Ac breaker poping

[bstump]

We are living in our 5th wheel and did not have any issues at our home campground. We pulled the rig down near Temcula for a week vacation. Super hot here, 108. After getting plugged in and settled, our breaker to AC 1 keeps poping after about 15 min of running. Ac2 (beadroom) is fine. But AC1 keeps poping. It's a 20 amp breaker, and I have a surge protector at the pole. We have the shades down and trying to run at reduced power( all lights off). Still the breaker pops. It ran fine back home, now it pops off. Not sure why all of a sudden we have the problem. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated

[wa8yxm]

By AC-1 Do you mean Air Conditioner 1?

THere is a common issue with A/Cs that many folks do not know.. I figured it out but then I've had a bit of ..er.. training... OF sorts. (I did not know it the first time but that was a Window unit not an RV)

THey need to be cleaned.

If the condenser is clogged then as the thing tries to cool you off the pressure in the system (As well as the Temperature) Goes up and up. The compressor works harder and harder and pulls more and more power cause it is that type of motor. And finally CLICK of Silence ensues (The breaker trips) Has happened to me 3 times.

I go Topside (As the song is titled "Up on the roof) with the needed tools and
Coleman (or Advent air with coleman condenser fan)

Remove the cover (Coleman 4 bolts, Advent 10 screws) And clean the condenser....REplace cover and all is good with the world

Advent Air with OEM fan, Carrier, Dometic and most all other save COLEMAN.

Remove outer cover Remove condenser cover (Method varies Carrier used screws, Advent tape and bent metal tabs) And if your hands are as big as mine remove concenser fan.. Then clean and re-assemble.

I like my Modified Advent better and the Coleman best.

[talotto]

I'd try the simple fix first - climb on top, take the cover off and clean the condenser coils, carefully straighten any that may be dented. Spray with a little Dawn solution, let it sit, spray it out. A clogged condensor (or evaporator/filter) can cause excessive heat and the symptoms you mention. What causes me to think this is a more likely (and faster/cheaper fix) is that it runs fine for a few minutes before popping the breaker.

[newman_fulltime]

myredracer wrote:

bstump wrote:
Looks like a pole issue. First look at the voltage readings from my surge protectir showed 115 v on one leg and 116 on the other. But amperage was way low, 7 amps innone leg and 12 on the other. I did wiggle and push my cord some. Amperage poped up to 21 on one leg and 17 on the other. ac has been running for a hour with no pops. I think i foudthe problem. Thanks for your advice.

Great that's all it was! Make sure to always keep the shore power cord plug blades clean and shiny. Use some emery cloth or sandpaper as needed. The interior of the receptacle can possibly be in bad condition (pitted/dirty) and you can't see inside and/or can also have poor contact pressure. If the problem returns, you might see if you can get the receptacle replaced.

its very common on these new chords for them to not get set in place right without a wiggle and tightening the nut that most end up missing

[myredracer]

bstump wrote:
Looks like a pole issue. First look at the voltage readings from my surge protectir showed 115 v on one leg and 116 on the other. But amperage was way low, 7 amps innone leg and 12 on the other. I did wiggle and push my cord some. Amperage poped up to 21 on one leg and 17 on the other. ac has been running for a hour with no pops. I think i foudthe problem. Thanks for your advice.

Great that's all it was! Make sure to always keep the shore power cord plug blades clean and shiny. Use some emery cloth or sandpaper as needed. The interior of the receptacle can possibly be in bad condition (pitted/dirty) and you can't see inside and/or can also have poor contact pressure. If the problem returns, you might see if you can get the receptacle replaced.

[bstump]

Looks like a pole issue. First look at the voltage readings from my surge protectir showed 115 v on one leg and 116 on the other. But amperage was way low, 7 amps innone leg and 12 on the other. I did wiggle and push my cord some. Amperage poped up to 21 on one leg and 17 on the other. ac has been running for a hour with no pops. I think i foudthe problem. Thanks for your advice.

[BB_TX]

My living room A/C breaker suddenly started doing the same thing several years ago. Replaced the breaker and hasn't tripped since. Easy and inexpensive to try and see if that fixes it.

[bstump]

Ill check the pole. Also, i do have a progressive EMS surge protector at the pole

[bstump]

Sorry, forgot to mention we are on 50 amp service

[newman_fulltime]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
It would be helpful to know if the rig is 30 ampere service or 50 ampere service.

Only then can diagnostics begin.

2 acs 50 amps

[newman_fulltime]

go wiggle your plug at the trailer not getting good contact on one leg

[MEXICOWANDERER]

It would be helpful to know if the rig is 30 ampere service or 50 ampere service.

Only then can diagnostics begin.

[myredracer]

Sounds like low voltage and that'd be my first suspect. Get a voltmeter and check voltage at the pedestal on each leg (assuming it's 50 amps with two AC units) and report back. It's a common issue in the summer with everyone else running AC units. Older CGs are more susceptible to this problem. Low voltage can damage AC units so you definitely want to make sure it's okay. If below 105 volts, do not use AC units. An AC unit draws more current as the voltage goes down.

Only way to overcome low voltage is to use an autoformer. Some CGs don't allow them so check first. Sometimes you can move closer to where the transformer or distribution panel is located. A section of 50 amp pedestals in a CG should have better voltage.

Other causes could be a bad 20 amp breaker, CG wiring issue, bad shore power cord to pedestal connection. If it's a 30 amp service, running two AC units is likely the cause.

Low voltage is when you really want to have a Progressive Industries EMS unit which will automatically shut you down (as well as other electrical issues). A "surge suppressor", if that's what you really have, won't protect against low voltage.

[wrgrs50s]

You may just have a breaker that's getting weak. You might try putting your fridge and water heater in gas mode to lighten the overall electric load and see if that makes a difference. If the pedestal that your plugged into is providing voltage at the lower end of the spectrum it can start overheating your shore plug, breakers, and etc.

[dfletch]

It could be low voltage on that leg. When the voltage drops the current goes up.