Need some electrical education
Finally managed to get a site with only 50 amp service in my 30 amp fiver. Fortunately, I had purchased a 50 to 30 dogbone a couple of years ago for just this situation, so I was pretty pleased with m...
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There is probably another problem. Such as you might have a battery that did not get water added to it on a regular basis, and now is shorted out. Or another reason that the charger put out more than 30 amps when you plugged into the shore power.
Chances are that you might have a 45 - 55 amp capable 12 volt charger/converter in the RV - near the fuse panel. It can put out amperage that will run the lights, and also charge the battery. If the charger is putting out say 14.1 volts, and the battery is only at 11.5 or less, then the charge circuit might carry more than 30 amps, melting the fuse.
Two things to check. Measure the voltage at your battery. If it is less than 11.5 volts, then you might have a problem with the battery. But don't replace it just yet. First check to see if it needs water. Only add distilled water.
I would also suggest replacing the 30 amp fuse with a automatic reset circuit breaker. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Circuit-Breaker-30-Amp-Threaded-Stud/_/R-BK_7823105_0361103355 You can find that at any local auto parts store.
A automatic reset circuit breaker will shut off power if it exceeds 30 amps for about 3-5 minutes, then will cool off (so will the wire) and then will re-set and allow 30 amps to flow again. After a while, the battery will have enough charge, then the charge rate slows to less than 29 amps, and will stay charging.
If you have a portable battery charger, I would charge the battery with it for a while, then plug in the shore power, and check the 30 amp fuse. It probably is bad again - if you plugged in the RV now, while the battery was dead. Yet after the battery has charged for a while, then it should be accepting less than 30 amps from the RV charger, and then the fuse should not blow again.
So first thing is add water to the battery.
Fred.
Chances are that you might have a 45 - 55 amp capable 12 volt charger/converter in the RV - near the fuse panel. It can put out amperage that will run the lights, and also charge the battery. If the charger is putting out say 14.1 volts, and the battery is only at 11.5 or less, then the charge circuit might carry more than 30 amps, melting the fuse.
Two things to check. Measure the voltage at your battery. If it is less than 11.5 volts, then you might have a problem with the battery. But don't replace it just yet. First check to see if it needs water. Only add distilled water.
I would also suggest replacing the 30 amp fuse with a automatic reset circuit breaker. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Circuit-Breaker-30-Amp-Threaded-Stud/_/R-BK_7823105_0361103355 You can find that at any local auto parts store.
A automatic reset circuit breaker will shut off power if it exceeds 30 amps for about 3-5 minutes, then will cool off (so will the wire) and then will re-set and allow 30 amps to flow again. After a while, the battery will have enough charge, then the charge rate slows to less than 29 amps, and will stay charging.
If you have a portable battery charger, I would charge the battery with it for a while, then plug in the shore power, and check the 30 amp fuse. It probably is bad again - if you plugged in the RV now, while the battery was dead. Yet after the battery has charged for a while, then it should be accepting less than 30 amps from the RV charger, and then the fuse should not blow again.
So first thing is add water to the battery.
Fred.
