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Old 12-09-2019, 08:38 PM   #1
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50 amp ... why does my breaker pop 2008 Sierra 345RET

Yes I’m a RV newb. I am hooked up to 50 amp. I cannot run a space heater and the microwave at the same time. Why?
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Old 12-09-2019, 08:48 PM   #2
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Both on same leg of the 50 amp?
Need more info.
Watts on micro,
Watts on heater,
What else is on at the time,
Water heater
Converter,
Etc.
Can you check amp draw on each leg to see what you draw?
Could be as simple as weak breaker(s) or you are overloading one leg and popping both.
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Old 12-09-2019, 08:52 PM   #3
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Need a little more information.

1. what breaker is tripping
2. Is the micro wave and heater plugged into same circuit

Even though you have 50amp service individual circuits have a lower amp ratting and it appears you may be overloading that circuit.
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Old 12-09-2019, 08:55 PM   #4
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OK, Lets work on this. Microwave and spaceheater may be on same breaker, but that shouldn't trip a 50 amp main. Is this hooked up in a park, or at home? If in park, could be the breaker is worn out. Same for home. Most RVs have a ganged 25 amp for the main inside. Which is tripping? Also, check your outside supply cord and the ends. Are they hot to the touch?

Give us some info on your rig and setting.
Perhaps the water heater, furnace and the converter pulling amps at the same time.

Let us know please.
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Old 12-09-2019, 09:04 PM   #5
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OP did not say what breaker was tripping. That's why more information is needed.
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Old 12-09-2019, 09:18 PM   #6
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Plug your space heater into another receptacle, preferably on the opposite wall or far from the microwave. Is it a camper breaker tripping, or the pedestal breaker? You may have water heater, microwave and space heater all pulling from one leg of the 50.
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Old 12-09-2019, 09:37 PM   #7
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Probably because the leg that the space heater and microwave are on also have other things running, whether you turn them on or not.........TV, refrigerator, fan, hair dryer, etc. Add it all up and it trips breaker.

That's why I added a marinco plug and inside receptacle and run space heaters or coffee pots off of a separate 20amp extension cord.
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Old 12-10-2019, 12:36 AM   #8
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I bought my trailer used. I know just enough about electrical to get me in trouble. I have found, when looking at a breaker box (previously owned) things are never marked properly, ie this trailer does not have a generator but there appears to be a breaker for one.

The second from the top (and sometimes the 2 top) breakers flip.

I live in a park.

It seems that everything in the living/kitchen area on the (drivers side) of the trailer are running off the same breaker. I cannot use the space heater (or fireplace) and use anything else that has a decent draw. Microwave, coffee pot (I haven’t tried to use anything else out of fear I will screw something up).Click image for larger version

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ID:	220364Attachment 1. Excuse the mess! Went from an approx 2,000 sq ft home to me trailer and I am still purging. The last set of photos are of the side that keeps tripping the breaker.
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Old 12-10-2019, 12:37 AM   #9
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Not sure why they didn’t all attach
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Old 12-10-2019, 01:21 AM   #10
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“Gen” usually means “general outlets” not generator. Took me way too long to figure that out than I like to admit.

But yes, a space heater is usually 1500 watts. Watts divided by volts gives you amps = 1500 watts / 120 volts = 12.5 amps.

It’s connected to a 15amp breaker which means, there is almost nothing left over for anything else to run on that circuit breaker.
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Old 12-10-2019, 06:48 AM   #11
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Oh! Well now I know about “gen.” Thank you. Is there anything I can do to help alleviate some of the burden to that breaker?
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Old 12-10-2019, 07:06 AM   #12
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You would think that a 50 amp system could never be overloaded on a leg, but it can be.

We found out one day the DW was washing and drying clothes on a hot day and tried to also run the convection oven. And the water heater. And the converter. And the tv. And lord knows what else.

One leg overloaded. Check leg loads. Or ems does this.
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Old 12-10-2019, 08:13 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Merlin80232 View Post
Yes I’m a RV newb. I am hooked up to 50 amp. I cannot run a space heater and the microwave at the same time. Why?
leave the breaker that trips OFF now go find one you can plug the heater in that works. problem solved.
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Old 12-10-2019, 08:19 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by AFDON View Post
OK, Lets work on this. Microwave and spaceheater may be on same breaker, but that shouldn't trip a 50 amp main. Is this hooked up in a park, or at home? If in park, could be the breaker is worn out. Same for home. Most RVs have a ganged 25 amp for the main inside. Which is tripping? Also, check your outside supply cord and the ends. Are they hot to the touch?

Give us some info on your rig and setting.
Perhaps the water heater, furnace and the converter pulling amps at the same time.

Let us know please.
Not so. There is no MOST involved here. SOME RV's have 30 amp 120 volt services. SOME Rv's have 50 amp 120/240 volt services. GANGED 50's as you call it.

NO RV's have a ganged 25 amp service. If you have seen one will you please post a picture of it.
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Old 12-10-2019, 09:06 AM   #15
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You say that the second breaker from the top trips when you run the heater and the microwave? If that's the case it appears that someone has either rewired the system or has moved where the microwave is plugged into, as there's a separate breaker labeled Micro (Microwave). From the looks of the panel it looks to have been rewired, so no telling what has been done.

If I were you, I'd get in touch with an electrician friend and see if they'll take a look at the system. There may be a way to add or separate a circuit so that you can run multiple things.
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Old 12-10-2019, 09:08 AM   #16
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If I were you, I'd get in touch with an electrician friend and see if they'll take a look at the system. There may be a way to add or separate a circuit so that you can run multiple things.
Agreed.

I also agree with Cavie for a short-term workaround (breaker off and find one that works).
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Old 12-10-2019, 09:49 AM   #17
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leave the breaker that trips OFF now go find one you can plug the heater in that works. problem solved.
Did this throughout my entire motorhome to see what feeds from what. I have 8”x10” paper attached to the inside of the breaker panel to DETAIL outlet by outlet what breaker controls what. Those little labels on your panel don’t leave enough room to detail your wiring.
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Old 12-10-2019, 11:00 AM   #18
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leave the breaker that trips OFF now go find one you can plug the heater in that works. problem solved.


Duh!! Why didn’t I think of that! That’s a great idea! Thank you very much
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Old 12-10-2019, 11:02 AM   #19
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Did this throughout my entire motorhome to see what feeds from what. I have 8”x10” paper attached to the inside of the breaker panel to DETAIL outlet by outlet what breaker controls what. Those little labels on your panel don’t leave enough room to detail your wiring.


[emoji106] Great idea! I know these questions seem very silly to some of you but as stated before, I am still learning
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Old 12-10-2019, 11:13 AM   #20
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[emoji106] Great idea! I know these questions seem very silly to some of you but as stated before, I am still learning
None of your questions seem silly ---- especially after seeing the wire nest in the 2nd pic of post #8!! Yikes!
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