AC popping fuse.

[darencasey]

Bought a used 2009 Wildcat. Love the rig. Last year we were using the account and the fuse started popping. Let it 'cool' off and it would go any where from q5-60 minutes. Thought maybe it was just dirty power. Made sure everything else was off but still the same.
Previous owner separated main fuse to separate account on own 20amp circuit, not fuse.
Replaced it over winter ....just in case.

At a different campground this year and same thing happened.

Hoping it's not a unit replacement..
Any ideas??
Thanks in advance
Daren

[TURBS]

Sounds like something in the a/c is drawing to many amps.
You'll need to have it tested.
When you say fuse you mean circuit breaker correct?


2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[darencasey]

Correct, circuit breaker.

[SeaDog]

Two things that need to be checked incoming power should be close to 120V and running amps on your AC unit. AS they get older they tend to draw more amps. an electrical motor can draw as much as 3 time the running amps on start up so if you unit is running at the max amps already it may pop the circuit breaker when it cycles.

[TURBS]

Depending on the unit, heat and humidity it should be drawing around 12-14 amps after running for a few minutes.


2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[Brother Les]

Do you have anything else 'plugged in' to your 110 outlets (example, fans or cooking skillets) and or do you have so many 12v systems going that your converter is 'charging' full blast?

Keep the rest of your 'electrical/12v' usage to a minimum for a while and see what happens.

We have been in campgrounds on very hot days and 'breakers' are popping in a lot of RVs and the main breaker to the Campground blow in one. Campground hosts came around and asked everyone to keep their power usage as low as possibly needed.

[Mars]

Things will get loose on a 6 year old unit. Check the simple stuff first: Wires and connections at ac unit, wires and connections at the fuse/breaker panel. If those are good an amp meter to check draw as others suggested would be my next move. Every now and then you get a weak or damaged breaker the trips under the designed rating.

[Too Tall]

Is the breaker tripping on AC startup? Starting amps on a 13,5K BTU AC can be 30 amps or so. Invest in a AC/DC clip-on amp meter. The amp meter is the only real way to see what's going on.

[northstar1960]

the start capacitor could be going bad causing the compressor to draw more amps at start up . they do make a quick start capacitor easy change out /add on

[Too Tall]

Yes, I added a hard start and a time delay.

https://youtu.be/NVkCjPh7Nd8

[Kuba]

Originally Posted by Too Tall

Is the breaker tripping on AC startup? Starting amps on a 13,5K BTU AC can be 30 amps or so. Invest in a AC/DC clip-on amp meter. The amp meter is the only real way to see what's going on.

X2 , hard start is a temporary bandaid

[darencasey]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like some of this may be past my comfort zone. I did try some of the suggestions, everything else off, different weather conditions, even different camp grounds... it still pops the circuit breaker after 30-60 minutes depending on outside tempature. Frustrating the previous owner separated the circuit breaker, 20amp, but originally the account was on the main circuit, 30amp. I'll have to get up top to see what unit is installed, may not be original.

Thanks again everyone. Great suggestions and ideas...
Daren

[darencasey]

I'm hoping this was the cause..
thanks again for all of the input!!

[Iwannacamp]

OMG. Run for the hills!!!!


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[Simplewon]

Wow, hope that's an empty next. I'd hate to take that cover off and see that. I'd probably jump and break a few bones.

Thats probably not causing the issue. Run it off a 50 to 30 amp adapter and see how it does. Local rv dealers or camping world. I've even seen them in walmart. The heavier duty, the better. http://amzn.com/B000RLPNLI