Forum Discussion

concord_05's avatar
concord_05
Explorer
Feb 04, 2017

Replacing Breaker

We have been having some 12volt issues in our class c 08 Chateau Citation. Nothing connected to the 12volt system would work. We flipped all of the breakers at the foot of the bed with no change. Our dealer found a flipped breaker under our bed I assume on the converter. We then left on a two week trip. Several times during the trip our lights would dim. After we would turn the breaker at the foot off the bed off and then on, they would work fine. Went to check the RV today and again no 12volt. Flipped breakers at foot of bed with no change. Got mattress up but initially couldn't see where breaker is(will look again tomorrow with better light. Not a lot of room to work with slide in.) Am thinking the breaker at the foot of the bed is faulty. Is it just like changing a breaker in a regular breaker box? With slide in it will be a tight squeeze to get in the right position to change breaker. All words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Class B
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2017
    Breakers are 120 volt side. Fuses are 12 volt side.
    Have you actually checked your battery? It sounds like a faulty battery to me. But hey, what do I know?
    Is it possible the breaker is faulty? Sure, but its also likely the converter is shorted out or drawing too much current. Without further research throwing parts at it is simply a waste of money.
  • akrv's avatar
    akrv
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2017
    When I had that problem I had to replace the power board in the converter.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2017
    First, extend the slide to give you some room to work.
    Unscrew the breaker panel and examine the back side.
    Make sure all electrical connections are clean and tight.
    Breakers trip because they get hot, either from too much current or poor connections.

    Suggest you get an electrical person with the proper knowledge and equipment to help you. Electricity can be dangerous.

    As stated above the converter or batteries may be bad.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Feb 04, 2017
    I would say you converter is going bad.
    You could try checking the battery. How old is it?
    Do you have a volt meter to check battery voltage and voltage output from converter?
    Yes, it is a good idea to go through and check all 120 volt connections in the 12 volt DC distribution panel. Disconnect from shore power first. Check neutrals (white wires) as well as the black wire coming from shore power. I always suggest disconnecting the wires, inspect they for dark burnt areas, coat with electrical de-oxidation grease, then reconnect. Do on at a time so as not to make any errors when reconnecting.
    Can you see what make and model you have?
  • omjones's avatar
    omjones
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2017
    You might get better results in the class C forum.
    john 'I am Canadian'
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2017
    I doubt the breaker is the problem. But, to answer the question, most RV AC breakers are very similar too, if not exactly like, home type circuit breakers. Changing one is very simple and a replacement is much less expensive than a converter or battery. So, if you just want to throw parts at the problem and hope you get lucky you could just change the breaker and see if it fixes the issue. Be sure to inspect all the connections for tightness and signs of heat while you have the panel open.

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