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Date:         Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:21:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: broken 120 circuit breaker pin . . .
Comments: To: thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM
In-Reply-To:  <878E55AA-D885-4397-A3FE-0C18675D9E8E@thomaskitts.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

A GFCI provides ground fault or shock protection. The way it works is by measuring and comparing the current flow for both blades. Should a mis match occur it is assumed some current is leaking somewhere and going to ground. It then trips. It does not provide overcurrent protection. The 110V wiring in the Westy is 14 guage, a 15 amp circuit. It is possible that a campground or other receptacle would be a 20 amp, 12 gauge circuit so the 15 amp overcurrent device is reqiured. Worse would be using an adapter to connect the 20 amp cord to 30A rectacle. If the camper was newer, since the outlet is in a kitchen and in addition, it is possible for you to be outside, on the ground, in contact with an appliance and the ground or vehicle body, the GFCI would also be reqiured.

>From: Thomas Jefferson Kitts <thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM> >Reply-To: Thomas Jefferson Kitts <thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >Subject: broken 120 circuit breaker pin . . . >Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:50:59 -0700 > >Hi all, new owner of a '84 Westie here. > >Just came home from its maiden voyage and my 14 year old son reached >down to the floor and picked up a piece of plastic and asked, "Hey >Dad, is this important?" It was the plastic push-pin from the 15 amp >circuit breaker on the 120 cabinet outlet. > >Apparently the pin had been broken off by something striking it from >an angle. (A foot, some cargo? Who knows?) Seemed like a bad design >decision in the first place. > >My question is, is there any reason I can't just replace the stock >Westie breaker with a recessed 15 amp GFI circuit breaker like the >ones put into US kitchens and bathrooms? The kind with the recessed >red button. Should fit the electrical box, although I haven't yet >checked this. That way the reset button would not stick out to be >struck of by an errant object. > >Anyone done this before? > >regards, > >Thomas


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