electric (breaker tripping)

[hjhilde]

Having an issue.....breaker gets hot and pops off......palomino puma 2014.....what could be the cause and the fix?

[SYE]

Originally Posted by hjhilde

Having an issue.....breaker gets hot and pops off......palomino puma 2014.....what could be the cause and the fix?

Depends on what is plugged in on that circuit, if it is the whole trailer plugging in at the pole, you have big issues, but it could be as simple as a screw into one of the cables causing a short.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Which breaker? On the pedestal or in the trailer? If in the trailer is it the main (30 amp) breaker or another one? What does it control? What does not work once it trips? It may be as simple as you are overloading it.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by hjhilde

Having an issue.....breaker gets hot and pops off......palomino puma 2014.....what could be the cause and the fix?

It would help in troubleshooting your issue, if you could provide more details, especially on exactly what circuit breaker is tripping.

The below is a copy and paste, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out RV'ing. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first (the basic RV electricity link), as you could just be overloading a circuit. Then read the water heater thread, to make sure you are not using the electric side, which also can cause a circuit overload.

As per the first link below:

Even with a 30 Amp service you need to be selective about what you are using. If you try to use too much the RV will let you know by tripping a breaker in the distribution box and hopefully no harm will be done. There is a short formula that may help you with this. 30 Amps X 120 Volts = 3600 watts. This is the total amount of power you can use before you overload the system. Think of it like this, with 3600 watts you could use 36 one hundred watt light bulbs. When you turn on the 37th light you will probably trip a breaker.

You can just peruse at your leisure:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest addition to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html


Hope this helps.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Which breaker? On the pedestal or in the trailer? If in the trailer is it the main (30 amp) breaker or another one? What does it control? What does not work once it trips? It may be as simple as you are overloading it.

it is the main one inside the trailer.....30 amp.....sometimes the air one trips without the main. if overload....what can be done to fix? want the air and normal things...can stop with the microwave.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by SYE

Depends on what is plugged in on that circuit, if it is the whole trailer plugging in at the pole, you have big issues, but it could be as simple as a screw into one of the cables causing a short.

it wasn't happening before so not thinking a screw...trailer is never moved.....does not pop outside plug....pops inside breaker

[doc73]

I have had a few breakers go bad in the trailer. They do wear out over time if they are over loaded, trip a lot or turned off and on manually. Often I end up wearing out my electric water heater breaker as I use it to turn it off and on.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by wmtire

It would help in troubleshooting your issue, if you could provide more details, especially on exactly what circuit breaker is tripping.

The below is a copy and paste, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out RV'ing. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first (the basic RV electricity link), as you could just be overloading a circuit. Then read the water heater thread, to make sure you are not using the electric side, which also can cause a circuit overload.

As per the first link below:

Even with a 30 Amp service you need to be selective about what you are using. If you try to use too much the RV will let you know by tripping a breaker in the distribution box and hopefully no harm will be done. There is a short formula that may help you with this. 30 Amps X 120 Volts = 3600 watts. This is the total amount of power you can use before you overload the system. Think of it like this, with 3600 watts you could use 36 one hundred watt light bulbs. When you turn on the 37th light you will probably trip a breaker.

You can just peruse at your leisure:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1527599

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

And the newest addition to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-133760.html


Hope this helps.

Is it possible to change a 30 AMP system in a trailer to a 50 AMP so I don't have these issues? if that is the problem....it is the main circuit breaker inside the trailer. 30 AMP

[KyDan]

Try turning off the electric water heater.
Switch it to LP.

And like mentioned don't run the microwave while the AC is running.

We tripped the 30 amp on the power post this past week.
Our fault.
The AC was running while we were heating some veggies in the microwave
for supper.

I turned off the water heater as a precaution but it normally does not
trip the main 30 even if the AC is running.

It -could- be a weak breaker.
I usually trip the one on the power post before the one in the trailer...
YMMV

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Try turning off the electric water heater.
Switch it to LP.

And like mentioned don't run the microwave while the AC is running.

We tripped the 30 amp on the power post this past week.
Our fault.
The AC was running while we were heating some veggies in the microwave
for supper.

I turned off the water heater as a precaution but it normally does not
trip the main 30 even if the AC is running.

It -could- be a weak breaker.
I usually trip the one on the power post before the one in the trailer...
YMMV

if weak breaker......just replace? considered that any how. Will try gas for hot water. seems like it just started this. Could it be from a lightening storm?

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by hjhilde

Is it possible to change a 30 AMP system in a trailer to a 50 AMP so I don't have these issues? if that is the problem....it is the main circuit breaker inside the trailer. 30 AMP

We have camped for well over 200 days in various 30 amp trailers.
The ONLY time we had any problem was when we ran the microwave AND
the roof AC at the same time.

