Main Breaker Tripping

[thefabbros]

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.

[anaro]

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.

[scott]

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.

[dalemac377]

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.

[cowboy_71]

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,,,

[danskool]

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

[gossamar]

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

[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

[Hamops]

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

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?

[danskool]

Direct in-line with the 30 amp power line. No Donut.

[NH Horseman]

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.