Failed Circuit Breaker

[gjstacy]

On our last trip, we had a problem getting current into our coach at a park near Yakima. Thinking it was caused by a bad source at the site, we moved to a different site in the park (we were in still another site the night before with no problem). We were finally able to operate off of the Inverter for some of our needs and off of the shore power for others (TV & AC primarily), but our Inverter display never showed that it was detecting shore power. The circuit breaker had tripped and we could not get it to stay on. We took our rig to Aubrey's in Yakima the next day, and they discovered (after finally encountering the same problem) that the circuit breaker for the Inverter had gone bad.

We have double circuit breakers, and this one was 30amp for the Inverter and 20amp for the rear AC. He couldn't find a perfect match, but had a 30/15 on hand that he installed (15 barely covered the requirement for the rear AC, and it was HOT in Yakima...but it worked if we were careful). So, we came back home and looked at a couple of Home Depots and a couple of Loews...no 30/20 double breaker switches. This was followed by a series of phone calls until we finally found a source, which is:

Circuit Breaker Service
1300 N. 9th St, Bldg D
Modesto, CA 95350
209-491-5250

Hope this information proves helpful for someone.

[Jim A]

Is there a vendor or part number to go with it, or is the "30/20 double breaker" sufficient to find it?

Hopefully I will never need it, but every little bit of info helps. Thanks.

[gjstacy]

Hi Jim,

The Item Number for the 30/20 is BR2030, and description is TwinP 20/30A 120/240V CB. Of course, they would have other combinations as well. One interesting thing to note is that the 30 and 20 amp breakers are reversed from the original configuration, so the wires would need to be switched. But the one Aubrey installed was also that way, so they already switched our wiring, and John will just have to be sure he keeps the wires in the same location when he changes out this double breaker.

[gjstacy]

I apologize...I just realized that I failed to mention that the brand of our breakers (at least in our '07) is Cutler/Hammer.

[takepride]

Some Home Depots carry this breaker, all can order it. Any electrical supply place will carry it. If you want to sound like an electrician, just call it a "Cutler 20 amp and 30 amp twin". BTW several companies make a duplicate that will fit. Just make sure it says it will fit a Cutler or Sylvania (or Murray) circuit breaker box.

[dgerstel]

Most of us have a breaker that is not used, fridg, water heater, washer/dryer, Hydro Hot, etc. In an emergency, one can swap circuits around, using the unused breaker or use its space for a circuit breaker that is available where you are at. I would only do this if you know what you are doing and re-mark which circuit each breaker services.