Popping main 30 Amp breaker

[MandK]

Camping in our 2014 FR3, temps are in the 90's and finding that we pop the 30 amp main circuit breaker in the RV when running the A/C and the microwave for more than about 2 min. One time popped the campground breaker even so seems to be drawing a lot of current. Any ideas?

[Oaklevel]

Not terribly unusual are you using the water heater on electric as well??

[KansasFR3]

I haven't heard of the main breaker blowing, but its known that if its above 90 degrees and the AC is running, that you might blow the 20 amp AC breaker that sits right next to the main breaker due to the extra heat generated by the 30 amp breaker. Only other thing that could come on would be your battery charger besides the water heater mentioned. Maybe put the 30 amp on a separated breaker and try that. Otherwise, we haven't had issues running AC/Microwave at the same time on either the generator or shore power on our FR3.

[Oaklevel]

Surprised no other responses bumping this back up.......

Maybe your set up is different all I can tell you is when using the microwave & the AC at the same time ours has tripped either the main inside 30A breaker or the pedestal main 30A breaker. Did it to us last week in Myrtle Beach once as well. (we stopped using the electric side of the water heater it helped do it less frequently) The is also an AMP usage of RV appliances floating around on this site as well. (AC, Water Heater, Converter, TV, Hairdryers, Microwave, etc.)

There are several threads on this do a search it happens often. Some had gone so far as to turn the AC off while using the microwave.

[Oaklevel]

After a search Thanks to Turbs earlier postings

120 Volt AC Amp Ratings
Appliance or Electronic Equipment Estimated Amps
Air Conditioner (X number of A/C) 12-16 Amps
Blender 5-6 Amps
Coffee Maker 5-8 Amps
Compact Disc Player 1 Amp
Computer (Laptop) 2-3 Amps
Converter 1-8 Amps
Crock Pot 1-2 Amps
Curling Iron <1 Amp
Drill 2-6 Amps
Electric Blanket 0.5-1.5 Amps
Electric Fan 1 Amp
Electric Water Heater 9-13 Amps
Electric Skillet 6-12 Amps
Hair Dryer 5-12 Amps
Iron 5-10 Amps
Light (60 watt % 120V) <1 Amp
Microwave 8-13 Amps
Microwave (Convection Oven) 13 Amps
Refrigerator in AC mode 5-8 Amps
Space Heater 8-13 Amps
Television 1.5-4 Amps
Toaster 7-10 Amps
Vacuum (handheld) 2-6 Amps
VCR 1-2 Amps
Washer/Dryer 14-16Amps

12 Volt DC Amp Ratings
Appliance or Accessory Estimated Amps
Aisle Light 1 Amp
CO Detector 1 Amp
Fluorescent Light 1-2 Amps
Furnace 10-12 Amps
LP Gas Leak Detector 0.5 Amp
Overhead lights (Per Bulb) 1 Amp
Porch Light 1 Amp
Power Roof Vent 1.5 Amps
Radio/Stereo 4 Amps
Range Hood (Fan & Light) 2-3 Amps
Refrigerator (LP Gas Mode) 1.5- 2 Amps
Security System 1 Amp
Television (12 volt) 4-5 Amps
TV Antenna Booster <1 Amp
TV Antenna Booster 12 Volt outlet Up to 8 Amps
Variable Speed Ceiling / Vent Fan 4 Amps
VCR Recorder / Player 2 Amps
Water Pump 4 Amp


Just the AC 12-16 AMPS and Microwave 13 AMPS electric water heater 9-13 AMPS put you at the 30 AMPs quickly.

[nomad297]

Running the A/C and using the microwave at the same time on a 30 amp service is cutting it really close to the max amperage for the breaker. Your A/C might be running while you are using the microwave with no problem until the compressor kicks in. This causes a higher amp draw which will likely push your breaker over the edge.

Bruce

[waiter21]

Normally, I would say that you should be able to run the AC and the microwave at the same time. EXCEPT.

1) If you have a voltmeter, The "amps" listed by Oaklevel are correct when the voltage is 120 volts. HOWEVER, check the volts coming into your MH when this happens. Lower voltage means higher current (more amps). If the voltage is dropping down around 100 volts, Yes, I can see how the breaker will pop.

2) When it pops, walk outside and fell the connectors on the pedestal to see if they are hot. Anytime you fell a plug and its hot, that means there is a bad connection. This will cause the voltage to drop down, which will cause higher current. (which cause the voltage to drop down more, which causes the current to raise more, et, etc, etc, etc,)

If your 30 amp plug has a discoloration on shell or on one of the pins of the plug, fix it. A discolored plug is a sign that it has a bad connection. This will aggravate the volts amps problem, and also cause damage to the receptacle on the pedestal.

I carry a 50 to 30 adapter with me. Whenever I run into a 30 receptacle on a pedestal that is a loose or bad connection, I plug into the 50 amp receptacle instead, its usually in a lot better shape.



Solution -

[Baldicon]

It happens.

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by MandK

Camping in our 2014 FR3, temps are in the 90's and finding that we pop the 30 amp main circuit breaker in the RV when running the A/C and the microwave for more than about 2 min. One time popped the campground breaker even so seems to be drawing a lot of current. Any ideas?

How big is you MW and AC? Taking a gues but at that temp everyone is running their AC. This may be dropping you incoming voltage at the pole. Lower voltage means higher currant draw means POP goes the circuit ! I am guessing you don't have a surge protector. If you did you would know for sure what is happening. I would strongly recommend getting one. There are a lot of threads on here about them, this thread is currant:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tor-87886.html

Jim

Jim