Forum Discussion

jmcgeorge's avatar
jmcgeorge
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016

Breaker Keeps Tripping

Hello,

I have a 27' travel trailer, and the circuit breaker supplying power to my water heater and microwave keeps tripping.

When I hook up to shore power, the breaker trips right away, and I cannot reset it because it will trip again. I have unplugged the microwave, still trips. I replaced the on/off switch on the wall, still trips. I replaced the circuit breaker as well and it still trips.

This is occurring plugged into two different 30 amp plugs; the campground and a buddy's house. When camping, I played around resetting the breaker and the on/off switch (switches from microwave/off/water heater), and I blew the pedestal breaker. Resetting the pedestal breaker only tripped the trailer breaker, so I just left it tripped during my last outing.

During my troubleshooting I disconnected the battery to cut out that variable. When on battery power, the hot water heater does not work at all.

I am now not sure what it could be. The converter? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Jeff
  • Thanks for the quick reply!

    I will disconnect the water heater element and see if the breaker still trips.

    Thanks again,

    Jeff
  • You have a short circuit somewhere in that branch circuit. You need to find and eliminate it. The circuit breakers that are tripping may well be saving you from a fire.

    As Ranger Smith suggested, a good place to start looking would be the water heater element. If that's not the culprit, I think you've eliminated most everything but the wiring itself (after the breaker).
  • Your problem is probably that the AC element in the water heater went bad. Disconnect it or shut off the little switch outside in the water heater panel and it should stop

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,194 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 01, 2025