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Topic: Breaker tripped (Read 480 times) previous topic - next topic

Breaker tripped

Quick question.. I am poor with Alternating current issues... Yesterday running both air conditioners off of the generators power the breaker tripped that cuts power to the front air conditioner.. I need a clue in finding the reason why.. The 2 AC's are all that I had on. Has anyone here had this issue?
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #1 –
How new are the generator breakers?  They weaken with time.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #2 –
Was your battery charging? If batteries are low, the charger can suck up to 50amps AC depending on model. I installed different remote panel that allows adjusting max charge amperage.

Front A/C and battery charger share same line on mine.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #3 –
Breakers are old as dirt Bret.. I'm talking about the 110 breakers at the foot of the bed.. 20 amp..  Generator power and or shore power.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #4 –
While I agree that the inverter/charger can use a lot of amps, (as can an electric water heater element) it can use NO WHERE NEAR 50 amps of 120 VAC!

50 amps of 120 VAC would produce over 400 amps of battery charging!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
While I agree that the inverter/charger can use a lot of amps, (as can an electric water heater element) it can use NO WHERE NEAR 50 amps of 120 VAC!

I'm glad you feel that way. But I've seen almost 50amp pulled on my Progressive EMS display.  It will pull 8-10 amps when set at "5amp incoming breaker amps". On 20 it will pull 25-30. On the 30 setting, it's up there, seen in the mid 40's before (which, would be almost 50amps). How accurate the EMS display can be debated. There's also this thing called efficiency. How bout 40(amps at 120VAC)*10*80%(being kind)=320 amps charging.

Oh, and the breaker powering the inverter charger is 50amp from the power panel....just saying.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #6 –
I think I'm with Brett on this discussion. Krush, please post the model inverter/charger you have and we can get the specs on it, just wondering if your Progressive display is reading right...
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #7 –
Something is not right or I wouldn't have tripped a breaker.... I'm about to learn something.. I will plug into 50 amp shore power and see what takes place then.. That will tell me something...Every thing on this coach is as it came from the factory and you can see that has been a while... Not but 26 years old.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #8 –
I wrote a big long reply and I somehow blew it away

If the 20 amp breaker is tripping. I can do for a number of reasons such as

Generator is not putting out 110-120 volts, low voltage cause amp to go up.
Generator  hiccuped when compressor tried to kick in.
The compressor tried to kick in after having just been running without the head pressure having had time to leak down.
The start capacitor, if it has one is bad
Check to see if the breaker is hot. If it is cause could be burned up buss bar, or contacts on breaker,breaker next to this one that is transfer it's-heat,or loose wire connected to the breaker.  (bad breaker)
Bad compressor
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #9 –
buying a clamp on multimeter will answer many questions. you can measure the voltage and amp draw relatively easily and diagnose this properly. Nobody online will be able to tell you how many amps you are drawing. I got mine, an Ideal 61-702 brand new in box off ebay for $20. one of my favorite multimeters, and I have thousands of dollars worth of fluke meters. remove breaker cover, clamp around the wire of the offending breaker and turn your power on to check amp draw. If you are experienced with electricity and feel you can safety do this, it should only take a few minutes to find out if you have a bad breaker or a problem with your AC.
Matt
95 U300, 78k miles
Cat 3176 Jake Brake, HD4060.
 

Re: Breaker tripped

Reply #10 –
This may be a shot in the dark but check connections at breaker. If they are loose current draw will increase and breaker will trip. read current at breaker before and after you tighten.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30