Hello all,Last weekend I went on my second trip with my new 2013 shasta revere.We ran into an issue. I was plugged into shore power 30amp service at the CG. It was pretty hot so the air was running. I went to use the microwave to pop some popcorn and we had a black out. At first I thought the CG was at capacity and there was some sort of surge. It turns out my main 30 amp breaker tripped. This was only running the AC. The microwave should not trip the main I am thinking it should have tripped the breaker for the microwave not the main. So it is going in for service at the dealer I bought it from this Sat to test all systems and see if there is a problem with my TT. I had the CG check the power at the site to make sure it was not dropping too low or spiking. It seemed pretty constant at 116.7 using a meter. I have read of a lot of folks having this issue but it just does not make sense that a brand new trailer you cannot not run the AC and the microwave at the same time. My old 97mallard never missed a beat when doing so. I guess I may be expecting too much but I thought it would handle at least two appliances at one time.Oh no smell or excessive heat coming from breaker either. Just a trip and shut off.Thanks,

When they checked the voltage was anything plugged in and operating?My guess would be the voltage would drop to below 110 with AC running and converter operating for the 12 volts and charging the system Then you operate the microwave and it drops the voltage lower which increases the amperage.I would buy one of the plug in 120 volt digital meters.I am going to say they are not going to find anything wrong with your rig.

Are the A/C & microwave bigger units on this trailer? The manuals should advise the wattage or current draw for each unit. Bear in mind there may also be other major electrical draws like the water heater, battery charging, lights. Add them up and see if you will exceed 30 amps. You might try turning off the water heater breaker and running it on propane. Switch the frig and water heater to propane when electricity is at a premium. If everybody did this it would make the electric feeds less troublesome during high heat summer days.

They only checked at the pole with no load. I think you may be correct here I am going to get one of those testers so I can be sure I am getting what I need when plugged in.It did not even occur to me to have them check while under load. I was more worried there was something wrong with the rig and it would cut our trip short. It ran fine the rest of the weekend with the fridge AC and lights. The next morning we had the AC fridge and coffee pot going so I think you may be on to something here. I will have it checked for piece of mind that there is no issues with the system. Better safe than sorry. Next trip August 14th so hopefully all will be fixed up.

This is the style that I like. It checks for correct wiring and gives good readable voltage.120 volt digital meter

enblethen wrote:When they checked the voltage was anything plugged in and operating?My guess would be the voltage would drop to below 110 with AC running and converter operating for the 12 volts and charging the system Then you operate the microwave and it drops the voltage lower which increases the amperage.I would buy one of the plug in 120 volt digital meters.I am going to say they are not going to find anything wrong with your rig.X2. AC and microwave draw would put you on the brink at least. If the converter was supplying a lot of 12v to lighting and charging the battery, you could well be over 30 amps. Why I like the Progressive Industries EMS unit I bought. The remote display constantly shows incoming voltage and the trailer's AC current amp draw in real time.

Question about main breaker | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

jmatthews
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Thanks all I appreciate the input. I am still going to have it checked just in case. But I agree with what is being said
rhochnadel
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
With the A/C and the microwave going you were at your capacity. Then add the load from your converter and possibly a load from the water heater and, bingo! Nothing wrong with your rig.
SailingOn
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
St Andrews SP in Florida was full mid July.
Running the air conditioner, water heater and fridge on AC, never using the microwave, we would pop the main breaker about once a day. Leaving the fridge and water heater on propane helped cut that down.
After that we installed an AC voltmeter (less than $10) on the switch panel. It's not at all unusual for campground power to fall near or below 110v when everyone's running their air conditioners.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
enblethen wrote:
When they checked the voltage was anything plugged in and operating?
My guess would be the voltage would drop to below 110 with AC running and converter operating for the 12 volts and charging the system Then you operate the microwave and it drops the voltage lower which increases the amperage.
I would buy one of the plug in 120 volt digital meters.
I am going to say they are not going to find anything wrong with your rig.

X2. AC and microwave draw would put you on the brink at least. If the converter was supplying a lot of 12v to lighting and charging the battery, you could well be over 30 amps. Why I like the Progressive Industries EMS unit I bought. The remote display constantly shows incoming voltage and the trailer's AC current amp draw in real time.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 24, 2013
This is the style that I like. It checks for correct wiring and gives good readable voltage.
120 volt digital meter
jmatthews
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
They only checked at the pole with no load. I think you may be correct here I am going to get one of those testers so I can be sure I am getting what I need when plugged in.

It did not even occur to me to have them check while under load. I was more worried there was something wrong with the rig and it would cut our trip short. It ran fine the rest of the weekend with the fridge AC and lights. The next morning we had the AC fridge and coffee pot going so I think you may be on to something here.

I will have it checked for piece of mind that there is no issues with the system.

Better safe than sorry. Next trip August 14th so hopefully all will be fixed up.
WayneAt63044
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
Are the A/C & microwave bigger units on this trailer? The manuals should advise the wattage or current draw for each unit. Bear in mind there may also be other major electrical draws like the water heater, battery charging, lights. Add them up and see if you will exceed 30 amps. You might try turning off the water heater breaker and running it on propane. Switch the frig and water heater to propane when electricity is at a premium. If everybody did this it would make the electric feeds less troublesome during high heat summer days.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 24, 2013
When they checked the voltage was anything plugged in and operating?
My guess would be the voltage would drop to below 110 with AC running and converter operating for the 12 volts and charging the system Then you operate the microwave and it drops the voltage lower which increases the amperage.
I would buy one of the plug in 120 volt digital meters.
I am going to say they are not going to find anything wrong with your rig.

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Question about main breaker

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