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07-19-2012, 12:50 PM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Rodney Ontario
Posts: 60
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We have a 2012ST31bh and our last few trips, we have had our main breaker trip 2/3 times. With that being said, the temperature has been well into the 90's. The air was pretty much running none stop. It would not throw the breaker on the post, just on the trailer. We have a 30 amp system. I made sure the hot water tank was on propane andwe tried not to use the micro as our manual says how much each major appliance draws. I thought that might be the problem, but it just happened way to much.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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The Fabbro Family
Rodney Ontario Canada
2012 31BH Sunset Trail Reserve
2013 Dodge Ram Sport R/T 5.7 Hemi(Pics to follow)
https://i44.tinypic.com/mttqmh.jpg
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07-19-2012, 01:37 PM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 2,394
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Our main breaker was tripping a lot this last trip out also. We used a 50/30 amp dogbone and plugged into 50 amp service. The breaker would trip if we ran the microwave with the air on. We have camped in hot weather before and never had that problem. I know some say that really hot weather, you can see this alot. Another thought is if the power source isn't giving you the right power. Did you check the volts received to see if you were getting any spikes or drops? If this is the problem, a surge protector might help. We had a lot of motorhomes drawing power while we were out last week and I think that was part of the problem where we were.
__________________
2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 SRW Duramax
2011 Zinger ZT26BL-sold
2014 Sabre 34REQS
***Member of the Mason-Dixon Group***
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07-20-2012, 01:07 AM
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#3
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 336
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If you have the dual 30amp main and 20amp A/C breaker you are experiencing what alot of others have. When the weather gets hot the A/C runs so much it causes the breaker to heat up. it's usually the main that kicks out. Then once it cools down you can reset it until it heats up and pops again.The morethis happensthe weaker the breaker gets and starts to pop easier.What most have done is found an empty slot in the panel and added a single 20amp breaker to move the A/C wire to. This moves some of the heat away from the main. Why they build them like that makes no sense, it's a pi$$ poor design.
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07-20-2012, 01:21 AM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bradley, Il
Posts: 1,018
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When you move the a/c to a new single 20 amp breaker, then replace the dual 30/20 amp main with a single 30 amp main. the single breaker has a larger frame and will dissipate the heat better.
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Dale & Carol
Bradley, Il
2007 F-250
2010 CF30SK Patriot
2007 CF30SK
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07-20-2012, 06:40 AM
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#5
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LA
Posts: 953
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I Agree with dalemac377 replaciing the dual 20/30 amp with seperate single 20 and 30 amp breakers is a must for this problem...available at HomeDepot for under $3...DON'T forget to cut the power , safety first...this shouldhavebeen done at the factory installation,,,
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07 Cruiser 30sk
06 F350 KR PS CC SRW
...Wish we were camping...
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07-20-2012, 09:32 AM
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#6
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 253
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Time and time again i read about such things. AC will draw 12 to 15 amps by itself and with the tv 14-17. That right there will heat up a breaker. Hit "start" on the microwave "click" it trips.. I don't blame it.. Ac and Toss on the coffee pot,, 12 amps.. 25 amps +-.. For a few hours "click" I installed a amp gauge that we can see from a distance, We hardly ever toss the breaker any more.. Gave my wife the Amp usage training course and we did the breaker mod.. You have to be so careful with power, You are so limited and this is very tough for some people to understand.
The bottom picture.. AC on, Microwave on and TV+sat dish, That is it.. 32 amps. It didn't trip for the two minutes the microwave was running to heat up something for lunch. Was she lucky? (probably) The middle picture, Just AC and TV/sat dish(13amps). That microwave is a power hungry monster. It eats amps for lunch.. And the continued handicap of the AC running leaves you just about nothing.
And soon, Maybe this weekend i am going to split the AC and Main. Separating to two largest heat sources.
Edited by: danskool
__________________
Dan
2005 Cruiser
2001 F250 7.3
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07-20-2012, 02:05 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Normal
Posts: 639
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As others have said, this is almost a necessary mod to complete and you need to remember to disconnect ALL power, shore and battery to complete this mod.
Danskool, can you post or send me some instructions on your amp meter mod...I really like that idea. thanks,
Edited by: gossamar
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2015 Rushmore Springfield
Disc Brake upgrade, Goodyear G614 tire upgrade
RV FLEX-ARMOR roof, Mor-Ryde IS suspension
2017 F350 Dually 4x4 6.7 Bronze Fire
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07-20-2012, 11:46 PM
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#8
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 253
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Not really much to it.. Find a good,visible spot near the main power cord. Hook up as the meter instructions say.. You just break into the load wire (black) Crimp on eyelets and attach to meter.
mcmaster.com
p/n 7107K123
Grainger
p/n 1W746
Mouser
p/n 529-02619
Newwark
ETC>
For sizes and diagrams ->
http://www.alliedelec.com/Images/Pro...ol_9182902.pdf
SIMPSON - 02619 - CURRENT METER
__________________
Dan
2005 Cruiser
2001 F250 7.3
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07-21-2012, 12:14 AM
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#9
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ontario
Posts: 508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danskool
Not really much to it.. Find a good,visible spot near the main power cord. Hook up as the meter instructions say.. You just break into the load wire (black) Crimp on eyelets and attach to meter.
mcmaster.com
p/n 7107K123
Grainger
p/n 1W746
Mouser
p/n 529-02619
Newwark
ETC>
For sizes and diagrams ->
http://www.alliedelec.com/Images/Pro...ol_9182902.pdf
SIMPSON - 02619 - CURRENT METER
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Dan
From your description, it sounds like the meter is directly in-line with the 30 amp power line to the 30 amp breaker. Is that what you did or did you use a current transformer donut?
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Cheers
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise)
2006 Silverado 2500HD D/A,
2006 Cruiser CF30SK
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07-21-2012, 11:44 PM
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#10
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 253
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Direct in-line with the 30 amp power line. No Donut.
__________________
Dan
2005 Cruiser
2001 F250 7.3
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07-22-2012, 11:07 AM
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#11
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hollis, NH
Posts: 235
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This may not be the case but nobody has mentioned it. If you run an item that uses 1,000 watts, it draws 1,000 divided by the voltage for amps. When everyone in the campground or you,yourself, are drawing a lot of amps, the voltage may drop below 110 down to 90 or lower. Then 1,000 watt item now draws more amps if you do the division. Power is constant but is volts times amps. If volts go down, amps go up.
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