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Motor Home Circuit Electrical Troubleshooting

How to Detect Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures – The power source should be tested from the closest junction box to the panel and out from there to all the other affected outlets. A visual Inspection of the outlets, wiring and wire connectors.


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Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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Causes of Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures

[ad#block]This problem is in my motor home and the circuit has worked for several years but suddenly three of the outlets do not have power.

Hope this has given you enough info to give me an idea of what to do.

Thanks,Lee

This electrical wiring question came from: Lee, a Handyman from Cataldo, ID
Additional Comments: This is my first time to visit this site.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Lee.

How to Detect Motor Home Outlet Circuit Failures

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Yes, GFI outlets can go bad and stop supplying power to the load side of the wiring, this is why testing GFI outlets and circuit breakers periodically is a great idea.
  2. You do mention that the power is on and off at times, so this indicates that there may be a loose connection.
  3. The power source should be tested from the closest junction box to the panel and out from there to all the other affected outlets. A visual Inspection of the outlets, wiring and wire connectors will most likely reveal the problem.

REFERENCES

GFCI Outlets

Wiring Diagram GFI
The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.

For more information about GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

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NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.



Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Motor Home Circuit Electrical Troubleshooting”
  1. Judy says:

    We have no power to any of the outlets in the motor home. We may have had too many small appliances on this morning. Everything is now unplugged. The circuit breaker to the outlets was reset. Pushing the reset button on the GFCI does nothing. The button doesn’t change positions. What else can we try?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Judy, if the GFCI Reset or Test button does not depress then that means that the circuit does not have power. So you will need to locate the electrical circuit panel in your motor home and check to see if a circuit breaker has tripped off, and I’m guessing that is what you will discover. You may want to test the GFI outlet after the circuit power is restored.
    Happy Traveling and Thanks for Visiting Ask-The-Electrician!
    Dave

  3. Dayle says:

    Hi I recently discovered that my fridge and some outlets over the sink no longer get power. I determined that the load side of the GFCI may be the culprit. I replaced the outlet in the bathroom. I now have proven I have power to the load side of the GFCI outlet by checking output. I still do not have power down line. Before i start opening all outlets and looking for broken, loose wires, do you have any ideas? This unit worked just fine before putting into storage for the winter. Baffled — Thanks, Dayle

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Dale,
    The outlets that provide power for the refrigerator and kitchen outlets typically are not on the same circuit as the bathroom. The bathroom gfci outlets are usually on a dedicated circuit by itself. I would look in the kitchen for a gfi outlet that may be tripped off, or a circuit breaker that might be off before I started opening outlet boxes.

    Dave