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Old 02-02-2017, 08:26 AM   #1
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Pedestal 30 amp Breaker

Turned on the ac and left for about an hour to get groceries, got back and no electricity. The pedestal beaker had tripped.
Nothing on in windjammer except refrigerators, air cond., and water heater.

I have the standard 6 cu ft fridge and a dorm sized fridge sitting on the counter. Not sure how they could have tripped the breaker, wondering if I have a weak breaker at the pedestal.

We've tripped the main in the trailer before when ac, water heater, and microwave all came on at the same time so we try not to run the microwave just after taking showers.

Asking for advice. My next unit will be 50 amps.
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Old 02-02-2017, 08:46 AM   #2
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For 20 bucks you can get a 30 to 50 amp dogbone. Lets you bypass the old and worn 30 amp plugs. Your coach is still protected at 30 amps, but the pedestal will give you 50 before tripping.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:20 AM   #3
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Have one but forgot it at home 1100 miles away.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:24 AM   #4
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Have one but forgot it at home 1100 miles away.
Walmart
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:56 AM   #5
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If you don't have a power protection unit that shuts off at under and over voltage, could also be the incoming voltage had a sag. I have had the EMS shut off power a few times for low voltage. But the one time I tripped a breaker it has been the one on the WJ, the pedestal has not tripped on me yet. I would put my money on the Pedestal breaker being weak. X2 on the 50amp service.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:56 AM   #6
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Your last sentence said it all,manage and live with your 30,next time go 50! Youroo!!
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:57 AM   #7
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If you had your water heater on electric, it's totally conceivable that if your water was heating and a/c kicked in and fridges running at same time, that could trip the breaker....I have gotten in the habit of leaving water heater on propane if it's warm enough that the a/c will be running.
I do like the idea of plugging into the less used 50 amp outlets with an adaptor though....I may just start doing that.
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Old 02-02-2017, 02:32 PM   #8
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X2. Too much on too little.
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Old 02-02-2017, 02:32 PM   #9
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breaker issue

I'm not an electrician, but breakers get weak. Could be an issue with the pedestal breaker that caused it to trip before your house main breaker.
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Old 02-02-2017, 02:43 PM   #10
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x2 on using 50 if available. If the pedestal has 50, use a 50-30 dogbone.
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Old 02-02-2017, 02:59 PM   #11
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I have found in more RV parks that the 30amp breaker fails to often. Not just by my usage but observation to others. Not yet found a 50amp breaker fail. I have had to use (and never a problem with it) the "Dog bone reducer" on more than one occasion. Additionally, I have had to run a extension to the empty lot for power because total loss of power to the pole. So now I carry a 30amp extension cord too.
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Old 02-02-2017, 03:07 PM   #12
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yes, we've seen a few 'weak' breakers - one especially remembered from Croton Point Park on the Hudson - all sites were 30a, and no breakers on the post, but all breakers for sites were on several 'main panel' posts in areas of the park. after our electricity went off, I found none of my own breakers tripped, but there was also NO breaker on the post.
After finally finding a park employee, he informed me quickly that they have problems like that frequently and have to find which main post the breaker for my site is on, and reset it. he also agreed that it was probably a breaker that was tripping too quickly.
at least now I knew where the breaker was : )
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Old 02-02-2017, 03:32 PM   #13
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Another thing you can try is to unplug your trailer and then flip the breaker on and off a number of times to "freshen" it up a bit. Then turn it back on and plug in your trailer. Not that it works all the time, but, it has worked for me with our WJammer.
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Old 02-02-2017, 08:47 PM   #14
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As FD said, if you have both the A/C on and water heater on electric, you can trip a braker. Note attached "Before you blow your Breaker" Also, when it hot outside w/high humidity, during the day, keep your A/C fan on high. The fan will run all the time, compressor will only run when needed. At night turn the fan back to auto. Your A/C will be a lot more efficient and will not ice up.
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File Type: pdf Before you Blow Your Breaker010.pdf (749.1 KB, 47 views)
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Old 02-02-2017, 08:53 PM   #15
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Regular problem where I camp. The park rangers carry new breakers in bulk on their golf carts as they drive around and patrol. Heavy use and getting tripped all the time i assume shorten their life.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:26 PM   #16
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[QUOTE=5picker;1412385]

Walmart

QUOTE]

That and turn off the darn water heater in the meantime.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:33 PM   #17
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Yep, the electric water heater element uses about 12 amps when it's energized. It's explained in this thread:


http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988
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Old 02-02-2017, 11:56 PM   #18
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Pedestal 30 amp Breaker

Add up your amp draw from A/C, electric water heater and the AC refrig and then you'll know it wasn't a "weak breaker." Not that there aren't such things but you almost certainly were on overload and the trusty breaker protected your unit. I learned this the hard way too.
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Old 02-03-2017, 12:03 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Add up your amp draw from A/C, electric water heater and the AC refrig and then you'll know it wasn't a "weak breaker." Not that there aren't such things but you almost certainly were on overload and the trusty breaker protected your unit. I learned this the hard way too.
Not saying your wrong, every RV is going to be a little different and don't forget the Converter/Battery Charger too. But, we ran all summer with A/C, Electric Water Heater, 2 fridges without ever tripping the breaker. The only time we have tripped a breaker was when we ran the microwave with all those things on.
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Old 02-03-2017, 12:11 AM   #20
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I'm thinking of getting one of these: Micro-Air - Products

Watching their video shows how much current the AC pulls at startup. Was originally interested because it looks like you can get the AC running on a single 2K genny. I've seen this claim in several threads on multiple forums. Based on this thread, it could end up be useful more often.
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