2nd a/c tripping breaker

Any thoughts on why my 2nd a/c is tripping the breaker for the 2nd a/c? The main a/c keeps running. It is over 100° every day and hotter than that inside the shop where Cami lives. I have the progressive surge protector installed, so I have to assume I have good juice. It seems like when I run the generator, the breaker trips much less often.

I can't tell any difference in the size of the units, but the main is supposed to be 15K and the front 13.5K. I would think the 13.5K would be smaller, but not so much. The a/c units are Coleman. Any body know how I check if I have the right size units?

Check for loose connection at the breaker thats feeding the second A/C. Be sure to turn breaker off first!

To eliminate the breaker you can move the wire feeding the A/C to another breaker of the same size in the panel. Remove the existing wire from the breaker before installing the A/C wire. If the second breaker does not trip you'll know you have a bad breaker. If it still trips its probably in the unit or in the connections at the unit.

Be sure to turn off breakers first!!!!!!

Nice to know it isn't just Wildcats having problems.

It's nice to know that moo is still hanging with us.

Try another breaker. Breakers can and do go bad.

Earl

Thanks all for the input, I did figure out that the 2nd unit is 13.5K and the main is 15K w/ heat pump. I will try the breaker switch this evening when I get home.

I appreciate that Brad and Danielle are sticking with us. Trailer problems are about the same on all brands. Some brands more than others, I guess. It's a win/win situation for all of us.

MountainMan wrote:
Be sure to turn off breakers first!!!!!!

Hi Brad,

BE SURE TO UNPLUG THE CAMPER FROM ALL ELECTRIC FIRST!!!

Due to plans of the better half to go out this evening, I may have to wait a day to find out what the problem may be. I will be sure to unhook all power when I work on this.

Brad,

With two A/C units you have to be running 50A. I believe that the way they wire these things is to put one A/C unit on one leg and the other on the other leg. I think you need to figure out what is on the same leg as the front A/C unit. Could be someting that is drawing more amps and causing the breaker to trip.

BTW which breaker is tripping, the park or the one in your coach.

Also, are you getting full power? Remember, as voltage goes down, amperage goes up.

If your new trailer uses the same Square-D Homeline type breakers as the WC did, they can be sensitive to inductive loads like motors, compressors, and microwaves. In my house, my microwave blew the breaker about 6 out of 10 uses when we first moved in. I went to the local electrical parts house (not Home Depot or Lowes). They gave me a different brand of breaker that fit the panel. In the 4 years since, I don't think its ever tripped.

Brad, It's probably that big slide-out that's sapping all your juice!!

TC

Actually the breaker just wasn't pushed in all the way and must have been loosing connection. I tried all the wires, I can't get the screws to turn either way, I guess I will have to cut the wires if I ever need to remove them. I pushed on the breaker and noticed it moved, I just pulled it out checked things out and firmly pushed it back in. Since then, no problem. We camped at Beavers Bend all weekend and never tripped it. Now it is plugged back in the barn, so if I check it this evening and it blew, I know my barn has an issue.

moo2613 wrote:Actually the breaker just wasn't pushed in all the way and must have been loosing connection.

Brad,

Yeah, that would do it. A partially secured breaker is going to build up alot of heat due to resistance due to the loose fit. Glad you found out what it was. Electrical problems are notoriusly hard to track down.

I've been troubleshooting electrical circuits on a daily basis for 25+ years. Loose and/or corroded connections are by far the number one reason for tripped breakers.

That makes for a quick, easy fix and a happy customer but I most enjoy when its a bad 100HP 480V 3Phase motor and/or starter. CHA CHING!!!! $$$$$$


Glad it was an easy fix. I had a feeling it would be.

Thanks for all the input, the unit is still working fine.