A/c trouble. Input needed.

[xander]

Am not sure if this is the fault of my camper or the electric at the campsite but on any hot day the ac seems to run for a bit and then bogg down. Next it trips the breaker. Turning it back on just leads to it doing the same thing instantly. After it cools a bit outside it works again just fine. When it blows it blows cold and works great. My ac is a duo therm and the camper is a 2005 forest river FEMA model. I have two heavy duty 30 amp cords plugged intone another. Could this cause it? I have had people tell me it could be the ac compressor and other say that it is not getting the power it needs from the outlet. Help?

[buffalohunter]

I would guess that it is the cords. The longer the run to the A/C the more drop in power and it is affected by heat. I would try to eliminate one power cord if you can get closer to the power source.

Just my opinion. I have the same issue when I use an extension cord with my air compressor, at home. With no extension cord the compressor runs perfect.

[SpringerPop]

I think you're onto something with the extensions being the cause.

Installing a "hard start" capacitor may also give some relief.

Pop

[xander]

There is no way fr me to move closer to the box. Perhaps I could just get a longer cord? Wouldn't it essentially be the same thing though only without the extra plugs?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by xander

There is no way fr me to move closer to the box. Perhaps I could just get a longer cord? Wouldn't it essentially be the same thing though only without the extra plugs?

Longer cord with no ends in the middle will not help.
Can you install the box closer?

[xander]

There is no way for me to move the box.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by xander

There is no way for me to move the box.

You might be able to upgrade to a 50 amp cord and change ends to 30amp.

With air running on a hot day have you checked voltage at camper?
You might be less than 110v thus harming your equipment further.

Is this at your home?

[xander]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

You might be able to upgrade to a 50 amp cord and change ends to 30amp.

With air running on a hot day have you checked voltage at camper?
You might be less than 110v thus harming your equipment further.

Is this at your home?

No it is at a campsite. I asked the owner about it and he pretty much just told me to kick rocks and that it happens to everyone there in the summer. No one else that I have talked to is having the trouble that I am though. A couple have told me that their breaker trips but they can turn it right back on.

[skipper194242]

when these a/c units operate discharge psi can get north of 250psi on hot day. you have to give unit time for pressures to eqalize before resetting. i like to put 5 minute time delays on my a/c in case someone plays with thermostat or temporary power blip.

[OldCoot]

Would go with f1100turbo on the heavier cord and you might have a weak breaker on the post or in the trailer or both. If nothing else, offer to buy a new breaker for the post and have the owner install it, but a heavier cord would really help.

[xander]

Originally Posted by skipper194242

when these a/c units operate discharge psi can get north of 250psi on hot day. you have to give unit time for pressures to eqalize before resetting. i like to put 5 minute time delays on my a/c in case someone plays with thermostat or temporary power blip.

When it start tripping like this I can let it sit a hour and it will do the same thing when I turn it on. I will take your advice on waiting 5 minutes between cycles though. I am wondering what would be the symptoms if it were my actual unit going bad?

[xander]

Is there a way to tell of the cord or breaker is the problem? If I bought one of those meters that you plug into a outlet would it tell me? I have heard that there are too many campers on my electric source but I don't know for sure if that is true or if it is the cause.

[xander]

A couple other things I should note.

We have a full size fridge bc it's a FEMA. I have tried disconnecting the fridge totally but that doesn't make the ac work any better when it is acting up.

I doubt this makes a difference but there is no battery connected tote camper at the front. Was missing when I bought it.

[SpringerPop]

Originally Posted by skipper194242

when these a/c units operate discharge psi can get north of 250psi on hot day. you have to give unit time for pressures to eqalize before resetting. i like to put 5 minute time delays on my a/c in case someone plays with thermostat or temporary power blip.

Are you saying that there isn't already at least SOME compressor-stall time delay provided in these units?

I knew they were built to a price, but that's cutting costs in a place that's very important?

I will have to look into that if this is true.

Pop

[cfsoistman]

Originally Posted by xander

Am not sure if this is the fault of my camper or the electric at the campsite but on any hot day the ac seems to run for a bit and then bogg down. Next it trips the breaker. Turning it back on just leads to it doing the same thing instantly. After it cools a bit outside it works again just fine. When it blows it blows cold and works great. My ac is a duo therm and the camper is a 2005 forest river FEMA model. I have two heavy duty 30 amp cords plugged intone another. Could this cause it? I have had people tell me it could be the ac compressor and other say that it is not getting the power it needs from the outlet. Help?

What is the total length from where you are plugged in to your trailer? You mention 2 cords, I'm guessing 25ft each? Is there a cord attached to the trailer as well? Not sure about FEMA set-ups.
Are you on a permanent site?

[xander]

About 35 feet so he I have two 25 ft cords w a little slack. The cords are buried and yes this is a permanent lot for the summer. No other cords running to camper except the 30.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by xander

About 35 feet so he I have two 25 ft cords w a little slack. The cords are buried and yes this is a permanent lot for the summer. No other cords running to camper except the 30.

If they cords are buried, does that mean one set of plugs are in the ground? If so, that could also be a problem. I would still suspect the breaker to be defective on the pole.

[xander]

Yes one end is in the ground. I have them wrapped up water tight with a whole roll of electrical tape. Also the area where they meet is under my deck out of the rain.

[xander]

Would a meter plugged into the camper tell me if the breaker is bad? What would be the best and most cost effective process of elimination?

[Timex]

Extention cord plugged to power cord. Probably 50' or more. Buried. Underground. OooooKayyyyyy! Sounds like fun to me!!!