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Topic: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker (Read 829 times) previous topic - next topic

Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Before I dig in deep, I thought I might check the brain trust on this. On our 89 GV 3600 with a 3208T Cat, I was inside working and had been running one of the a/C's for probably an hour when it kicked the shore circuit breaker. I reset it, and  since then, even with everything off, it will kick the breaker in a minute or two. I have had the coach plugged into this for over a year to keep the battery's charged. It is on a 20 amp breaker. I have done this before without an issue. I switched circuits on the shore line, but to no avail. Any ideas?
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #1
If you kick the shore power outlet breaker with all breakers in the main 120 VAC panel off, sounds like a short in:

Shore power cord
Wiring from coach inlet to ATS
ATS
Wiring from ATS to main 120 VAC breaker box
Or connections in the 120 VAC breaker box

Start by checking all connections as well as cord ends.
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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #2
Are you using a residential type extension cord, if so look there first. Additionally at any adapters.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #3
I think Brett is saying to check the prongs and cord openings for corrosion and or burning, indicating poor conductivity.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #4
Is the actual breaker tripping, or if you have a GFCI outlet is the GFCI tripping... older coaches will sometimes trip GFCI outlets due to old insulation in heating elements and motors.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #5
First, thanks to all for your expertise. I shut out the coach 120 breakers  and reconnected to the shoreline connection. No problem, so I shut out all the coach circuit breakers, and turned the main 120 disconnect back on. I then turned back on the individual circuit breakers in the coach one at a time, and after finally getting everything back on,  no more problems to now. I did check all plug connections and the shoreline plug in at the coach. I will watch and see. Thanks again, folks.......
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #6
Did you experience a voltage drop?
"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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #7
I found a bad adapter a couple of weeks ago. Wondered why no juice at the other end.

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #8
More headaches..... Now when I plug up to the shoreline, I used to get a "thump" noise when it was plugged in. No thump now, and no battery charge happening. Converter? Isolator? I want to upgrade to the multi stage charger converter that just charges the amount of voltage you need. Help????
Also, Where is the generator inside compartment open release? How does one get access to the back side of the generator? I have what appears to be a bad ground. Acts like a very low battery..... on the generator......
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #9
IF, repeat IF you are safe working around 120 VAC, open the ATS and check there for power IN and OUT.  It is the ATS that clicks as the relays close.

PLEASE, put your coach info in your signature.
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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #10
Sorry about no coach info. I thought I had it in there. Maybe didn't save it. BTW, ATS?
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #11
ATS= Automatic Transfer Switch.


120 VAC IN from generator
120 VAC IN from shore power

120 VAC OUT to main 120 VAC breaker panel.
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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #12
Brett, where is this located? I don't have a Service Manual, which I need badly. Don't have a problem with shore voltages. Was a Fixed Operations Manager in Auto Dealerships for 38 years. Tech before that. Built Travel Trailers early on. Anything you can give me will help. Very DIY......
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #13
Under the bed (just forward of engine room) on many Foretravel models. No first hand knowledge of your model year.

If not there, trace cable in from shore power inlet.
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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #14
Thank you ! B TW, any advice on where I might round up a Service Manual?
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #15
Thank you ! B TW, any advice on where I might round up a Service Manual?

Foretravel never produced "service manuals".  Very rare for an RV manufacturer to do so (I can't think of any that do, and most don't even offer schematics).
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: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #16
Thanks for your response!
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)

Re: Kicks Shore Line Circuit Breaker

Reply #17
Update :
Found my issue(s). Found the roll lock cord connection at the coach had a blockage not letting the cord side plug rotate completely allowing the plug to loosen and not engage the solenoids. The reason the coach was kicking the shoreline circuit breaker was the block heater. Due to the poor location of the on/off switch at the foot of the bed, the switch inadvertently  got turned on while I was working around the bed. NOW, I found this when I was running the generator, and had both ACs on Hi, and it kicked the breaker at the genny.  I've driven diesels a very long time and always  have used block heaters with no circuit breaker issues. How many amps does it pull, or I guess it  could have a "soft" short causing abnormal amperage issues. Any ideas?
1989 Grand Villa 3600  Our "Furevertravel",  "Ole Furry" for short.....
Cat 3208T  250 HP
Allison MT-643
36SBIORED
Motorcade Number  18541
Build # 3388
2014 Ford F-150 flat towed (My Bride wants "her" MKX in the garage)
Big John, my Bride Miss Mary Lou, and Buddy, Robbi, Gizzy, and Mack ( our furry kids)