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08-11-2018, 06:35 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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30 amp plugged into 50 amp, main breaker pops
I have a 30 amp camper and the only available space in the campground was a 50 amp. I bought a dog bone and plugged in. I fired up the AC, refrigerator and hot water heater. After a few minutes, the main breaker pops. This goes on a few times, so I moved both the hot water & fridge to gas. The main stayed on, so that told me something with one of those items was causing the issue.
I first looked at the hot water. I had replaced the heating element earlier this summer. I noticed a wire that I failed to plug back in. After plugging it back in, I put the fridge back on AC, but kept the HW on gas. Things ran fine for several hours, so I put the HW back on AC.
Things continued to run great until this morning. My daughter decided to dry her hair with her hair dryer. The main popped again. After a couple of attempts, she stopped with the hair dryer and all is good again
To the best of my knowledge, there isn't anything else loose and I can't image a hair dryer drawing that many amps that will pop the breaker.
Any thoughts on what else to look for?
Thanks.
Daryl
__________________
Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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08-11-2018, 06:43 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,347
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If your trailer is 30A, it doesn’t matter that your plugged into a 50A pedestal. You still only get 30A TOTAL. I suspect your going over that with all that AC stuff going.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-11-2018, 06:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
If your trailer is 30A, it doesn’t matter that your plugged into a 50A pedestal. You still only get 30A TOTAL. I suspect your going over that with all that AC stuff going.
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You think that the AC is drawing to much?
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Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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08-11-2018, 06:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosede
You think that the AC is drawing to much?
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No, what I think is that your total current draw (amps) is too much when you have that much stuff in use. 30Amps is 30 amps and if you exceed what the breaker is rated for, you are going to trip it.
And BTW, a typical hair dryer will use 1500 Watts of power.....that a little over 12 amps. Your A/C unit is pulling about 14-16 amps when the fan and compressor are running.....throw in the just one more item and you are most likely over the 30A breaker's trip point.
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2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing
"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
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08-11-2018, 06:59 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xrated
No, what I think is that your total current draw (amps) is too much when you have that much stuff in use. 30Amps is 30 amps and if you exceed what the breaker is rated for, you are going to trip it.
And BTW, a typical hair dryer will use 1500 Watts of power.....that a little over 12 amps. Your A/C unit is pulling about 14-16 amps when the fan and compressor are running.....throw in the just one more item and you are most likely over the 30A breaker's trip point.
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Yup! Total draw is too much. Sorry I meant total AC draw not A/C draw.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-11-2018, 07:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Yup! Total draw is too much. Sorry I meant total AC draw not A/C draw.
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I see. I guess since I don't need a hair dryer, I didn't know how much it drew.
Thanks for the information.
Daryl
__________________
Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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08-11-2018, 07:29 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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Have to agree. 30A isn't much. Think about it....your home has 20A breakers in a large quantity. One 20A breaker plus one more EXCEEDS the 30A that the RV can pull. So, feel lucky if you can get the AC to run and another appliance hog...microwave, hair dryer, coffee pot, etc. You are just trying to use too much and pull too much current. You will have to learn to manage power usage...another reason for a 50A trailer.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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08-11-2018, 07:57 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Also, if you don't have a surge protector/ems, GET ONE ASAP & use it EVERY TIME you plug in!
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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08-11-2018, 08:50 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Red Hook
Posts: 42
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every 30 amp 5er I have had has tripped when wifey runs the hair drier with the air on. Microwave as well. Just pulling too much
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2013 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax Dually 4x4
2019 Cougar 32BHS 1/2 Ton
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08-12-2018, 01:28 AM
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#10
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Ajax
Posts: 431
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Lets not forget the converter which can continually draw 5 amps and up.
Surge protection is a great idea to protect the electrical system as mentioned @#8
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08-12-2018, 04:00 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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Thanks everyone for the replies.
Thinking back on past outings, the only time I can remember having a situation like this was when we were at a remote location and I had borrowed an under powered generator from a friend. The only thing that we could do was run the AC. And that was the most important of all. So I guess that's why I was a bit surprised when we had this little issue. Actually, as long as the AC keeps running, we're good.
I'll look at getting a surge protector.
As i sit here this beautiful morning enjoying my first cup of joe, I want to say thanks once again for all of the replies.
Daryl
__________________
Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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08-12-2018, 04:02 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Yup! Total draw is too much. Sorry I meant total AC draw not A/C draw.
