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09-12-2020, 10:50 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
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Air Conditioner Tripping Breaker
Our camper (2021 Micro Lite 22FBS) is only a few weeks old and been used almost full time those few weeks. Today, when the AC compressor kicks on, after a few minutes the breaker trips. Things we know and have tried (and yes, I read related posts I could find on this forum) :
- This happens with nothing (not even lights, no water heater, nothing) else running
- We are on shore power (dedicated 30A box on personal property)
- Weather has actually been cooler the last few days (south Texas)
- Tried shutting it all down and starting back up, no fix.
- All cables and plugs are good
- Breakers are fine as long as AC isn't running (fans, water heater, lights, you name it)
Again, we've been living full time in it for weeks, zero issue. Now we're without AC and that won't work during the day... can't take it to a shop, have no way to move it. Besides, wait times are so long and we need to live in it.
Brand new, only a few weeks in and this. Help!!
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09-12-2020, 11:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: KS
Posts: 2,369
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Which breaker is tripping?
Pole 30A, trailer main 30A, trailer A/C 20A?
I suspect a weak breaker somewhere but it "should" not happen on a new trailer. Does not mean that is not the issue.
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09-13-2020, 12:48 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerbyBailey
Again, we've been living full time in it for weeks, zero issue. Now we're without AC and that won't work during the day... can't take it to a shop, have no way to move it. Besides, wait times are so long and we need to live in it.
!
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Sounds like you need a mobile mechanic. Contact Forest River Warranty Dept and get the name of a mobile mechanic. You might have to pay and get reimbursed. Most major appliances are covered by the manufacturer's warranty for a new unit like yours.
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2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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09-13-2020, 08:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,401
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Does the breaker trip immediately? Try just running the fan by itself and see if it still trips? Can isolate the issue between the fan or compressor, Can you access the roof ? Pull the cover and see if anything looks odd.
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09-13-2020, 08:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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Sounds like we'll have to wait for a reply as to "Which" breaker is tripping, the camper or the pole.
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09-13-2020, 11:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82
Sounds like we'll have to wait for a reply as to "Which" breaker is tripping, the camper or the pole.
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Also what is meant by "nothing running". What about Converter? Was it switched off too? How about refrigerator?
If batteries are down the converter can be drawing up to 1,000 watts and if the refrigerator could be drawing up to 300 watts for the heating element in the "boiler" (Electric/Propane model).
Add that "overhead" to a system that may be loaded down due to hot weather and the starting current for an A/C unit can strain a 30 amp breaker.
One other possibility, if the breaker on the power pole is the culprit is it sitting in the sun? Breakers are 'de-rated" as their operating temperature is increased.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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09-13-2020, 11:27 AM
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#7
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GOODBYE SUIT - HELLO RV!!
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 432
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YES to mobile mechanic - Forest River
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird
Sounds like you need a mobile mechanic. Contact Forest River Warranty Dept and get the name of a mobile mechanic. You might have to pay and get reimbursed. Most major appliances are covered by the manufacturer's warranty for a new unit like yours.
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DEFINITELY call your dealership - ours has a mobile mechanic that comes out at no additional charge and the work gets done much faster than making an appointment to bring it in. An AC failure in just two weeks, that should be covered under general warranty, not even having to go through your appliance warranty. It does sound like an electrical issue anyway so a mobile mechanic can trace, advise, repair.
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LIVE-LOVE-CAMP
2019 Rockwood 2104s w/Equalizer 4-point WDH
2017 Ford Expedition 4WD 3.5L TwinTurbo V6 w/Heavy Duty Tow Pkg (Artemis)
2017 Ford Mustang GT Premium California Special Convertible (The Beast)
2006 Ford Mustang 3.0 V6 Convertible (Lil' Blue)
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09-13-2020, 11:40 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
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Ok, I think some of these were addressed in the original post, but I'll re-post here:
- Everything is off. Fridge, battery connection, water heater. 100% of everything. Off. The only thing running is fan and A/C. When compressor kicks on, within a 1-2 minutes the 20A A/C breaker inside the camper trips.
- I can run everything BUT the compressor and it works fine. Fans, lights, water heater, fridge.
- We have been living in 100 degree heat for weeks with EVERYTHING running. Zero problems. Randomly, yesterday, in 80 degree weather the tripping started. Wasn't even in the camper. Ran through all the shut down/turn EVERYTHING off, restart, etc. 20A A/C breaker inside camper trips every time.
- My dealer is in Colorado Springs. Camper is in south Texas. Dealer doesn't have mobile mechanic.
- I am fully aware this will be covered by warranty. The problem is there's a backlog at every dealership for repairs and we need to live in it now (Nov or later). If it's a simple fix, I'd like to knock that out ASAP. Even mobile mechanics are at least a week out. And the ones I've called seem to think we don't have everything off. Worse, the dealer tech did a via-phone walkthrough and thinks the compressor is bad or there's a grounding wire problem somewhere.
- The "pole" in this case is a brand new, dedicated 30A box. It's on my in-law's property, installed the day we parked the camper (weeks ago - and we've been using it daily). That breaker is NOT tripping.
- All connections are solid.
Apologies for slow response and appreciate everyone's input. I'm still figuring out notifications for this forum so didn't see your posts until now.
Thanks again and look forward to any other insight.
__________________
Eric
2021 Micro Lite 22 FBS
First. Camper. Ever.
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09-13-2020, 11:55 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerbyBailey
Worse, the dealer tech did a via-phone walkthrough and thinks the compressor is bad or there's a grounding wire problem somewhere..
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Well.... that's a disturbing diagnosis. If that's the case, you're toast (perhaps literally as you're baking in our heat).
