A/C

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 08:14 PM

Help someone. Bought new Forest River Work and Play 8 weeks ago in Florida. We're doing our yearly trip to Oregon but stopped today to spend a week with friends in Boulder City and our A/C keeps throwing breaker. Called Forest River and no one calls back. Called several RV stores that sell their product around Vegas and no one will help. We've never had to deal with this before. We need advice. Thank you

**Mr. Dan** · 07-27-2016, 08:17 PM

Throws which breaker... internal to W&P or campground pedestal?
Is this a 30amp unit or 50amp?
What else is running? Microwave, electric water heater, hairdryer, etc.?

You called "Forest River" or the W&P division?

Toddupton · 07-27-2016, 08:18 PM

Need more info. Does the breaker trip instantly or does it take time. Is the wiring to the breaker tight.

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 08:22 PM

It throws breaker inside. It's 3 o. I called work and lay. My keypad on iPhone not working right. Sorry. We are so frustrated.

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 08:24 PM

It trips within minutes. I'll have my husband ck wiring to breaker

**Mr. Dan** · 07-27-2016, 08:29 PM

The breaker itself might be faulty. I've read here some are sorry!

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 08:31 PM

Ok are they hard to change?

caper · 07-27-2016, 08:35 PM

If you are tripping the 30 amp breaker then the problem is not the A/C. You are drawing too many amps. Is the water heater on propane or 120 volts. If on electric change over to propane.

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 08:44 PM

We have water heater on propane and only turned lights on. It's tripping the 20 amp breaker for the AC

TURBS · 07-27-2016, 08:53 PM

I'd start with the breaker and put a new one in.
Very simple to do.

2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"
2016 nights camped "14"

KansasFR3 · 07-27-2016, 08:53 PM

Does it share the same CB as the 30 amp? Ours would trip because the 30 amp would get warm, causing the 20 amp breaker that it shares (AC) to trip. You can goto Lowes/Home Depot and get another 20/20 tandem breaker ($8) and add it to your distribution panel. It basically snaps in once you have the cover off. Move the AC wire over to the new CB and button it back up. Just make sure you have everything turn off before you go poking around in the CB panel. Hope it works and its not something else. Also can try to shut everything off on your CB panel except the 30 amp incoming and the 20 amp AC breaker. It should run unless there is something wrong with the AC or CB.

Merrymary · 07-27-2016, 09:03 PM

Where can we get one?? Lowes???@

purduepete97 · 07-27-2016, 09:09 PM

Yes, or Home Depot, any big box home improvement store. Would take your old one out and take to store w you so you get the right brand as different brands don't fit into other brand panels.

Asrabbit · 07-28-2016, 08:31 AM

I am sure someone could help you walk through taking you old breaker out over the phone. Do you have skype? You can send me a message and I would be happy to get on the phone with you and help you get the old one out.

**Mr. Dan** · 07-28-2016, 08:40 AM

If a new breaker doesn't solve your issue, your next step might be to blame your A/C unit. Not all units are created equal.

joshuajim · 08-15-2016, 01:21 PM

Tripping after several minutes many times is caused by incorrectly tightened connections getting hot which increases resistance and current draw. The loose connection could be at the breaker or at the connection to the A/C.

Note that if it "gets hot" that could result in a fire.

Being a licensed general contractor since 1979, I would first check the tightness of the connection at the breaker. Next, I would replace the breaker. Many panels for residential use are only listed for the brand of breaker which was originally installed. Try to match the brand (Eaton, Siemens, GE etc.). Almost all will fit and work properly, but technically is non-compliant if a different brand is used that is not listed by the manufacturer of the panel (again in residential work). I don't know what RVIA standard require.

If the replacement breaker still pops, then next I would check the connections at the A/C. This may not be within your skill level.

Hope you can fix this with a simple tightening of a connector or new breaker.

Thurman · 08-18-2016, 10:13 AM

joshuajim has a good point in checking the tightness of the screw on the breaker holding the wire. At some point it would be a good idea to have someone check the amperage draw of the air conditioner when running. Mr. Dan's statement is correct in that some RV A/C units have problems from day one period. Yours could be pulling more amps than necessary to run. IF you can find someone to measure the amperage draw see if they can check the actual start up load. This is different than the running amp draw.

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