How to Monitor an RV in Storage Remotely With an iPhone

[earlbenz]

I have to keep my RV in storage due to HOA rules. Nice facility, covered with 20 amp service to keep things charged. Problem is that their GFI's keep popping for no reasons. I think they are just worn out but the new owners aren't in a hurry to upgrade things.

What I had in mind was to leave an iPhone in the RV that is running the app that connects to the Firefly system which monitors everything. I need a preferably free app I can run on that iPhone and my iPhone that I carry all the time that would allow me to connect to my RV and check status of things remotely. I believe Android has something like this but I need it for iPhones. Has anyone successfully done this? Would love some ideas or solutions.

 

[PancakeBill]

I think I would pursue getting the GFI replaced.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

GFCIs don't "wear out". Nothing mechanical to wear - it's just an electronic circuit that measures amp flow in/out. Odds are that 20A circuit is shared by multiple Rvs and one or more of them has actual ground faults. That's not at all unusual in an RV (including yours). RV fridges are notorious for that, as are improperly wired inverters and faulty exterior outlets.

In an environment like that, you are at the mercy of all the others who share that 20A circuit.

 

[John From Detroit]

Not all RV's play nice with GFCI systems.
There may be a work around but it is non code and dangerous.

IF your converter is a plug in type like mine was get a 20-15 or is it 15-22 adapter and plug in JUST the converter see if that works. Charge the I-phone (OUCH way too expensive) off a 12 volt charger .

 

[TheBar]

I've been using a free app called Manything on an iPhone for about 10 years. I use Blink (like Ring) cameras outside my house and an iPhone inside the house. Manything is superior to most other cameras because it has sound detection. It will hear glass breaking or a smoke alarm. To me the house catching fire is worse than someone breaking in.

It will also will send you an email and/or a text if power is lost. It will continue running on the phone battery and notify you when power is restored.

There are similar apps like Alfred but I haven't had much success with them. The secret to any phone security app being reliable is to wipe the phone first so other apps don't interfere with the security app.

I bought a phone holder from Amazon and my phone is stuck to the top of my fridge with a good view of the kitchen and living room. Manything is free with no ads for 1 camera. Cloud storage and/or a 2nd camera is $3.99/
month.

 

[Rene T]

Can you run an extension cord from your rv to another outlet ?

 

[earlbenz]

I think I would pursue getting the GFI replaced.

I've reported it ands they put it on the maintenance/repair list.

 

[earlbenz]

GFCIs don't "wear out". Nothing mechanical to wear - it's just an electronic circuit that measures amp flow in/out. Odds are that 20A circuit is shared by multiple Rvs and one or more of them has actual ground faults. That's not at all unusual in an RV (including yours). RV fridges are notorious for that, as are improperly wired inverters and faulty exterior outlets.

In an environment like that, you are at the mercy of all the others who share that 20A circuit.

Fortunately, each site is on it's own breaker and not shared.