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Old 06-22-2014, 05:11 PM   #1
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Drawing over 30amps new 2014 Salem 31BKIS

I am a brand new TT owner, so perhaps this is my wrong assumptions,if so please let me know.
We have been camping 4 times so far this year. Once in the cold, where we ran an electric heater, had no power issues, and 3 times in the hot. Real hot. Running the AC pretty well the whole time.
At the current campsite we started flipping the 30 amp breaker within 1 hr of setup.
Maintenance came out and the breaker was hot, so replaced it with another one.
It wasn't a new breaker and it flipped again shortly after he installed it, but it was getting late and the other breakers were not where he had access. He assured he would send someone out first thing in the morning.
We made it through the night with ac the whole time... Good stuff. In the morning a new maintenance man came by and measured the amperage my TT was pulling. It was over 30 amps. 36 in fact... We started switching things off and on inside and best we could tell if the water heater kicked on, the fridges (outdoor kitchen and inside) and the ac was running, it used up over 30 amps.
His suggestion was to up convert my 30 amp to the 50 amp plug. So yesterday I did.
Now I'm in a 50 amp plug and my 30 amp breaker inside the trailer will blow instead... Again when all those things are on.
Is this normal? That ac, two fridges and elec water heater would pull over 30amps?
It seemed to me like one of the breakers that has the inside outlets and the microwave all together used up almost 12-15 amps Alone... Even without the microwave running.
The breaker labelled microwave does not shut off the microwave... I can't figure out what it goes to.
The outdoor fridge won't go colder than 50degrees, even if left for 24 hrs or more.... Could that be part of the problem?

Basically a little guidance on how to troubleshoot this, or if that's what should expect on 30 amp TT Would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
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Old 06-22-2014, 05:16 PM   #2
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Yes it is normal to draw more than 30 amps on a 30 amps hook up if you use to many appliances. Have a look a this thread for normal appliances amps requirements, it does take too many to be above the main breaker rating. You need to manage your amp usage.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:01 PM   #3
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Just an update in case someone happens across this thread.
I am now totally crazy about Dutch oven cooking and using charcoal, wood and the gas grill that came with our TT.
Since moving away from all the electric devices, we haven't had the breaker problems like before.
It's good advice to check your usage though, and perhaps look for a 50amp TT if you are dependent on some of your electronics.



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Old 04-17-2015, 07:23 AM   #4
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Electronics are pretty low users of electricity.

However added to:

ONE Electric frying pan (up to 1800 watts - up to 15 Amps), coffee maker (1200 watts - 10 Amps), the water heater on electric (1440 watts - 12 amps), and the AC on startup (2000 watts - 17 amps) equals 54 amps without breaking a sweat on a hot morning making breakfast.

When you are using the AC or electric heat (like the fireplace) with a 30 amp camper, forget the water heater on electric. It should "go without saying", but some times we forget how to add.

Amps drawn is equal to watts (printed on the appliance or in the manual) divided by 120 volts.

Worse yet, for appliances that have motors (Air Conditioner) or magnetrons (microwave), when the campground supplied voltage drops below 120 volts, the amount of amps needed INCREASES above what is listed on the item.

Propane is CHEAP compared to a ruined camping trip. If it is hot enough for the air conditioner, it is hot enough for the 30 amp aluminum feed wires at the campground to be hot from carrying the max load. The hotter aluminum gets, the LESS volts it can supply.

As the voltage drops, so does the efficiency of your fixed resistance electrical items so your water is not as hot and takes longer to heat back up anyway.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:32 AM   #5
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And I'll add.... if it's hot enough to need the AC pretty much all the time-
you probably don't need that much hot water so switch it to LP and shut
off the electric.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:36 AM   #6
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Can I ask how you wired a 50 amp plug into a 30 amp breaker box?
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