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Old 07-31-2020, 03:16 PM   #1
LisaKarre
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A/C keeps tripping breaker in house

We are new Travel Trailer owners and are testing out the AC. The Trailer is plugged into an outside outlet at our home. We turned on the AC and it ran a few minutes and then tripped the breaker in the house. What should we be looking for?
thanks in advance!
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Old 07-31-2020, 03:22 PM   #2
ajlight
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If your house outlet is only 15 amps it is going to trip. That AC is probably pulling 13- 14 amps.
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Old 07-31-2020, 03:28 PM   #3
LisaKarre
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breaker says 20 on it ~ where does one have to plug in to be able to use the A/C?
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Old 07-31-2020, 03:37 PM   #4
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There is probably some other significant draw on the circuit. 20 amps Capacity should do it as long as nothing else is drawing load, whether in the trailer or in the house. Don’t use a cheap 14 gage extension cord Or a long one because you can make a fire without tripping a breaker.
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:01 PM   #5
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When you first start the A/C, the fan will run for a minute or so before the compressor kicks in. You should be able to hear when this happens. It's pretty noticeable. If that is when the circuit breaker trips and A/C stops, then there is an overload on the circuit. The compressor start up requires more power (13 to 18 amps) than the A/C does to just run. A 20a house circuit should be adequate to start the A/C as long as there is little else running on that circuit at the same time.
Don't know how hot it is there but we're having a heat wave here 100+. If it's hot out and your running a smaller gauge or long (over 25') ext cord this could contribute to and increase the total amp draw. Also if the fridge is on electric (or auto) plus the converter is charging the batteries, these will also draw amperage.
Hope these ideas help with your troubleshooting.
BTW Welcome to the forum!
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:06 PM   #6
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How is it plugged in? A dog bone adapter? A cheap extension cord?

Is there anything else in the trailer turned on? Is the refrigerator on 120vac? Is the water heater turned on with 120vac heating element on? Is the converter charging the battery? Do you have a lot of interior incandescent lights turned on? Is the television turned on? Is anything in the house plugged into that circuit like a freezer in the garage?

With a 20 Amp circuit and nothing else on that circuit running it should work but it may be close when the air conditioner compressor first starts. If anything else is pulling a load at that time then it will likely trip.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:05 PM   #7
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It is likely there are other things in your house running on the same 20 amp circuit. They could be using some of your amperage. Or it could be a weak breaker. I run my a/C on a 20 amp breaker with no problem but there is very little on the circuit.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:18 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody View Post
It is likely there are other things in your house running on the same 20 amp circuit. They could be using some of your amperage. Or it could be a weak breaker. I run my a/C on a 20 amp breaker with no problem but there is very little on the circuit.

This is probably your issue. If you are just "plugging" into some plug in the house you can't have anything else running on that circuit. If you are going to try to use a home outlet that's just available, it needs to be either dedicated or know what is on it and make sure nothing is operational other than the rv.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:27 PM   #9
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Phone a electrician and have a 30 amp RV connection just for the RV. I have had them installed at vacation house, main house and am currently waiting for them to do same at new home. Never a problem again with overloaded circuit tripping a house breaker. If some stay a night and use the RV, everything works, electric that is. Water and sewer is a different story.
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Old 07-31-2020, 06:18 PM   #10
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Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of RV's! If you are going to have a dedicated outlet put in for your trailer, go for the extra bucks and have a 50 amp outlet put in. It can be turned into a 30 amp outlet with a simple adapter and if you move up to a bigger unit it is ready. Just like a 30 amp outlet, it can even be used as a 20 or 15 amp outlet with an adapter. Happy camping!
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Old 07-31-2020, 07:28 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LisaKarre View Post
We are new Travel Trailer owners and are testing out the AC. The Trailer is plugged into an outside outlet at our home. We turned on the AC and it ran a few minutes and then tripped the breaker in the house. What should we be looking for?
thanks in advance!

If you intend on plugging in your camper while parked at home, hire an electrician to pull a dedicated 30A circuit from your breaker box to where you plan on plugging in. The electrical cable will be sufficiently gauged to not have significant loss at the length the cable needs to be. Using an electrician (licensed) will help you avoid liability in the event there is an problem and the insurance has to be get involved. If you do have a 30A service, use a bona fide ELECTRICAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM appliance before you burn up the expensive appliances in your camper and it will keep your electrical system safe at campgrounds. You can buy one to wire in the camper or hang off the electrical box where you plug in.
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Old 07-31-2020, 08:11 PM   #12
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Regardless of whether you have a 30 or a 50 amp circuit installed, make very sure the electrician is fully aware that this is an RV outlet and not an appliance outlet, or you will likely burn up things in your trailer.
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Old 08-01-2020, 02:50 AM   #13
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Are you plugging in to another extension as well as your adapter and your RV cord? If it is not rated at a high enough amperage, it will trip your breaker too.
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Old 08-01-2020, 04:01 AM   #14
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RV outlet

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobbecky View Post
Regardless of whether you have a 30 or a 50 amp circuit installed, make very sure the electrician is fully aware that this is an RV outlet and not an appliance outlet, or you will likely burn up things in your trailer.
X2! A good electrician should know this being that it will be on an outside wall but it can't hurt to remind him.
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Old 08-02-2020, 06:41 AM   #15
LisaKarre
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Thank you

Thank you for all the great responses...I knew I could count on you all to know what’s going on☺️ We will be having an electrician come and install a dedicated line for our trailer. As we explore and test out our new trailer we always come here to search for answers and experiences to help us out. This is such an awesome forum...thank you all again...we can’t wait to get out on the road for the first time😁
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Old 08-02-2020, 08:25 AM   #16
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Lisa, assuming you are installing a 30 amp outlet and not a 50 amp, BE CERTAIN the electrician knows to install a 120 volt RV outlet and not wire it for 240 volts. We can get you a wiring diagram to print and give to the electrican.
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Old 08-02-2020, 08:29 AM   #17
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See attached wiring diagram:
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File Type: pdf 30-amp Service.pdf (64.7 KB, 349 views)
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Old 08-06-2020, 07:42 AM   #18
JSisemoreTX
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need to ensure a properly wired 50 amp hook up, or 30 if that's what your rig is. And need a high quality surge protector plugged in which gives easy visual that it is wired correctly.
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Old 08-06-2020, 07:49 AM   #19
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I’m surprised that folks didn’t come up with the other answer. If you don’t have anything else on this circuit, then youre probably plugged into a GFI circuit. Regardless, you probably shouldn’t run AC off a 15 or 20 amp circuit and follow the advice of the others above and best of luck.
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Old 08-06-2020, 07:50 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSisemoreTX View Post
need to ensure a properly wired 50 amp hook up, or 30 if that's what your rig is. And need a high quality surge protector plugged in which gives easy visual that it is wired correctly.
A surge protector is a waste of money for an RV. An EMS (Electric Management System) will provide more protection for the issues that are typically encountered. Search the forum for "EMS" and you will see many posts on the subject.
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