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Topic: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker (Read 581 times) previous topic - next topic

Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Hi Everyone
I'm at a park with a 30 A receptacle and it started to trip(2 or 3 times already)
I am running the AH using electric and the microwave which is 850 watts. I have been in this spot for 2 days. No issues before tonight.
Surge guard is not indicating anything when I connect at the pedestal.
Had run batts down to 60% before I noticed the 1st time.

Any thoughts.

Will go out and reset again. 115/113
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #1 –
With 30 amp service you cannot run 2 or more items that are 15 amps or more because in most parks the most you get out of 30 amp service is 26 usable amps.  Since I don't have aqua hot I cannot advise on how much power it uses but the microwave can use a lot of power and if both kick on at the same time, you blow the breaker. 

Another thing to consider is that if it is colder more people in the campground will be using electric heaters, thus another strain on the total power available.  I know it is supposed to be 30 amps, but................12.5 years full timing has proven that wrong many times.  I suggest running the aqua hot on diesel if it is a cold night and then run just one high amp appliance at a time and see if that works.

Hope this helps- Happy New Year............ ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #2 –
In addition to what Ted said above.  If you are trying to charge your batteries that will pull a lot of amps until your batteries are mostly charged. 

Another problem can be old breakers that will trip at lower than 30 amps.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #3 –
Turn off the electric aquahot.  Turn on the diesel
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #4 –
Thanks Ted & Karen,
I was one spot over in the park 2 days ago and I had voltage in the 120's.
It is colder tonight, showing 113/111 right now.
Thanks for your help .

Stevec22 thanks, read your post batts are currently at 79 and charging
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Lt403 –
Thanks Ted & Karen,
I was one spot over in the park 2 days ago and I had voltage in the 120's.

Voltage is simply the potential difference above baseline.  It is not a measure of capacity.

Amps are the amount of electricity you can use.  It is a measure of capacity.

If on 30 Amp you can only use 1 high-load source at a time.  AquaHot on electric, roof air or heat pump, microwave, clothes dryer, hair dryer, coffee maker.  Not 2.  Just one.  If you need heat/hot water run the diesel side of the AquaHot with the electric element shut off.  If you need to make coffee, if you need to do laundry, if you need to cook something in the oven, if you need to dry your hair, be sure the AquaHot is not on electric or that the roof air units are not on.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #6 –
My aquahot electric element pulls about 10amps and diesel mode about 3 amps.  Microwave 10amps.  Battery charger 10amps plus.  Bingo.  You can't run all three on a measly 30 amp connection.  Gotta carefully budget your usage when using 30amp power, but it is doable with prudence. 
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #7 –
Also remember that the 30 amp circuit breaker is certified and rated to work and trip when exceeded. Once they have been tripped (one time) they are no longer certified and will always trip at a lower rating. You would think they would work at rated loading  repeatedly, and although they will reset, they will be lower than their rated amperage.
Scott

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsd –
Also remember that the 30 amp circuit breaker is certified and rated to work and trip when exceeded. Once they have been tripped (one time) they are no longer certified and will always trip at a lower rating. You would think they would work at rated loading  repeatedly, and although they will reset, they will be lower than their rated amperage.
Scott

Breakers are only rated for 80% of the breaker when new for continuous use (80%X30 =24 amps) after it has tripped the breaker will be to hot to hold which will cause it to trip at even lower amps. Breakers in campgrounds have been over loaded (tripped)many times. As was mentioned The voltage was a lot lower, with good voltage 125 volts (125V X 30 Amps= 3750 watts) or (113V X 30 Amps=3390 watts). Now  figure the same but replace the 30 amps with the 80% rating of 24 amps (3000W and 2712W) and this is with new breaker.
Remember your wife's hairdryer is most likely a 1500 watt one.
 
I know this was a long and boring post but I hope it explains why problems arise on 30Amps with only one hot leg and on 50 amp service you have two 50 amp hot legs.
I volunteered at a COE campground for 5 years after I retired and this was the major problem with campsite electrical problems we had. 
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #9 –
you have probably already checked this but make sure that the water heater switch (AC) and the engine block heater switch are both OFF at the foot of the bed.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota
 

Re: Started tripping the 30A circuit breaker

Reply #10 –
Thanks everyone
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH