Need help...

Janalee · 12-05-2013, 03:44 PM

I am in Fl...86 °...and my main breaker blows on AC after a few minutes even when nothing else is on. My filter is clean,my convertor fan area is clean, my voltage is good, the AC breaker doesn't trip---I AM on a 30 amp rated extension to the 30amp receptacle...no choice there without moving. The tripped breaker area isn't excessively hot like I would think it would be. Now,thinking it must be a weak breaker,how do I remove it and reinstall? Hurry before we melt!! Thanks in advance...Janalee

EMD_Driver · 12-05-2013, 04:01 PM

*Note* Always unplug the power from the CG pedestal, before attempting ANY electrical work in a camper!

Here's a you tube video, explaining how to replace a breaker in a CG pedestal, but most breaker panels are very similar. I'll gather some pics and get back to you in a bit...

EMD_Driver · 12-05-2013, 04:35 PM

Hmmm..

I couldn't find the pics I was looking for.

When you go to change the breaker, you will need a phillips screwdriver and a straight one.

1) Make sure camper is NOT plugged into shore power.

2) Disconnect one wire from camper's battery.

3) Remove screw(s) holding converter/breaker cover on and remove cover.

4) Using a volt/ohm meter, verify that there is no power. Touch one probe to where the black wires are hooked to the breakers and touch one probe to the neutral bar, mounted below the breakers and has white wires going into it.

5) Remove the offending breaker, by pulling down and out on the top of the breaker and lifting it out. The black wire(s) will still be connected to it.

6) Using a screwdriver, remove the black wire(s) from their terminals on the breaker.

7) Take the offending breaker to a Lowes/Home Depot/Etc.. and match up the breaker if possible. The last time I changed a double breaker in my Sunline, I had to order it.

Once you have the new breaker, installation is basically the the reverse of removal. Make sure screw terminals on breaker are good and tight. We have had members with wiring connections that had come loose.

Gary

Janalee · 12-05-2013, 05:28 PM

Thanks Gary..I wasn't able to view the video but I get the idea...the part that worries me is when you said you had to order one....hmmmm.. I think I will find out if it is available before I do w/o electric waiting for one..there is a place in town where they may have them...I also inquired here and found there is a handyman sort of guy in the park and since my back problem is so bad , I may just have him take it out for me...but in the meantime,everything is working fine right now and it is cooling down--the fan part doesn't trip it. Your instructions are great..and I thank you once again for the fast response..
This has been a nightmare trip..the van broke down twice--$980.00--and I spent one night in hospital on IV's with stomach flu....now this.....the joys of RV travel and old age! Janalee

Jim-Bev-2363 · 12-05-2013, 06:53 PM

Janalee, Welcome back to Florida. Perhaps before you go to a lot of trouble you might try tightening screws on all wires/setscrews in the breaker box. Make sure power is desconnected and remove cover and then tighten screws. It might not fix your problem but it will not hurt.

Or, you could wait a day and the next cold front might lower these temps. these past few days being ten degrees above normal don't last.

Janalee · 12-05-2013, 07:03 PM

Jim.....I just mentioned trying that same thing to someone else! Will do that and see if something may have worked loose...hoping,hoping.....Thanks...Janalee

Janalee · 12-06-2013, 03:26 PM

Okay..I have to be honest here and admit I got the handy guy after all..I have a healthy respect for electricity,and took the most "respectful" way out..he was very reasonable..he had a hard time getting a replacement and I would not have had any idea of where to go after the most obvious places..I then treated myself to having someone else wash the very dirty Sunny and my van..now out to dinner! Such a tiring day...lol

. Thanks again guys!
P.S. I did watch his procedure--it was just like Gary said--so if there is a next time,I will be better prepared...Janalee

Jim-Bev-2363 · 12-06-2013, 03:34 PM

Spending money can wear a body out.

dtstanton · 12-06-2013, 10:45 PM

I know I'm a little late, but for things like air conditioners that have motors/fans/blowers ("inductive" loads), loose connections do cause increased current to flow and can trip a perfectly good breaker. It doesn't have to be very loose to make a big difference. Always be sure your connections are tight. Loose connections cause heating at the connection, too.

An electrical supply house will usually have whatever you need in the line of breakers - like Friedman, Lee, etc., in your area. Grainger's will have them too, but you may not want to pay their prices.

Jim-Bev-2363 · 12-07-2013, 03:33 AM

My memory isn't what it should be but..... wasn't there warnings about aluminum wiring and house fires caused by loose connections? I think it was especially in mobile homes where the bad connections would cause heat and fires. Our house had aluminum wiring and I would yearly tighten screws in the breaker box, still do and this house has copper wiring. Maybe I did it for nothing but it made me feel better. Now, my first action when having breaker problems is to tighten the screws. It works sometimes.

mainah · 12-07-2013, 07:58 AM

How long is the extension cord? Voltage drop in extension cords can be very high as the voltage drops current goes up. Semans breakers should fit your box. HD and other big box stores carry them. If you are tripping the CG breaker tell the owner. The only other thing that would be drawing current would be the converter/charger if nothing is plugged in. The AC is fused at 20 amps if the AC was at issue it should trip that one first provided you are getting full voltage to your camper. It would be possible to draw as much as 35 amps with your camper but you would have to try real hard.

Janalee · 12-07-2013, 08:39 AM

Everything checked out just fine in the panel..copper wires,not aluminum,..connections were tight...looking back,I now recall other instances where the main breaker tripped w/o the AC being involved at all...I really am sure that breaker has been weak/bad probably since I have had this TT. Janalee

dtstanton · 12-07-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363

My memory isn't what it should be but..... wasn't there warnings about aluminum wiring and house fires caused by loose connections? I think it was especially in mobile homes where the bad connections would cause heat and fires. Our house had aluminum wiring and I would yearly tighten screws in the breaker box, still do and this house has copper wiring. Maybe I did it for nothing but it made me feel better. Now, my first action when having breaker problems is to tighten the screws. It works sometimes.

That's right, and the reaction between dissimilar metals were a factor, too. It made things worse over time. Loose/poor connections still cause a lot of fires, even using copper.

mainah · 12-07-2013, 02:22 PM

Both Siemans and GE breakers will work pretty common stuff. Has any work been done to your electrical panel that you know of or the outlets? Campers/motor homes have a floating neutral that is not bonded to the ground if some one did any wiring and did not know this that could have an effect on you electrical panel, stick built houses have the neutral bonded to the ground. Aluminum wiring was outlawed in camper/motor home wiring around 1975-76

Janalee · 12-07-2013, 04:30 PM

All is great now,guys! Actually used the micro, tv, and AC together w o incident..thanks for all the replies and info!

Gene · 12-07-2013, 06:08 PM

When my trailer had only been used (abused) for a year by the previous owner I had problems with the breaker for the cold water heater tripping. I thought it was the heating element. Turned out it was the breaker. The breaker would get hot and trip after the water heater was on about 10 minutes. Connection was tight but changing the breaker ended the problem.