GFCI reset troubles.

Just a heads up for those who have a GFCI outlet which won't reset. On a recent trip my spouse caused the GFCI to trip in our Rpod 78 by using a hair dryer. I was unable to get that GFCI to reset. I checked the breakers, fuses, etc., to no avail. I went to a local Home Depot and purchased a new GFCI outlet, replaced it, and still no good. I was at my wit's end needless to say. Unfortunately that circuit involves 3 outlets (1 by the bed, 1 by the kitchen, and 1 by the dinette) as well as the outlet that the fridge plugs into. Once it tripped our refrigerator would not work on electricity. After a couple of hours trying to figure out the problem I gave up and spent the rest of the trip using a cooler instead of the fridge.

After getting back home and troubleshooting, I figured out 2 things which I wanted to share. First, unless the power is connected to the camper and the circuit, the GFCI won't reset. Older GFCI outlets will reset without power but the newer ones (since 2004 or so) will not. Every Rpod has been built since 2004 so I doubt there is one out there that will let the GFCI reset without power. Second, every item plugged into that GFCI circuit (i.e., the fridge or anything else) will have to be unplugged in order to get the GFCI to reset.

I couldn't understand why it wouldn't reset and still don't, but learned after many fruitless efforts that the fridge had to be unplugged. You access the fridge power cord through the outside cover panel. Once I unplugged that, the GFCI readily reset. Had I known that before I could have saved myself a great deal of sweat and aggravation.

Originally posted by johnremmett Second, every item plugged into that GFCI circuit (i.e., the fridge or anything else) will have to be unplugged in order to get the GFCI to reset. I couldn't understand why it wouldn't reset and still don't, but learned after many fruitless efforts that the fridge had to be unplugged. You access the fridge power cord through the outside cover panel. Once I unplugged that, the GFCI readily reset. Had I known that before I could have saved myself a great deal of sweat and aggravation.