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Del Monte · 07-02-2007, 07:25 AM

On a resent visit to Myrtle Beach staying at Ocean Lakes CG, we had to endure our main 30 amp breaker constantly tripping. We've dealt with this issue before. Mostly having too much drawing causing the problem. This time I was sure the problem stemmed from the CG itself. With only interior lights and the A/C running our service would shut off. After 3 trips to the plug in service post I called for CG service to have a look. After a very tired and overweight gentleman tested the service post he came to a conclusion that it was in my camper. So after once overs on all of the outlets and GFCI outlets, I could not find any problems. I first began to think the A/C was drawing too much, but the unit is only three years old. So I made plans to visit Home Depot for a new breaker for the A/C. I replaced it and all was well until the next afternoon. The same problem started up again. Totally PO'ed at this point I made another trip to Home Depot for a new 30 amp breaker. This time things seemed OK. And just to play it safe I told the wife to run her hair dryer and her curling irons on a regular extension cord and in the 20 amp plug on the service post. The rest of the vacation went without a hitch. Question, did replacing the 30 amp main breaker in the camper fix my problem, or was I dealing low voltage from the campground all along? Several times I noticed the breakers in the camper were very warm to the touch. That was my first indication it was low voltage and I was slowly burning up my breakers. Was I right or am I wrong? Thanks for the help.

Del

Del Monte · 07-02-2007, 07:25 AM

On a resent visit to Myrtle Beach staying at Ocean Lakes CG, we had to endure our main 30 amp breaker constantly tripping. We've dealt with this issue before. Mostly having too much drawing causing the problem. This time I was sure the problem stemmed from the CG itself. With only interior lights and the A/C running our service would shut off. After 3 trips to the plug in service post I called for CG service to have a look. After a very tired and overweight gentleman tested the service post he came to a conclusion that it was in my camper. So after once overs on all of the outlets and GFCI outlets, I could not find any problems. I first began to think the A/C was drawing too much, but the unit is only three years old. So I made plans to visit Home Depot for a new breaker for the A/C. I replaced it and all was well until the next afternoon. The same problem started up again. Totally PO'ed at this point I made another trip to Home Depot for a new 30 amp breaker. This time things seemed OK. And just to play it safe I told the wife to run her hair dryer and her curling irons on a regular extension cord and in the 20 amp plug on the service post. The rest of the vacation went without a hitch. Question, did replacing the 30 amp main breaker in the camper fix my problem, or was I dealing low voltage from the campground all along? Several times I noticed the breakers in the camper were very warm to the touch. That was my first indication it was low voltage and I was slowly burning up my breakers. Was I right or am I wrong? Thanks for the help.

Del

450Donn · 07-02-2007, 08:52 AM

How are you heating the water? An electric W/H element will draw LOTS of power when on. That combined with the AC and you were probably overloading the breaker

Del Monte · 07-02-2007, 02:19 PM

The W/H is propane fired but with the electric starter. I wouldn't think it would effect the power draw if it is only pulling amps only to fire the propane. Or am I wrong in that assumption?

Del

milt · 07-02-2007, 03:53 PM

I don't think the electric starter for the WH
would have much effect as it probably is 12 volt
Milt

Ray,IN · 07-02-2007, 04:57 PM

Yes, the water heater igniter is 12V, otherwise you could not heat water when dry camping
This is exactly why everyone should buy and use a voltmeter line monitor. They only cost about $19, and can save you the expense of replacing an air conditioner that was operated on low voltage. The warm breakers is a telltale sign of low voltage.

Lee C · 07-02-2007, 05:11 PM

What Ray said.

I've been in that situation a time or two and found that switching the fridge from electric to propane helps.

Happy camping.

Jeff_in_The_Dalles · 07-03-2007, 08:02 AM

In times where I've wanted to run the AC from an iffy power hookup, I've found that shutting down the converter/charger also helps.

Also put the fridge on propane and make sure the W/H isn't on 110...

Just remember to turn the converter back on once it's cool at night.

I also generally check the line voltage with a multi-meter whenever I fire up the AC.

xc-mark · 07-04-2007, 05:29 AM

Hot breakers can be a clue that the breaker is going bad or over loaded ! line voltage is one of the things you must know if your having issues, get a meter of some kind for next time ! If you see the voltage under 105 vac with stuff running not start up your at the edge of where you need to remove some load .

Ray,IN · 07-04-2007, 10:42 AM

The industry standard for 120VAC circuits is + or - 10%. This means anything over 130VAC or under 108VAC is causing damage to inductive loads(electric motors, compressors,etc). Electrical Engineering calculators

Del Monte · 07-04-2007, 04:02 PM

OK. So a volt meter should be a nessessary tool in the TT during our travels? Then if I have excessive breaker tripping and find it's the fault of the CG because of low voltage, then I should rest easy and take steps by switching some appliances to propane. Sounds easy enough. I guess then I could complain to the main desk then......NAUGHT! I've been to three different CG's that have forewarned us about breakers tripping because of US....using too much power. I guess they are trying to cover their butts for poor CG electricity currents. Would a switch from a 30 amp main to a 50 amp main in my TT help at all? Of course I know I'd need to convert my power cord plug as well.

Del

p.s. Thanks for the link Ray,IN

TXiceman · 07-04-2007, 05:30 PM

It is always easier to place the blame somewhere else rather than fix the problem. Older parks have marginal wiring because they were added onto without much thought.

Our trailer is a 30 amp, and sometimes I find the by using the 50 amp lug and the 50 to 30 adapter, I can get a bit more voltage.

Ken