Community Forums

Rusty years · 12-10-2013, 02:44 PM

In the California desert, making dinner, a little chilly, we plug in little heater, does a great job, but then I use electric fry pan, and toaster oven at the same time. Guess what, tv went off, and so did receiver, no toaster oven, or fry pan, I overloaded with heated appliances. We checked gfi in bathroom, no problem, also refrigerator is off and all outlets. The breaker box in bedroom shows no breakers tripped, and fuses are good. Then hubby goes out to check inverter, we find it has breakers, with one push, everything goes back on, thank god. We are learning so much about this rig after full timing in it for a year and a half. Hope this info will help someone else with this problem.

Bigd9 · 12-10-2013, 02:55 PM

Its funny how fast you can overload a circuit, isn't it? Just be happy there are such things as electrical circuit breakers. Glad you are safe and sound, and you learned two valuable lessons. One is the lesson on where the inverter breakers are located, and two is that it is possible to trip them. At least now you know they work!

Thanks for the heads up and Enjoy Supper!!!

336muffin · 12-10-2013, 03:09 PM

Been there done that!

wa8yxm · 12-10-2013, 03:56 PM

DO YOU HAVE... An inverter?

Many coaches the kitchen outlet is inverter powered if you do not have other sources, (Mine is one such) and if this is the case then the inverter is also protected by breakers, Now mine are in a cabinet in a "Sub panel" hidden in a place many would not think to look (though it's right behind the main breaker box), the other side of the same interior wall) but in many cases they are on the inverter, and usualy the inverter is installed so as to make them very hard to see.

"007" · 12-10-2013, 04:02 PM

If you have a inverter for TV & DVD player and plugged into a outlet up front that outlet maybe off that inverter possibly located in compartment below passenger side.
That inverter has a GFI outlet that needs to reset.
Do not use heater or hair dryer in that outlet you will trip it every time.

Walter5555 · 12-10-2013, 04:26 PM

I am assuming that you are using your Gen. Set.
If so. why did you not us your stove top to cook on and your propane heater instead of the Elect. Heater that way you would not flip any breaker.

Just a thought.

phays · 12-10-2013, 04:40 PM

Rusty,
It would help to know your motorhome year and make/model.

I have a 2000 Country Coach Magna. All of my outlets and the microwave are powered through the inverter. There are two circuit breakers to the inverter in my main breaker box. However, there are two 20 amp breakers in an auxiliary box in the first bay on the passenger side that protect the outlets and the microwave. So, in addition to the breakers on the inverter, I have these two other breakers.

Rusty years · 12-10-2013, 08:06 PM

The furnace vents are in front of my kitchen and heats up my legs, much easier to cook with electric fry pan instead of the gas. Toaster oven was toasting the rolls.

BFlinn181 · 12-10-2013, 09:45 PM

Be aware that not only are there breakers in your service panel and on the inverter, but on the generator too. Also, loading up the GFI circuits can cause them to prematurely die or trip. If you've checked the CB and it's not tripped, try the GFI reset switch. Most of the time one GFI will have additional outlets connected to it so you'll have to hunt to find the proper GFI if you haven't mapped them out.