet...
>
> Pete Masterson
> aeonix1@...
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
> El Sobrante, CA
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 3, 2006, at 5:57 PM, David Brady wrote:
>
> > Pete,
> >
> > Did you test the ground fault outlet; i.e., press the test/reset
to
> > see
> > if it opens the circuit? I assume the single ground fault
protects all
> > 3 outlets. Just a guess but could a faulty ground fault allow
the
> > ground
> > at the outlets to float such that you get an arbitrary low
voltage
> > at the
> > outlets?
> >
> > David Brady
> > '02 LXi
> >
> > Pete Masterson wrote:
> >> On my coach ('95 WBDA 42' there are three 110 V electrical
outlets
> >> in the kitchen area (located curb side). Two are beneath the
cabinets
> >> above the sink (only one is GFID) and the third is on the end of
the
> >> kitchen counter next to the sofa. Other electrical outlets down
that
> >> side of the coach (by the bedroom door and on the opposite end
of the
> >> kitchen counter) work normally.
> >>
> >> All three of these seemed to be without power when I did a quick
> >> check on our last outing. When I tested them today I noticed a
very
> >> dim glow from a test lamp. Putting in a voltage tester I get
67.4 to
> >> 68.3 volts (AC) from these (nominally) 110/115 v outlets. It
doesn't
> >> seem to matter if its shore power, inverter power, or generator
power
> >> -- I get the same readings under each condition.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>