You should not have a problem as long as you remember that rule.

If you are tripping your inside main 30 amp more than very seldom it's
possible it is weak or might be a loose connection.
Installing a new 30 amp breaker is both cheap and simple.
You can likely get one for less than $10 at a home store or even your
local hardware store.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by doc73

I have had a few breakers go bad in the trailer. They do wear out over time if they are over loaded, trip a lot or turned off and on manually. Often I end up wearing out my electric water heater breaker as I use it to turn it off and on.

I do turn it off often. Lots of suggestions about new breakers. Where do I get them? never replaced before. thank you for all info!

[Flybob]

As mentioned above, you need to determine if there is an electrical problem or if you are overloading the system and it is doing what it is supposed to do. Please let us know what you have running when it trips. Upgrading the TT to a 50A service can be done but will cost you some money. In addition depending on where you camp may not buy you anything, if you only have a 30A pedestal you will not gain anything. DO NOT replace the 30A main breaker with a larger one.

[rockfordroo]

You can get them at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, ACE.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by KyDan

We have camped for well over 200 days in various 30 amp trailers.
The ONLY time we had any problem was when we ran the microwave AND
the roof AC at the same time.

You should not have a problem as long as you remember that rule.

If you are tripping your inside main 30 amp more than very seldom it's
possible it is weak or might be a loose connection.
Installing a new 30 amp breaker is both cheap and simple.
You can likely get one for less than $10 at a home store or even your
local hardware store.

I will try a new one. It is often. No special breakers for campers? Just the same brand? and amp of course.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by hjhilde

I do turn it off often. Lots of suggestions about new breakers. Where do I get them? never replaced before. thank you for all info!

Why are you turning it off often? I don't think I've EVER turned mine off.

[KyDan]

UN-PLUG the trailer.
remove the face plate of the circuit breaker box.
the main 30 amp breaker has one wire under a screw.
Loosen the screw. Remove the wire.
The breaker most likely just rotates toward the side where the wire was
and then pulls out.

If you could ask a neighbor or friend who has done it I'd feel better.
It's pretty simple but I don't feel good trying to talk you through it.

Then you can take the breaker to the hardware store or Home Depot or
Menards or Lowes and ask them for a replacement.

It does not need to be the same brand- just the same type which is
single pole 30 amp.

Be careful out there!!!

Again UN PLUG THE POWER CORD from the power post!!!

There are MANY youtube videos on "how to replace a circuit breaker".

IF you do not feel comfortable doing this call a pro.
We are only suggesting what you might do. Any bad results are on you.
Call a pro if you have any doubts.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by Flybob

As mentioned above, you need to determine if there is an electrical problem or if you are overloading the system and it is doing what it is supposed to do. Please let us know what you have running when it trips. Upgrading the TT to a 50A service can be done but will cost you some money. In addition depending on where you camp may not buy you anything, if you only have a 30A pedestal you will not gain anything. DO NOT replace the 30A main breaker with a larger one.

How do I know if it is electrical or overload? Running the air and lights. I know not to run the microwave now. I do have 50 amp service on my pole. I do know NOT to replace with a larger breaker. Thank you for any info you can give me. I had another trailer with 50 amp and never had an issue. Would like that again.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by KyDan

UN-PLUG the trailer.
remove the face plate of the circuit breaker box.
the main 30 amp breaker has one wire under a screw.
Loosen the screw. Remove the wire.
The breaker most likely just rotates toward the side where the wire was
and then pulls out. Thank you so much. We are familiar with dealing with breakers but was not sure if needed to be same type. I do know same AMP though.

If you could ask a neighbor or friend who has done it I'd feel better.
It's pretty simple but I don't feel good trying to talk you through it.

Then you can take the breaker to the hardware store or Home Depot or
Menards or Lowes and ask them for a replacement.

It does not need to be the same brand- just the same type which is
single pole 30 amp.

Be careful out there!!!

Again UN PLUG THE POWER CORD from the power post!!!

There are MANY youtube videos on "how to replace a circuit breaker".

IF you do not feel comfortable doing this call a pro.
We are only suggesting what you might do. Any bad results are on you.
Call a pro if you have any doubts.

Thank you so much for info. I am familiar with much of it and am always careful. I was wondering about what kind of breakers though. Do know to get same AMP.

[hjhilde]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Why are you turning it off often? I don't think I've EVER turned mine off.

When we leave...I turn it off. It is at a permanent site. I turn the breaker off in the box.