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Old 10-09-2020, 11:24 AM   #1
jsb5717
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Trailer tripping 110 breaker

My Niece and Nephew in law just bought a new-to-them SOB TT. When they were inspecting the rig it was plugged in to a 50amp supply and everything was working well. They brought it home last night and are plugging into a 110 supply but the breaker pops immediately. Have done a little trouble shooting over the phone with a variety of cords but it appears that the TT is the cause. What should we be looking for that would make the breaker trip?


Here's what we've tried:
  • Different extension cords
  • Turned breaker off of AC and Micro just in case
  • Made sure the trailer was the only thing on the house circuit
Have consider a dead short somewhere but with it working on the 50 amp before purchase not sure where to start with that.


I haven't been able to look at it personally so am a little limited. Just looking for ideas. Thanks
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:32 AM   #2
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First question would be.. are they using a dog-bone adapter or one of those little plastic puck thingys..
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:36 AM   #3
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Thanks, Javi, and yes...a dogbone adaper. I suggested that they put a tester on that to make sure it's OK.
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:46 AM   #4
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When you say "a 110 outlet" do you mean a standard 15 Amp outlet? If it is, is a GFI outlet and is there anything else on that circuit in the house.like a freezer, refrigerator,etc?

First thing is to verify the above, then turn EVERY breaker off inside the camper. Then plug in the camper and turn one breaker at a time on and see what happens.
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:55 AM   #5
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Make sure the 110 outlet isn't on a ground fault circuit
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Old 10-09-2020, 12:52 PM   #6
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Thanks, yes to the above. Have continued to troubleshoot. It was on a GFCI outlet. Told him that wouldn't work. He tried other outlets with the same result...still tripping them. I believe they are 15 amp circuits. I'm on 15 amps at my house without issues.

Have tried turning off RV breakers but his frustration is breaking down clear communication so giving it a rest for now.

I'm going to have to go there myself to get a better understanding of the layout


Thanks for the help
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Old 10-09-2020, 01:21 PM   #7
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Thanks, yes to the above. Have continued to troubleshoot. It was on a GFCI outlet. Told him that wouldn't work. He tried other outlets with the same result...still tripping them. I believe they are 15 amp circuits. I'm on 15 amps at my house without issues.

Have tried turning off RV breakers but his frustration is breaking down clear communication so giving it a rest for now.

I'm going to have to go there myself to get a better understanding of the layout


Thanks for the help
Turn off all Breakers in trailer as stated. The fridge will default to electric if it's on auto. Maybe the water heater is on, who knows what else along with the converter charging the battery may be too much amperage. If it trips the house breaker with everything in the camper off than it's most likely a bad dogbone adapter.
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Old 10-09-2020, 03:14 PM   #8
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how about a bad power converter?
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Old 10-09-2020, 06:21 PM   #9
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how about a bad power converter?
First, when you go to troubleshoot the problem, verify that the circuit breaker in his house distribution panel is NOT a GFI breaker. Sometimes an electrician will install a GFI breaker rather than a GFI outlet in a garage or outside circuit.

I would not suspect the converter/charger PROVIDED it was working properly on the 50 amp plug at a different location. The converter/charger is powered by one leg of the input 50 amp power and when on a 30, 20 or 15 amp plug, there is "the same one leg" powering everything. So, the converter/charger would not see any difference in power input AND if it was working previously, it's likely working now....

My guess: There is a circuit overload being caused by something in the trailer and he is "simply using more amps than is available"...

Start by turning off EVERY circuit breaker in the trailer including the MAIN breaker. Then plug in the trailer. It should not trip the breaker in the house. Next, turn on the MAIN breaker, verify the house breaker is still on. Next, turn on each "sub breaker" in the trailer, ONE AT A TIME. I'd use the microwave as the first breaker to turn on (so you can watch the blinking display to verify power is still on in the trailer without having to walk back into the house to check that 15 amp circuit breaker in the house panel).....

