GFCI Trips at the dock receptacle

[DSELR]

My marina operator just came through on a very old dock and installed GFCI receptacles. When I connect my boat, the GFCI trips. This does not happen when my neighbors try connecting to the same receptacle.

I've checked one of the sockets inside the boat and the polarity is correct.

From here I need some trouble shooting tips.

 

[Jan11]

Start by energizing your boat with your neighbor's power cord. See if the problem is your power cord.

 

[Dantodd]

Try your neighbor's cord connected to his dock box outlet first to make sure your GFCI was properly installed. If you confirm the problem is on your boat check to make sure you don't have the neutral (white) line bonded to the ground on your boat. If the AC ground and neutral are connected after the GFCI it will trip.

 

[whatfiero]

gfci at dock receptacle

it's the polarity light on your AC panel inside boat if its an incandescent bulb the gfci is sencing the load and tripping I had to replace mine with the newer led light

 

[bria46]

If you have any GFCIs on your boat, the on the dock will trip. GFCIs tied down stream from one another don't like it.

 

[Benny17441]

Yes, bria46 is correct. Had some isssues with the battery charger tripping the ac breaker on a private dock. I consulted a licensed electrician with experience in marine dock installations and after asking a few questions he recommended we pull the GFCI breaker. Problem solved. It was his experience that GFCI on docks did not really provide any protection and were the cause for many conflicts with boat components. I do keep GFCI outlets on the boat to protect when using appliances.

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you have any GFCIs on your boat, the on the dock will trip. GFCIs tied down stream from one another don't like it.

Good point. That's a much better explanation of why they say that you only need ONE GFCI to protect downstream in any circuit.