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SARGUY's avatar
SARGUY
Explorer
Oct 01, 2017

50 Amp power

last weekend we were camping in upstate NY,when we signed in I opted to get a 50 amp site since our little dog has breathing problems in hot weather and it was quite hot. To make along story short the power worked great while we were away for a couple of hours at a time and she was alone in the trailer. However when we returned and the A/C was still running if we attempted to use the microwave we would trip a breaker in the 12 volt system. My 5th wheel usually only requires 30 amp power, I guess my question is would this be considered normal or is there a problem in my electrical system?
  • Yes except the main 30 amp should trip for a general overload, not the 20 amp A/C breaker.
  • That's not normal. You should be able to run the air con and microwave at the same time even if the rig is 30A.
  • Assuming the A/C and MW are on separate 20 amp breakers I find it rather odd that the A/C breaker would open when the MW is used. Could be a voltage issue or possibly first sign of the A/C developing problems.
  • Well you guys answered my question. my 5th wheel usually requires 30 amp power, I thought that 50 amp would be less likely to trip off while we were away from the camp site. Guess it would not have made any difference. By the way it was the A/C breaker that was tripping when we tried using the microwave at the same time. Thanks for your replies and explanation.
  • Which breaker? If your coach is rated for 30a, a 50a hookup isn't going to help, other than perhaps the socket being newer and cleaner and making a better connection.
  • Microwave and AC Unit use 120V AC power to RUN........
    AC Unit uses 12V DC for control functions but Microwave wouldn't need DC

    I take it the '12 volt system' is actually 120V AC System ---Correct?

    Which 120V C circuit breaker is tripping?

    Is your 5th wheel 50A or is it a 30A rig.
    4 prongs on power cord---50A
    3 prongs on power cord---30A

    IF 30A.....can't run microwave and AC at same time....even of plugged into a 50A power source using an adapter (30A to 50A)

    If 50A.....should have been able to run both at same time. Unless AC Unit AND outlet Microwave is plugged into is being feed from SAME BUSS.