Date:         Thu, 2 Jan 2003 19:31:36 -0800
Reply-To:     Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Ground Fault in Westy?
Comments: To: edward.bass@GM.COM
In-Reply-To:  <OFB790491E.D1A8A635-ON85256CA2.00500794@mail.gm.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 2 Jan 2003, at 9:40, Ed Bass wrote:

> Happy New Year!
> Put nearly a thousand miles on the 87 Westy over the holidays, but changed
> plans to camp in the Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania due to an
> electrical problem.  It seems that the campsite's GFI outlets were
> "tripping out" whenever I plugged in the Westy.  I do not have any problem
> with regular outlets.  Are Westy's compatible with GFI?  Or is my Westy
> harboring some electrical hazard?  If you can advise, please let me know.
> Thanks Ed

Ed,

The GFI (assuming it's working properly) is apparently detecting a current
imbalance between the hot & neutral when you plug in.  That most likely
means you have some sort of leakage path to the local "earth".

Have you tried disconnecting or shutting down everything in the van which
is connected to that 115V?  Let's work with that idea before going
further.

Also, it might be helpful to know what you have connected to the outside
environment aside from the 4 tires sitting on the ground and the AC plug
to the receptacle.  And is that a 3 pin plug (with ground pin)?

If that's a 3 pin plug, I need help from Westy experts.  Is that 3rd pin
actually connected to the Vanagon frame?

//Jack