15 amp converter breaker buzzing then tripping

[TracySD]

I'm having a breaker or wiring issue. I had no 110 power to my RV except for the GFI plugs and the microwave. The 15 amp breaker was tripped so I flipped it off and back on. It made a loud buzz for a second or two then tripped again. The Rv is on my deer lease 2hrs from the nearest dealer so I just made due until I got home. RV tech at dealership said it had to be a bad converter, So I changed it out and am still having the same problem. I can run lights and most other appliances (central heat, refrig) on a charged battery or with my truck trailer cord plugged in. Any ideas?

 

[TitanMike]

Could more likely be, given you changed converter, there is an issue with wiring.

I'd disconnect 120v wires from converter, cap each with a wire nut, then turn on breaker. If problem still occurs it's in wire from breaker to converter.

If OK turn off breaker, disconnect 12v output wires from converter, reconnect 120v input wires, then turn on converter. If converter is quiet and output measured 13v+, converter OK.

Before reconnecting 12v output to wires removed check for battery voltage. If none examine wires to batteries as they may be shorted.

Mentioned "Deer Lease" which could mean rodent intrusion and chewed wires.

 

[TracySD]

Thank you! Yes there is signs of a rat, but it has been dispatched. This happened about a week later. Your input gives me a clear path to try and find the issue. Thanks again

 

[Aussieguy]

is the converter inside the breaker panel?

my converter the 120v wiring was short pig tails
very easy to check wiring for it

Make sure the 12v output is correct
look at the 12v 30 amp fuses marked REV or REVERSE



swap the wires on the converter 120v breaker side to another breaker for testing
breakers can and do go bad

 

[TracySD]

Thank you for the response. Yes the converter is inside the breaker panel. When you say check the 12v output, are you saying to the converter from the breaker? How would you check the output from the converter to the battery, a continuity test?

 

[Aussieguy]

you would have to open the breaker panel to expose the wiring

probably best if you can find someone that has the tools and know how
talk to your campground manager/host if you are at a campground

looking at your panels and seeing that the breaker is tripped
I would test by moving the converter to another breaker
If converter works good on the other breaker... replace the breaker that keeps tripping

you need to get breaker to stop tripping first... my understanding is the converter has been replaced?
if yes... doubtful it is a converter problem. wiring to converter should also NOT be a problem as it would have been replaced too

IF you can carefully take the cover OFF and take a photo of the converter's wiring
we could check if the wires are in correct spot ,,,
need good photos of the 120v wires section and the 12v Fuses on the RIGHT

Turn OFF shore power.. to be safe in there.

 

[TacomaJoe]

What else is powered by the converter breaker? Unless the converter was replaced with another bad one, I don't see the converter being the issue. Your 12V stuff works with a charged battery or from truck power so I'm thinking that your DC side of the panel is good as are the REV fuses.

My theory is that there is something wrong with the whatever else that breaker is feeding and not with your converter. Remove any other wire from the breaker and feed just the converter by itself for a test.

 

[Twinboat]

That's a general breaker which means outlets, converter and fridge. Check wires under slides if you have them, unplug the fridge, from outside, and unplug anything plugged in.

 

[Aussieguy]

I found that my water heater was on the same breaker as the converter

because the converter rarely pulls a full load on the 120v
once the battery has been charged to 100% converter is not a great user of power...
my 55amp converter at max charging of low battery would be just over 5.5 amps @ 120v
water heater is also rarely used, (propane for heating water

 

[acdii]

It is quite possible that you have a loose connection to the breaker. A few years back when I had a Coleman bunkhouse, if I turned the AC on, I would hear a buzz and the main would trip. Or maybe it was the water heater and AC, but anyway, I opened the power panel after disconnecting shore power and discovered that whoever installed the panel had over tightened the main breaker and stripped the screw securing the wire from the surge protector which is inline from the shoe input. It too buzzed just before breaking.

Check that all your connections at the breakers are tight and not sloppy.