I believe you'll find that he is simply overloading the circuit breaker and it's tripping... Best guess for what's causing the overload: Water heater, refrigerator and/or the converter charger. The water heater draws roughly 1100 watts (9.2 amps@120VAC) the refrigerator draws roughly 300 watts (2.5amps@120VAC) and the converter/charger, depending on the charge status of the battery and the 12 volt demand inside the trailer, can draw anywhere from 5-15 amps@120VAC. So, with the water heater electric side on and the converter/charger "automatically kicking in" he can easily be drawing anywhere from 20-30 amps through that 15 amp circuit.....

It'll trip every time.....
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:37 AM   #10
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Why do y'all say a GFI outlet won't work?
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Old 10-10-2020, 04:41 AM   #11
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Why do y'all say a GFI outlet won't work?
Cause having more than one boss just leads to a fight. 😁
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Old 10-10-2020, 05:31 AM   #12
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Why do y'all say a GFI outlet won't work?
It depends on several variables. Not to say it can't work, but it can cause issues. I have ours plugged into a GFI and it was an issue with frequent GFI tripping (not the breaker). Changed out the (cheap contactors special) with a "quality" one and it's held ok for over a year now.
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Old 10-10-2020, 09:19 AM   #13
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I charged the previous Montana HC with a 20 amp GFI no issues. Then charged the Oshkosh with it too. I charge the batteries on the Bigfoot with it as well. Until about 3 weeks ago. Plugged the BF in and noticed the little LED in the extension cord wasn't shining. GFI tripped on the outlet. Reset and it tripped again. Plugged into a non GFI and all was well but the refrig defaulted to gas. With advice from Facebook, either the Bigfoot page or RVelectricity (very good site) I unplugged the 110 volt cord behind the BF refrigerator. It quit tripping the GFI outlet. Apparently the 110volt heating element is shorted/burned out.
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Old 10-10-2020, 09:24 AM   #14
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Apparently the 110volt heating element is shorted/burned out.
Did you ohm out the element to verify?
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Old 10-10-2020, 02:57 PM   #15
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What extension cord is he using? If it's a 100' 15A extension cord, there will be a lot of voltage drop before it gets to the trailer. Voltage drop means higher current draw. The cord is probably going to get really hot if he gets past the breaker tripping.

He should invest in a large current cord as short as he can and still get it to reach.
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Old 10-11-2020, 03:43 AM   #16
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Did you ohm out the element to verify?
Not yet. For the time being I'm OK with it on propane. Not going anywhere anyway. I have the camper jacks torn apart on my workbench. Waiting on parts from Lippert.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:50 AM   #17
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Thanks, all, I'm now suspecting that the problem is their electrical panel and crummy breakers. They have a Federal Pacific panel and breakers, known to be problematic...even dangerous. He's going to get it replaced and have a 50 amp service installed for the TT.

I suggested that they fire up a generator and try the 110v plug on that to see if that trips. It will likely be 20 amp rather than 15 amp but if it doesn't trip then we can assume the trailer is fine. We'll see what happens
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:58 AM   #18
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Thanks, all, I'm now suspecting that the problem is their electrical panel and crummy breakers. They have a Federal Pacific panel and breakers, known to be problematic...even dangerous. He's going to get it replaced and have a 50 amp service installed for the TT.

I suggested that they fire up a generator and try the 110v plug on that to see if that trips. It will likely be 20 amp rather than 15 amp but if it doesn't trip then we can assume the trailer is fine. We'll see what happens
Sounds like the best solution.
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Old 10-11-2020, 07:53 AM   #19
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Not yet. For the time being I'm OK with it on propane. Not going anywhere anyway. I have the camper jacks torn apart on my workbench. Waiting on parts from Lippert.
Let me know what you find, when ever you get around to it.
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Old 10-15-2020, 07:56 AM   #20
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Plug the trailer into a what you can verify is not a gfci circuit. If the breaker does not trip, then my bet is that the electric heater in the hot water tank is blown. Whether the switch is in the on or off position doesn't matter. This causes the gfci to sense a fault and trip. With the AC disconnected from the trailer, disconnect the neutral wire to the heater element and tape it off so it can't short out. Plug Trailer back in to AC on the GFCI circuit and it will most likely work. Known Problem and happens when you turn on the hot water tank with no water in the tank.
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