GFI trips on inverter when trying to power my trailer AC panel with Renogy New Edition Inverter

[Aikalowych]

I have a Renogy 2000W PSW Inverter directly wired to my trailer AC distribution panel through a transfer switch. When shore power is cut and the TS switches to inverter power, the inverter immediately trips and the yellow GF fault light comes on. The inverter itself works perfectly for any appliance I plug into the AC outlets, however, using the hardwired AC terminals to feed power to my trailer AC distribution panel causes this issue. The issue also was present when just trying to plug my shore power cord into the inverter.

I believe my issue is stemming from the lack of neutral ground bonding within my trailer and the inverter (though I'm not positive). The inverter is this 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Power Saving Mode (New Edition) and here is the manual for it. This new edition inverter specifically states that the NG is unbonded (unlike their previous inverters) and to not bond them. I am at a loss as to how I would resolve this issue because I need the inverter to power my AC panel within the trailer and the GF keeps tripping. I even sent the inverter back to Renogy and they claimed they tested it and even tried to model my system in their tests and they're saying it works perfectly. I've been racking my brain and reading so many different forums to try and figure this out but I haven't come across any solutions. Please help!!!

 

[sunshine_eggo]

You've completely explored these options?





With everything off, what is the resistance between N and G in your AC panel?

If your trailer has other GFCI outlets, try tripping them via the test button (shuts them off) and see if it changes the behavior of the inverter.

IMHO, the real solution is to get a quality inverter/charger that properly handles N-G bonding.

 

[Aikalowych]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have explored those options as Im using the AC terminal block on the inverter. I even disconnected the GFCI outlets from the panel by shutting off the GFCI circuit breaker and disconnecting the neutral line of that circuit from the neutral bus bar.

I’m not sure what the resistance between N and G is in my AC panel, though when I checked I did not have continuity between them so I assume it’s infinite.

Another thing about this inverter is that they have a floating neutral? I believe is the term where neutral and hot are both powered at 60V offset to create the 120V power so I’m also not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I do agree that if I did this over I would go with a more expensive unit that doesn’t have these issues.

 

[camperjime613]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have explored those options as Im using the AC terminal block on the inverter. I even disconnected the GFCI outlets from the panel by shutting off the GFCI circuit breaker and disconnecting the neutral line of that circuit from the neutral bus bar.

I’m not sure what the resistance between N and G is in my AC panel, though when I checked I did not have continuity between them so I assume it’s infinite.

Another thing about this inverter is that they have a floating neutral? I believe is the term where neutral and hot are both powered at 60V offset to create the 120V power so I’m also not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I do agree that if I did this over I would go with a more expensive unit that doesn’t have these issues.

Where you able to get the Renogy 2000w Eco thru a transfer switch to a trailer distribution panel? I am having the same issue, GFCI fault as soon as the transfer switch connects.

 

[0truck0]

And you unplugged everything from the outlets too?

I have read this issue and the solution on RV forums many times and do not remember the details. Search or ask RV forums as this will be more common there.
It is neutral related I bet.

 

[mikefitz]

Renogy 2000W PSW Inverter directly wired to my trailer AC distribution

See the video on disabling the GFI,

In the UK the Renogy inverter version we get , (230v), does not have the GFI, but still contains the warnings not to bond neutral to PE.
Since any permanent install in a RV (in the UK) needs a RCD ( GFI ) on the inverter output, to meet regulations, the workaround is to make the bond at the inverter and ignore the Renogy warnings.

For the trip to occur in your system it suggests there is some path from hot to PE. Disconnecting all AC consumers and reconnecting in turn may identify the problem. Top suspect would be the AC to DC power unit.

 

[calvin38n]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have explored those options as Im using the AC terminal block on the inverter. I even disconnected the GFCI outlets from the panel by shutting off the GFCI circuit breaker and disconnecting the neutral line of that circuit from the neutral bus bar.

I’m not sure what the resistance between N and G is in my AC panel, though when I checked I did not have continuity between them so I assume it’s infinite.