With the breaker tripping inside the unit and not on the post, you're probably not going to be able to fix this yourself unless it's a faulty ground and you're able to trace it. That can be a dangerous situation if you don't know what you're doing.
I hate to suggest it, but you may want to consider buying a portable ac unit. Texas heat is dangerous and since you're full timing, you really need an ac.
__________________
2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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09-13-2020, 11:57 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
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Measure voltage at 30 amp plug if it is close to 120 volts with nothing on. Start AC and measure voltage again, it should stay above app. 105 volts while compressor running. You might just have low voltage supply and why it takes a few minutes for breaker to trip. Low voltage will create higher current needed at compressor to run.
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Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
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09-13-2020, 11:59 AM
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#11
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GOODBYE SUIT - HELLO RV!!
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 432
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerbyBailey
Ok, I think some of these were addressed in the original post, but I'll re-post here:
- My dealer is in Colorado Springs. Camper is in south Texas. Dealer doesn't have mobile mechanic.
- The "pole" in this case is a brand new, dedicated 30A box. It's on my in-law's property, installed the day we parked the camper (weeks ago - and we've been using it daily). That breaker is NOT tripping.
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OK, these two points maybe help...
1) Any FR dealership can do warranty work, perhaps one closer to you has a mobile mechanic? Maybe you already tried that, not sure, so I mention it here.
2) New 30amp pole... well, when I had my 30amp pole installed at my house to support the camper, the electrician (yes he was actually a certified electrician) installed the wrong type of 30amp outlet - it was designed for a household dryer, not an RV. And the result was popping the AC camper breaker every time I turned on the AC. The RV 30amp circuit for an RV is different than what a standard electrician would be accustomed to installing. They type you need should be clearly labeled on your power cord and/or outlet cover on your RV. Maybe that's it?
__________________
LIVE-LOVE-CAMP
2019 Rockwood 2104s w/Equalizer 4-point WDH
2017 Ford Expedition 4WD 3.5L TwinTurbo V6 w/Heavy Duty Tow Pkg (Artemis)
2017 Ford Mustang GT Premium California Special Convertible (The Beast)
2006 Ford Mustang 3.0 V6 Convertible (Lil' Blue)
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09-13-2020, 12:06 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,331
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I had a similar issue recently where the internal breaker was tripping. It was really hot where we were in Kansas and the park was full. I found that the pedestal voltage was low and the amp draw was really high. All I had running was the fridge, the converter, my satellite dish and the AC. I could tell there was a problem from the sound of the AC compressor. When it cooled down that evening everything was fine.
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09-13-2020, 12:12 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
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A few more ideas.
Can you measure the 120VAC voltage in the camper ( at an outlet) when the AC is running?
How long is the run to your new pole and what size wire was used?
Try shutting off power at Pole and then make sure the hot and neutral wires in the distribution panel are secure (tight). turn on pole again.
When the breaker trips is it hot?
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09-13-2020, 12:13 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 87
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Air Conditioner Tripping Breaker
What kind of water heater do you have? If it's a duel fuel, meaning Electric and LP, turn off the electric portion and run on propane only. Those suckers can pull a lot of power.
To test it, just turn the breakers off. If it helps your problem and it's a Suburban water heater, there is a switch outside in the water heater box (if you don't have multiple switches for it on an inside panel). Turning the switch off outside turns off the electric coil. It will still work on propane.
This likely wouldn't be a permanent solution since your trailer is 30A but could get you by until you figure out what's happening.
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2019 35' Puma Unleashed
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Blue Ox Super Hitch
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09-13-2020, 12:18 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
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The environment has only gotten cooler since we've been there. It was in the 100s on the setup we have with zero issues. Drops to the 80s and suddenly starts tripping. I assume that should eliminate heat, cable and pole issues.
Here's what my wife said (I'm not there this week):
"There's a 15 labeled A/C and below it a 20 labeled CONV - the 20 is tripping but they're part of the same set. (breakers are broken into sections of 2's)"
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Eric
2021 Micro Lite 22 FBS
First. Camper. Ever.
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09-13-2020, 12:25 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 87
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CONV is the converter.
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2019 35' Puma Unleashed
2000 Ford F-350 7.3
Blue Ox Super Hitch
Best damn dog ever
Lover of dispersed camping
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09-13-2020, 12:26 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LynnATX
What kind of water heater do you have? If it's a duel fuel, meaning Electric and LP, turn off the electric portion and run on propane only. Those suckers can pull a lot of power.
To test it, just turn the breakers off. If it helps your problem and it's a Suburban water heater, there is a switch outside in the water heater box (if you don't have multiple switches for it on an inside panel). Turning the switch off outside turns off the electric coil. It will still work on propane.
This likely wouldn't be a permanent solution since your trailer is 30A but could get you by until you figure out what's happening.
Attachment 239055
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We tried that already.
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09-13-2020, 12:27 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LynnATX
CONV is the converter.
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So does that indicate anything we haven't chased yet?
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09-13-2020, 12:29 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,041
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerbyBailey
The environment has only gotten cooler since we've been there. It was in the 100s on the setup we have with zero issues. Drops to the 80s and suddenly starts tripping. I assume that should eliminate heat, cable and pole issues.
Here's what my wife said (I'm not there this week):
"There's a 15 labeled A/C and below it a 20 labeled CONV - the 20 is tripping but they're part of the same set. (breakers are broken into sections of 2's)"
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I would start by checking all electrical connection . up in the ac 120 , the distribution panel make sure all lugs are tight . then check incoming voltage . then ??
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09-13-2020, 12:30 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 87
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I don't know enough about converters to offer any help on those. [emoji20]
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2019 35' Puma Unleashed
2000 Ford F-350 7.3
Blue Ox Super Hitch
Best damn dog ever
Lover of dispersed camping
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