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dickiebob's avatar
dickiebob
Explorer
Jun 13, 2016

Dometic Duo Therm Penguin 15000 btu kicks 20 amp a/c breaker

Subject mod #620426.331, ser #70430579 15000 btu a/c was off today upon return to motorhome. The 20 dedicated a/c breaker clicks off after resetting and turning on the a/c switch each try. Furnace control works ok.

We are near Rochester, MN and it is hot!

Anyone in this area know a good mobile RV person I could call? Only close RV repair looks to be Noble RV near Rochester airport. We have a pet, so need to get fixed.

Thanks for any references.
Class A
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jun 15, 2016
    I would try and isolate the short you have in the 120V system. I would unplug the 120V wire at the control board and see if the breaker still trips. There is a fairly long delay before the compressor starts so it's not the problem. I would look for a black wire near the control board that has rubbed and shorted out.
  • dickiebob's avatar
    dickiebob
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2016
    Just an update. Tried new breaker...instant trips yet. Local repair has New unit on order from factory. Hope to have Fri. At least weather temps have dropped and evenings are cool.

    Thanks to those who responded.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 14, 2016
    Just swap with another 20 amp breaker in your panel. That will tell you if the breaker is bad or it is the AC unit. You can even use a 15 amp breaker for just a test time for 15 minutes. Doug
  • dickiebob's avatar
    dickiebob
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2016
    Toddupton..my 1st thinking is breaker...feels soft when pulled off and breaker releases instantly when turning to cool..no sounds from fan or compressor, just click of breaker kicking off. With cool off, fan does not run in on position (does not kick out breaker either). No auto fan run either. Don't have tools to check amp draw, but wouldn't be possible ? with instant breaker release.

    John...voltage good at 122
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2016
    The first cheapest easiest thing to do if you don't have an amp probe would be to try and just replace the breaker. If you had tools you could test the amp draw and see if it is pulling LRA on the compressor to see if that is bad. But it sounds like the breaker is tripping too soon to be the compressor. Does the indoor fan come on?

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