Another thing about this inverter is that they have a floating neutral? I believe is the term where neutral and hot are both powered at 60V offset to create the 120V power so I’m also not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I do agree that if I did this over I would go with a more expensive unit that doesn’t have these issues.

Were you able to troubleshoot and fix the issue with the Groud Fault? I am having the exactly same issue. My Renogy 2000 Watt Inverter with Eco mode works perfectly with AC outlets, but when I try to power my RV AC Distribution Panel via my Transfer Switch with the Renogy AC terminal block, I get the yellow Ground Fault warning light lit instantly. I took some steps to completely separate the neutral from the chassis grounding, but with no success… When I plug in my residential refrigerator with 3 prongs directly to the Renogy Inverter outlets, it works fine. I don’t understand what is causing the Renogy AC terminal block to throw the Ground Fault circuit…. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

 

[calvin38n]

See the video on disabling the GFI,

In the UK the Renogy inverter version we get , (230v), does not have the GFI, but still contains the warnings not to bond neutral to PE.
Since any permanent install in a RV (in the UK) needs a RCD ( GFI ) on the inverter output, to meet regulations, the workaround is to make the bond at the inverter and ignore the Renogy warnings.

For the trip to occur in your system it suggests there is some path from hot to PE. Disconnecting all AC consumers and reconnecting in turn may identify the problem. Top suspect would be the AC to DC power unit.

I followed the procedure of removing GFCI plug from my Renogy 2000 Watt inverter by cutting off the line with a nipper, and I am happy to report that now everything works flawlessly as intended. Thanks for your post!!! Much Appreciated.

 

[dopeassjackson]

I have had new and bad Gfci outlets before.

 

[dkeitho]

Wish I could help, I have the same problem with my Renogy inverter (new edition PGH1). These seem to have incredibly sensitive GFCI's on them. If I plug my the inverter into my shore panel plug then turn on the inverter the gfci trips. If I turn on the inverter first, then plug into the shore power plug it works. Don't really want to have to go out in the rain to plug and unplug everytime I want the inverter on so not a feasible workaround for me. Keep in mind everything in the trailer works fine pluged into a gfci protected circuit in my garage or pluged into a gfci protected generator. I to think it may be related to the fact the my model in unbonded and can't be bonded. I'm an electrical engineer so I'm not completely clueless on electrial issues an trouble shooting. There are lots of people who have just disabled the gfci which I might consider for my applicaiton but since the bonding problem can't be fixed I'm going to pass this on to someone who needs and unbonded inverter.
To add to the pain Renogy tech support is a completly worthless, I placed 6 calls over the last 2 weeks, was told my issue was being escalated and would get a call back, never happens, new promises and new story every day, it seems like they are just trying to give you the runaround till you give up, which I have. Horrible company and product. I'm getting rid of this Renogy garbage and buying a Progressive Dynamics and seeing if I can make it work. I like there converter and they seem like a little more reputable company than Renogy. Hope you have better success than I have.

 

[Brucey]

Can you try a neutral ground bonding plug? I'm planning on using one to get around a floating ground inverter from tripping a 50A GFCI breaker.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLZ8QKLV

 

[kike24]

Hi. I have a similar problem, but with a home installation. In my case, I'm using a small solar system to supply power with a Renogy 2000 inverter (the old version) only for what's necessary, instead of using a gas generator. I have an ATS with breakers for the selected circuits, which switch both live and neutral. If all breakers in the main panel are off and those in the ATS are on, here are no problems. But when the ones in the main panel are on, the GFCI in the inverter trips. In the case of a general outage, this won't be a problem. But I installed voltage detectors on both lines to activate the ATS because is very common in my area that only one of the live lines go out. I believe the problem is I'm introducing an additional N-G bond with the inverter and, if only one of the lines fail, the N-G bond at the main panel will create the fault. If I don't connect the inverter to any ground, everything works fine. But I'm worried the inverter is left unprotected. Should I disable the internal N-G bond of the inverter? If so, should the case ground be connected to a ground rod? Any suggestions will be appreciated.