Rec/Con fuse shutting off
Hi, I live full-time in my 2010 Cougar fifth wheel. I know it is a light-use unit so I try to take good care of it. Like others, I do worry about fire. For the first time in the three years I hav...
Forum Discussion
You did not state the amperage capacity of the breaker.
1,500 watts for both heaters PLUS the load of the converter, all on the same circuit, IS TOO MUCH AMPERAGE FOR LONG TERM 15-AMP RATED BREAKER RELIABILITY.
Pushed always at or near max capacity, a circuit breaker may live a THIRD as long as a breaker kicking back with say 300 watts will live.
Look at the breaker. Is it stamped "!5"?
Matter-of-fact, follow this troubleshooting technique. Costs NOTHING.
Load the breaker exactly like you do when it trips. However long it took to trip the other times, you need to feel the safe side with your fingers and see if it is warm. Is it warm to the touch?
If YES STOP RIGHT THERE!
Pull the shore power connection to make safe the entire rig.
With a screwdriver remove the screws holding the COVER to the box. The breaker is removed from the box by pulling up on the bottom end (outwards). Look INTENSELY at the wire that goes into the breaker and is fixed with a screw. Is the insulation at the end discolored in the least? Wiggle the wire. New good wire is not super soft. Overheated wire bends like solder after being hot for weeks or months.
Breakers are INEXPENSIVE. A replacement will tell you everything you need to know. Install it and run it. If it eventually trips, you have another problem. If the wire end was scorched, REPLACE THE BREAKER. Shine up the copper part of the wire. As long as you're here, check ALL OTHER SCREWS, every last one inside the box for tightness.
This is low-grade troubleshooting. Not rocket science. Save your money and then you do the simple job.
1,500 watts for both heaters PLUS the load of the converter, all on the same circuit, IS TOO MUCH AMPERAGE FOR LONG TERM 15-AMP RATED BREAKER RELIABILITY.
Pushed always at or near max capacity, a circuit breaker may live a THIRD as long as a breaker kicking back with say 300 watts will live.
Look at the breaker. Is it stamped "!5"?
Matter-of-fact, follow this troubleshooting technique. Costs NOTHING.
Load the breaker exactly like you do when it trips. However long it took to trip the other times, you need to feel the safe side with your fingers and see if it is warm. Is it warm to the touch?
If YES STOP RIGHT THERE!
Pull the shore power connection to make safe the entire rig.
With a screwdriver remove the screws holding the COVER to the box. The breaker is removed from the box by pulling up on the bottom end (outwards). Look INTENSELY at the wire that goes into the breaker and is fixed with a screw. Is the insulation at the end discolored in the least? Wiggle the wire. New good wire is not super soft. Overheated wire bends like solder after being hot for weeks or months.
Breakers are INEXPENSIVE. A replacement will tell you everything you need to know. Install it and run it. If it eventually trips, you have another problem. If the wire end was scorched, REPLACE THE BREAKER. Shine up the copper part of the wire. As long as you're here, check ALL OTHER SCREWS, every last one inside the box for tightness.
This is low-grade troubleshooting. Not rocket science. Save your money and then you do the simple job.