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__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing
"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
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08-12-2018, 04:25 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 117
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30 amp is 30 amp, simple math. so, if you use the a/c, no hair dryer.
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08-12-2018, 04:46 AM
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#14
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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A way to avoid the breaker tripping is to manage the power used. If DD is going to use hair dryer, turn off the WH on electric. If you are going to microwave, turn something else off. When done, turn it back on. It just takes some planning to manage the 30 amps you have. Kind of like your checkbook/debit card 2 days before payday!
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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08-12-2018, 06:10 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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AMPS is an ambiguous term for most people, especially since most appliances are rated in watts. So, let's look at the wattage for some RV things.
Air Conditioner: 1500 watts to run and 1800 watts to start
Water Heater: 1100 watts when heating water with electric element 0 on propane
Refrigerator: 325 watts
Converter/charger: 650 watts (or more depending on charge status of battery bank)
Microwave: 1100 watts typical (magnetron 900, light and motor 100 + control circuits)
The 30 amp RV power is really 3600 watts of available power.
Doing the math, with the A/C 1500 watts and the water heater 1100 watts, the total is 2600 watts. Add 650 watts for the converter and the total is 3250. So, even turning on the refrigerator (325 watts) may be enough to open the 30 amp breaker. Certainly, turning on a 1500 watt hair dryer would draw far more than the 3600 watts maximum.
Conversely, a 50 amp trailer is really 2 legs of 50 amps. Each leg is 6000 watts, a total of 12,000 watts available power. Quite a significant difference when compared to the 3600 available on a 30 amp system.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-23-2018, 07:59 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NW Iowa
Posts: 127
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YUP, and all of this is the first thing we all do......
Air Conditioner: 1500 watts to run and 1800 watts to start
Water Heater: 1100 watts when heating water with electric element
Refrigerator: 325 watts
Converter/charger: 650 watts (or more depending on charge status of battery)
THIS ALONE IS 3575 watts.... and we all do this so we don't waste our PROPANE and since we paid for electric already
The 30 amp RV power is really 3600 watts of available power. Get a somewhat weaker breaker or turn on any other device, even the radio or tune in the TV and we are busted till things get caught up.
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08-23-2018, 08:08 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arrey,
Posts: 2,368
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rosede, Howdy;
IF, and only IF the hair dryer is absolutely necessary you can go shopping here,
https://teardropshop.com/collections...lt-accessories
(standard disclaimer),
hank
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Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...
Home: 2008 Cougar 278 RKS
T.V.: 2004 F-250 4X4, Level III BulletProofed , Detroit Tru-Track Differential (915A550)
Dog: 2006 Border Collie (Rascal) aka Maximum fur dispersal unit. (08/04/2006 - 12/16/2017) RIP.
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08-23-2018, 08:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 834
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I have 30a and tend to do what other's have posted. I only run 2 of 3 high wattage items. If A/C is on I only run the microwave or water heater.
I tested wattage at home (watt meter) and got a little higher numbers on some of the items:
Converter with 1 week between power - 101w and dropping fast
Water Heater with cold water - 1350w
Microwave - 1340-1360w
A/C with Auto - After the initial startup wattage is at 1150, after 15 minutes it's at 1433w
Fridge - 340w
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(SOLD) 2015 Keystone Passport 2810BH
2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 8-speed 3.92 Air Suspension
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08-23-2018, 11:56 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosede
I have a 30 amp camper and the only available space in the campground was a 50 amp. I bought a dog bone and plugged in. I fired up the AC, refrigerator and hot water heater. After a few minutes, the main breaker pops. This goes on a few times, so I moved both the hot water & fridge to gas. The main stayed on, so that told me something with one of those items was causing the issue.
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Is not clear to me what is meant by "the main". Others seem to assume it is the trailer's master circuit breaker but when I read it I thought he was talking about the RV park's 50A breaker.
Agree A/C, water heater, refrigerator, microwave, and hair dryer all at once are too much for 120V 30A. The refrigerator and water heater will cycle on/off so seemingly sometimes it works sometimes it does not.
If faced with the option of 50A or 30A for a new RV purchase be informed that 50A 240V service is two 50A's at 120V and not just half again more than 30A.
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08-23-2018, 02:40 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tucson
Posts: 117
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That info can be found right on the hair dryer.
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