Larson 290 Carbio - RCD Tripping on Cabin Outlets

[srharlow]

Beginning to struggle with this one and even considering a re-wire of the cabin outlets, but we've just returned from Dunkirk after a weekend cruise to/from the Medway. Prior to leaving Medway everything was ok, but upon arrival at Dunkirk we plugged into the pontoon and "pop" went the cabin outlet RCD on the fuse board. We did take a bit of water on board during the crossing which could be the cause as we punched through at 20 - 23 knots! Returned last SUnday and as soon as we arrived we plugged in again and "pop", off it went again. May be a case of leaving it to dry out for a while, but has anyone else come across this before? Any suggestions? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Strathglass]

It is probably that the RCD is behaving as it should.

<span style="color:red"> The RCD is a sefety device. It is there to protect you </span>

The dampness you picked up on your last trip has probably introduced some unbalanced leakage path in the AC wiring in your boat. It will continue to trip until this is resolved.

How to deal with it.

First we must isolate the problem.

First check the RCD.

<span style="color:red"> With the shore power lead completely disconnected </span> disconnect all the output wires from the RCD. Set the RCD on and reconnect the shore power The RCD should not trip. If it does the RCD is faulty and should be replaced.

<span style="color:red"> If it has not tripped you should then disconnect your shore power</span> and reconnect the wires to the RCD before carying on any further.

I am assuming that you do not have access to profesional test equipment or the necessary skill to use it.

Do you have any AC devices permanently connected such as a charger? Try switching them off (if they can be) then see the RCD trips.

If it still trips then the AC input wires to each device connected to the AC must be physically disconnected in turn,
It is important that both the live and neutral are disconnected.

<span style="color:red"> Remember to unplug the shorepower lead any time you are messing about with the AC wiring </span>

It is unlikely that the problem is with the wiring itself unless the wire is swimming in saline.

An alternative way which may just resolve the problem is to beg, buy or borrow a dehumidifier and running it from a seperate shorelead (with RCD) leave it running inside your boat for a couple of days. Get one with a remote drain pipe.

Just some ideas you may wish to try out.

Best of luck

Iain