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Charliegu58's avatar
Charliegu58
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013

Breaker Tripping

Hooked up and left home last Wednesday for 4 day camping over holidays. During setup, i found the breaker serving GFI plug had tripped. I reset the breaker and figured I would just watch it over the weekend. Because it was cold at night we plug a small electric heater into the actual GFI plug and my wife used her blow dryer at the same time heater ran, with no problem. Breaker never tripped the entire weekend.

On Sunday, hooked back up and after arriving home, I plug camper back on to A/C. Well, 2 days later, I passed by camper and could clicking noise coming from the outside vent behind the frig. I went inside and found the light dimmed when I turn them on and saw the Check light lit on the frig. I went outside and unplugged and rep lugged the camper, think I was not making a good connection. I thought the clicking was the frig trying to run on gas and the dimming of lights was low battery.

The frig Check light was still lit and the lights were still dimming. I looked into the converter and found the breaker for GFI plug was tripped again and once I reset it, the lights stopped dimming and the frig Check light went out.

I have couple of questions.
Why would the breaker for GFI affect the frig, ( which is on a separate breaker) and lights dim?
Why would the breaker trip while traveling with no A/C available?
Any suggestions on what to check or test and how to do this?

Thanks for help

7 Replies

  • ReferDog's avatar
    ReferDog
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2013
    You have done all you can, but I wouldn't trust that converter if you have anymore trouble replace it.l RV manufactures don't put any thing that would last, only what gets you off the lot. There sized right to the min on spec's so if it just slightly overloaded it will give trouble.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2013
    Charliegu58 wrote:
    Update on this issue.
    Did lots of research on WF 8955PC converter and how the electrical system is wired. The converter is sharing the breaker that also serves the GFI plugs. When the breaker tripped, killing AC power to the converter, the drained battery, after 2 to 3 days, caused the frig check light to come on and dimming lights.

    I have since purchased a new double 15/15 amp breaker and connected the converter to a breaker on its own. That way if a breaker trips again, I'll know if it's a GFI or converter problem. I also didn't like the double 30/20 amp breaker together serving as the main (30) and the A/C (20) together, so I had enough room to put a single full size 20 amp for the A/C.

    Now for the issue of the tripped breaker, I do believe it may be the converter that caused it. I checked the output and it is fine, and I turned off the AC going to the converter and it switched over to battery, I also disconnected the battery and ran just off the converter, it was fine then. The only thing I found was the battery water level was low on water, since it had not been checked since we purchased it 2 years ago.

    I can only think that if the new breaker for the converter trips, I'll have to change the converter.

    Unless someone with a WF 8955PC converter can suggest another check. Could a weak/bad battery cause a problem to a converter when AC is restored after traveling?

    Yes, your battery is bad if the plates have been exposed for a period of time. When shore power is connected, the converter sees a huge load and that may be enough draw to trip a breaker.
  • Charliegu58's avatar
    Charliegu58
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2013
    Update on this issue.
    Did lots of research on WF 8955PC converter and how the electrical system is wired. The converter is sharing the breaker that also serves the GFI plugs. When the breaker tripped, killing AC power to the converter, the drained battery, after 2 to 3 days, caused the frig check light to come on and dimming lights.

    I have since purchased a new double 15/15 amp breaker and connected the converter to a breaker on its own. That way if a breaker trips again, I'll know if it's a GFI or converter problem. I also didn't like the double 30/20 amp breaker together serving as the main (30) and the A/C (20) together, so I had enough room to put a single full size 20 amp for the A/C.

    Now for the issue of the tripped breaker, I do believe it may be the converter that caused it. I checked the output and it is fine, and I turned off the AC going to the converter and it switched over to battery, I also disconnected the battery and ran just off the converter, it was fine then. The only thing I found was the battery water level was low on water, since it had not been checked since we purchased it 2 years ago.

    I can only think that if the new breaker for the converter trips, I'll have to change the converter.

    Unless someone with a WF 8955PC converter can suggest another check. Could a weak/bad battery cause a problem to a converter when AC is restored after traveling?
  • NYCFive1's avatar
    NYCFive1
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2013
    The fridge may have been looking for the propane which was off. First and least expensive check is the circuit breaker box. You may have loose or broken breakers. Vibration or bumps may loosen the breakers or wires. Each breaker has a "hook" end and a slot end.The hook end will have a wire attached to it.
    1-TURN OFF THE A/C by unplugging the unit.
    2-Remove the cover on the circuit breaker box.Usually 4 screws on the face of the
    box.
    3-Gently push on each breaker where it contacts the bus bar, the slot end. You
    should feel it bottom contact the bus bar. Look for cracked or broken breakers.
    4-Tighten any loose wires on the breakers. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. The circuit breaker
    Will crack..
    5-Replace the cover on the box. Tighten the screws evenly. The cover holds the breakers in place. You may have to move the breakers a bit as you reinstall the cover.
    Turn all the breakers off and plug the A/C cord in. Turn the breaker on one at a time.if the problem persists change the breaker for an exact match or one with the same specs They do wear out. Bring the old breaker with you to the store All breakers have the specs on them. Look closely on the sides.
  • towhead's avatar
    towhead
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    I'm no expert but it sounds like the converter that charges the battery is on that gfi breaker. It could be a weak breaker or something on the circuit but it's not good to drain the battery that low.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2013
    Both the fridge and lights are powered by 12V DC. The converter supplies the 12V when connected to shore power.

    There may have been an excessive load to the converter when you first connected to shore power, tripping a breaker or a GFCI. If you have tripped that GFCI a number of times, it will need replacement. If your battery is discharged excessively a number of times, you will need to replace the battery.

    It would be helpful if you stated what trailer you have and describe the electrical portion. I have no idea if you have a horse trailer or a fifth wheel.

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