Forum Discussion

1L243's avatar
1L243
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2015

Converter Circuit Breaker Keeps Trippping

A friend just bought a used Popup Trailer. I can't give you any particulars on type of Converter or Inverter. I have not actually seen the trailer myself.

I do know the trailer has a separate Converter and Inverter. It also has a solar panel unknown controller.

The Converter has three switches Off/Battery/Con

When they plug the trailer into AC shore power the breaker on the Converter trips. All three switch setting were tried.

Sorry for the vauge explanation just looking for some trouble shooting suggestions.
  • If the breaker trips in all 3 settings, you have a short in the converter or the wiring to the converter.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    That sounds like a converter out of the 60s,, The three switch positions ON/OFF/CON mean On Battery,,, OFF (self explanatory) and Converter. The switch is on the 12 volt side of life.

    is the breaker a 120 volt or 12 volt.

    I am guessing you have a short.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Need to get some model numbers...

    The CONVERTER is usually a part of the Power Distribution System where the circuit breakers and fuses are located.

    The CONVERTER unit is powered up by 120VAC from a circuit breaker and produces 12VDC at the model specified DC CURRENT.

    Normally you can disconnect the DC Cables from the + and - Terminals of the converter and when you turn on the 120VAC then it will will produce 13.6VDC without tripping the input 120VAC circuit breaker. If it trips the breaker then the CONVERTER unit is most likely the problem. If it trips only after connecting the + and - CABLES back up to its output terminals then there is SHORT CIRCUIT on those the BAT cables.

    I am not familiar with your three power switch positions. That must be some sort of power panel.

    Most converters are a standalone type unit. Mine is a PD9260C which comes with a standard 120VAC cord that plugs into a 120VAC receptacle. It does not have any OFF-ON Power switches. You plug it in to the 120VAC Receptacle it comes ON.

    Then I can measures the DC VOLTAGE at the + and - terminals which will normally read 13.6VDC but could also read 13.2VDC or 14.4VDC depending what smart mode it is in.



    Really hard to do any troubleshooting unless one knows the model numbers involved.

    My 2008 Starcraft 14RT POPUP trailer originally came with a ELIXIR MDL ELX-30 30AMP COnverter unit which had a couple of 120VAC circuit breaker positions and four 12VDC fuse position. This unit only produced 13.6VDC @ 30AMP DC Current.


    I changed all of this out for a bigger WFCO 8900 series power distribution center to provide 5 large size circuit breaker slots and eleven 12VDC Fuse positions. This also had a bottom compartment for a WF 8945 COnverter unit which I didn't like the way it worked and used a PD9260C COnverter stand alone unit in its place.



    Bottom line is we need more info to discuss troubleshooting of the problems...

    Roy Ken
  • If the charger/power supply is tripping a circuit breaker when in the "off" switch condition, there is definitely a problem with the device or the wiring that connects it to the breaker.
    Most of these 12V devices that are switched like you state are not a true converter but operate independently as power supply or charger. It would behoove the owner to upgrade to a modern converter and power distribution center.