Blown breaker

[Rockinjwolf]

Don't know if this is a normal thing but just this past weekend, we were using our T-2570 and the 30 amp main trips sometimes. Yes, the water heater was on elec. and so was the air cond. It seems when I turn off the breaker for the HW heater, the air and all lights will be ok. Is this something that you have to be careful about as far as overloading the elec. service or perhaps the 30 amp main is getting tired. Anyone have this exp.? Thanks

[MACK C-85]

Depending on what else is on this is not unusual. IF the AC and the H2O heater element both kick on at the same time the starting current of the AC and the water heater will overload the breaker. Throw in the refrigerator kicking on, or the microwave, or any number of other electric devices kicking on and it's off again. The 120v, 30 amp service in our coaches is not a lot of power.

[JohnB]

Hi Rockinjwolf

Tell us what "ALL" is on when the 30 amp main trips. The AC and the electric side of the HW heater alone are not enough to trip the 30 amp main. Try to remember everything that is on. We can then add up the amps.

Also are you plugged into a campground with a 30 amp service?

And are you using any type of extension cord plugged into your Sunline shore line cord to get to the power post?

And are you charging a battery that have been drained down when you when the breaker trips?

Do you know what model number and brand convertor you have?

Sorry for the many questions but this will helps tell us more in your specific situation what might be the problem.

John

[Rockinjwolf]

Hello and thanks, the converter is cs3500. I was plugged into 30 amp service with no ext. cord, just service cord from rv. As far as what else was on, not sure but a couple of lights, no micro and the converter was prob. trying to charge house battery.
I found out that when in doubt, I will keep elec. element for hw heater off and use propane. I know that some breakers in residential homes do get weak after years of use and was wondering if this is the case here even though the rv is a 2000 model year. thanks jeff

[JohnB]

Jeff

A 13,500 BTU AC unit can draw around 12 amps when it is running fairly decent efficiency when running.

A 1,400 watt HW element can be in the ~ 12 amps range pending incoming voltage.

The converter, that CS4500 sounds like a Centurion 45 amp system. I could not find the exact input power on it by a 45 amp convertor may be in the 725 watts use range when at full charging and some camper DC use. So if it was at max, then that is abouit 6.3 amps
again pending voltage.

AC unit = 12 amps
HW heat = 12 amps
Converter in charge mode max = ~ 6 amps.

That is 30 amps.

Now I do not think the converter was drawing max and if you have not cleaned the AC coils since year 2000, it might be an amp or more higher. You “might be in the 27 to 28 range or can approach the 30 amps. The converter is sort of the big variable pending how much DC current it is producing.

A weak breaker, not impossible. However a loose breaker very possible. With all the power pulled, (totally off) including 12 volts from the battery, take the cover off the converter and seat and reseat the breakers. Also check every screw terminal for tightness. They do loosen up. I have had some a lot looser the I wanted when I bought my last used camper. A once a year tightness check is a good thing to do.

If you find some loose connections that may be aggravating your issues since you could be toward the higher end and close to the 30 amp area.

Hope this helps and good luck

John

[Rockinjwolf]

John, A big thank you out to you for all of your insight. I now have some things to check-i.e. I am sure the A/C has not been cleaned, I am sure the screws on converter have not been cked, again thanks, Jeff

[JohnB]

Jeff

If you get into the cleaning the AC coils, see this post. It might help. A few of us have done it here on SOC and I just pic posted the process.

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=3319

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

John