|
|
10-09-2020, 11:24 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
|
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
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 11:32 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
|
First question would be.. are they using a dog-bone adapter or one of those little plastic puck thingys..
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 11:36 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
|
Thanks, Javi, and yes...a dogbone adaper. I suggested that they put a tester on that to make sure it's OK.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 11:46 AM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
|
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.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 11:55 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
|
Make sure the 110 outlet isn't on a ground fault circuit
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 12:52 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
|
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
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 01:21 PM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717
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.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 03:14 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
|
how about a bad power converter?
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
10-09-2020, 06:21 PM
|
#9
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717
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.....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 04:37 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
|
Why do y'all say a GFI outlet won't work?
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 04:41 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
Why do y'all say a GFI outlet won't work?
|
Cause having more than one boss just leads to a fight. 😁
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 05:31 AM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
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.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 09:19 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
|
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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 09:24 AM
|
#14
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
|
Quote:
Apparently the 110volt heating element is shorted/burned out.
|
Did you ohm out the element to verify?
__________________
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.
|
|
|
10-10-2020, 02:57 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,005
|
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.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EL - "Big Bertha"
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali HD 6.6L Duramax TD, CC, 4WD, DRW - "Mr. Beefy"
|
|
|
10-11-2020, 03:43 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
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.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
|
|
|
10-11-2020, 06:50 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
|
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
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
10-11-2020, 06:58 AM
|
#18
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717
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.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
10-11-2020, 07:53 AM
|
#19
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
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.
__________________
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.
|
|
|
10-15-2020, 07:56 AM
|
#20
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: ERRINGTON
Posts: 2
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|