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Old 06-07-2011, 06:53 PM   #1
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Main circuit breaker tripping

Hi folks, I have a 2004 Sandpiper 32RLSS with a WFCO 55 amp converter. I replaced the entire converter last summer and it's only been used twice since then. I finally installed a 30 amp power supply under my carport this week and have had the following problem. When running the ac the main 30 amp breaker is tripping. It did it last night with just the ac. Today I had the fridge and a few interior lights on and all was fine until I turned on the tv. I'ts showing 121 volts at the power box I installed. I'm lost. Can someone help?
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Old 06-07-2011, 07:01 PM   #2
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Faulty breaker?
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Old 06-07-2011, 07:24 PM   #3
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This is the 30 amp breaker in the WFCO 55 amp converter right?

Check your water heater 120 AC switch.

If off and the main is still tripping, it could be a weak breaker, but most likely a loose connection in the panel (high resistance = high amps)

If on turn it off and see if the breaker is now solid. If so you may have a high resistance heater element (replace if so).

Not sure, off the top of my head, what to do if none of that fixes your problem but while the WFCO is open check all connections hot and neutral for tightness.
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Old 06-07-2011, 07:29 PM   #4
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The water heater switch is off. I'll check the connections and if there's nothing there I'll try a new breaker. Thanks for the quick replies.
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Old 06-07-2011, 10:25 PM   #5
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can u plug into another outlet other than the new one under the car port?
is there any possibility that there could be a wiring error in the new connection?
is ur trailer 50 or 30 amp.
if all worked ok before, i usually look at the last thing changed carefully.
i would also like to know which main is tripping. main to me means the one inside the trailer breaker box.
u should be able to run the air conditioner, converter, and some lights on a 20 amp breaker. u might even be able to run a couple other small items. usually can't run two large items on a 20.
the other question would be what is the voltage on ur battery with the trailer unplugged for 10 min. if the battery has a bad cell, it could put a big drag on the electrical.
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Old 06-07-2011, 10:33 PM   #6
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something else off the cuff. feel the battery and see if it is hot. if it is that could be bad.
if the breaker, that is tripping, is hot (temp wise), see if any of the others are. hot breakers are passing lots of current.

when u replaced the converter last year, what was the condition of ur battery? i hinting at the battery causing the converter to go out.

this should go along with the other good suggestions made here.
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Old 06-08-2011, 09:11 AM   #7
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The battery was purchased at the same time the new converter was installed. The wife informed me last night that on our last trip in October, the main breaker had tripped twice when running the ac, I had forgotten this. I don't think it's the new power outlet, it tripped when I had it plugged into a 20 amp circuit before I had the 30 amp available.
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Old 06-08-2011, 09:39 AM   #8
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well, that practically rules out the new outlet.
the main (in the trailer) shouldn't be tripping.
i recently purchased a breaker for mine at lowes. the best way to match is to take the old one with u. i believe a cuttler hammer is what i found to fit. the cut out for the contacts that make with the buss is probably abt an inch long. the other breakers that look like they will fit have the shorter slit and will not push down.
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Old 06-08-2011, 12:26 PM   #9
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Grounded, 2 things come to mind. 1) Is there a GFI connection anywhere in that circuit from the garage? They tend to make the trailer's breakers trip off on several other's campers, as well. And 2) Check the condition of your 30 amp cable connectors on each end for scorched/burnt plugs. I had to replace my male end plug because of this already. Hope this helps! Randy
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Old 06-22-2011, 08:22 PM   #10
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Just an update:
I had the AC checked and it's funtioning correctly, no excessive amp draw. I've checked the 30 amp cord and it's fine. All of the connections at the converter are tight. The breakers that have been tripping are now the main and kitchen, never the AC breaker. The other two trip occasionally and has only done so when the AC is running. My next move is to replace the two breakers and see how that affects it. Any other suggestions will be welcomed.
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Old 06-22-2011, 08:55 PM   #11
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It is important to clarify what is going on with the GFCIs in the camper.

When you speak of "breakers" most will think the AC circuit breakers in the Power Center.

I believe you are talking about the GFCI in the first outlet in the string of outlets that protects the entire circuit from Ground Faults. Although it will "pop" when it detects a circuit "fault" it only takes micro-amps of current to shut them off; while "breakers" will trip at draws over 15 amps (if that is the rating on the circuit breaker.

While you will certainly "solve" your problem by replacing the GFCI outlet with a standard outlet, your camper will not be to code and you will be exposing yourself and your family to electrocution hazards if your coffee maker (or other AC appliance) should fall in the sink.

IMO, there is most likely a poor GROUND or Neutral connection in one of the downstream outlets that the GFCI is monitoring. If it detects even a tiny difference in return current from what it sent out, the GFCI will immediately "open" and kill power to all downstream outlets.
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Old 06-22-2011, 10:23 PM   #12
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These are the breakers in the power box or the converter box that are tripping.
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Old 06-23-2011, 03:30 AM   #13
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Yikes.
That is a problem and not so easily diagnosed.

My money would be on a wiring problem.

Perhaps a broken neutral on the AC circuit that is putting return power on the ground (bare copper wire) (or camper frame?) and it is finding its way back to the neutral buss through the kitchen neutral; overloading the breakers.

This sounds like a job for .... Superman. (...err Electrician)
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Old 06-23-2011, 06:31 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grounded
These are the breakers in the power box or the converter box that are tripping.
Did you replace the whole power center or just the converter? Did you try new breakers yet? I would be looking at everything you did in the box.
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Old 06-23-2011, 07:53 PM   #15
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I replaced the entire power center and will replace the breakers this weekend.
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Old 06-24-2011, 08:33 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grounded
I replaced the entire power center and will replace the breakers this weekend.
The first step is to try new breakers. I'd focus on the main, 30 amp, breaker and the branch that is tripping. Not sure the box stores carry the 30/15 amp combo FR used, you might need to look at an electrical supply house. I would be looking closely at all the connections, several of my connections were poorly done, insulation not stripped completely. For example, on the battery neutral, FR cut many of the strands to fit them into the holes of the neutral bar behind the power center, that connection bothered me so I added crimp on lugs and screwed those to the bar.

Do you have a transfer switch?
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Old 06-24-2011, 09:40 AM   #17
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No transfer switch.
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Old 06-24-2011, 11:10 AM   #18
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I was thinking about water in an exterior AC fitting (like the outside outlet or the Air Conditioner). Might be worth the effort to take a look anyway.
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Old 06-30-2011, 02:07 PM   #19
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I changed the kitchen 20 amp breaker 3 days ago and it tripped within 24 hours. I had to order the main 30 amp breaker and installed it yesterday, so far nothing has tripped and I've been running everything in the camper including 2 portable fans. Hopefully this has fixed the problem.
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