Hey everyone newbie here and need help and a lot of time to read all the info on this forum. I've been reading about voltage drop and warning's online. But here's the thing I know just enough about voltage and amp to get in trouble or break something. However i do try to careful. With all that being said I have a ? that I just can't' get a straight answer on. Answer on Will my a/c unit make a outlet drop below 20% voltage reading? I've seen drops as low as 102 last night. So just shut it down. I just bought this camper it's set up in a park that's been around. So wiring is old the camper is 09 model and has been on site for three years now so I'm not sure the amount of abuse that the a/c has encountered. I had the handy man come out last night and change lugs in 30amp post and install new breaker. Came on and worked for a bit hen went right back to surging again reading's dropped to 103-109 for a short period then tripping breaker. So Now I'm worrying if it has already killed a/c unit.Just wanted to make sure it's not my a/c unit before I call him back and worry him over my ignorance or him pointing the finger /blame on my camper. Sorry for long post but high temps with pups/kids got to get to bottom of this. Thanks guys for any thoughts/info.

Take a look at this website that explains RV wiring. It may help you find the knowledge that you seek.

Do you have any of the other high watt devices like water heater, converter charging a low battery, etc. running? Maybe you could try switching off all your loads and see what your voltages are with just the AC running. How are you measuring voltage?

x2 with what west end said. Be sure JUST the ac is on and check voltage then check the voltage with just the electric water heater on. Did you check the voltage at the post without anything plugged in?

I wasn't sure what the converter was having to charge or not i did take a reading and it was a little over 13 volts at battery so I unhooked it. not being sure of batt. condition but then got to thinking that with no batt. hooked up will it try to keep charging? Anyways left unhooked last night and batt reading this morning is 13.3 volts but nothing has run off it all night. dont have my minn kota load tester on hand but that seems good been unhooked for about 14hrs now. I was reading voltage at a receptacle when ac was trying to cycle back on. It tends to surge and thermostat click after it runs a bit so I'm thinking that the unit is just getting hot. and the ems? on the unit is just not letting it run due to low voltage. or the compressor is going out do to past low voltage.

Reading outlet voltage | Good Sam Community

bskomp
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
Well changed breaker.know I to turn all the way down to 50 for the unit to recycle crazy. when it first started it was at 70 then hasn't came back on until you slide it down to 50. got fan running now to draw in hot air. but it's 80 outside and camper sits in shade.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 29, 2014
You might try running the AC for an hour or so.
Feel the breaker first then run the AC for an hour and see how hot the breaker gets. Compare temperature with one adjacent to it.
bskomp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
At this point it's the only thing I haven't fooled with other than cleaning making sure lugs were tight.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 29, 2014
It could be the breaker getting weak. When voltage drooped, amperage went up to a pint that it tripped.
bskomp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
it keeps clicking " thermostat ' that is and then the breaker trips. I might be on to something cause if I turn the temp all the way down it runs just fine. Oh and by the way it is the breaker in coach not pole. But however before it tipped this last time the pole voltage dropped to 109 and then click. ready to just unbolt the dang thing to ust it as a boat anchor.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 29, 2014
What was tripped? The branch breaker feeding the AC inside the coach?
Did you check the connections in the 120 volt AC panel?
The branch breaker for the AC unit could be weak or going bad from numerous trips. Breaker should be available at your Lowes store.
bskomp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Well did great for a day and right back to doing what it was doing. It has got to be the power at pole done fine all night and morning with to lowes and walmart and came back to a dead tripped a/c. at least it was cool and pups wasn't burning up.
westend
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
I love a story with a happy ending.:B
bskomp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Morning Westend I'm using a fluke 189 and used a fluke amp meter. I did have the converter cut off. That was my first thing I did not knowing battery condition. Bought new filter and foam cleaner yesterday and electro grease. Cleaned everything. All is working fine now. Just need to get transformer cause voltage is still tends to run a little lie when everyone comes in for dinner and ready for the night all the ac and microwave start up. But we made it threw the evening and night just fine. Thank to everyone's help. Wife said she was glad to run of the penguins off yesterday afternoon. Also she thankful to everyone.
westend
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
113V on a 120v system is acceptable. I'll ask again, what are you using to measure the voltage? If you are using anything less than a handheld meter, you may be getting inaccurate measurements.

Here's another tip: Have you cleaned the interior filter on the AC unit? If your battery is old or is not in good condition, the converter may be drawing a lot of current trying to charge a bad battery.

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