Dometic Air Conditioner tripping circuit breaker

[Chuckf1]

Hi all,
Last Nov. 2014 we had a new Dometic A/C. (Mfg No.651916C851C0, Prod. No.99176761, serial No.32723752)
Had re-starting problems from beginning but sporadic. Lower temp did not start automatically and had to shutdown A/C and turn back on.
Now, the circuit breaker keep tripping when the compressor kicks in.
A call to Dometic was semi-successful because its under warranty was covered BUT it can only be done by a certified Dometic Service center and there are not in (Near Atlantic City)south Jersey. UGH. I can get a certified, local, mobile repair person to fix it but Dometic won't warranty the new one. UGH,UGH
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem myself?
Thanks.

[Chuckf1]

To Chris Bryant - Dometic told me there is none hear. I trusted her and didn't follow-up. There are several mobile, doometic certified, techs and one will come our next Friday. Thank you!!
Macrosill and RoyB - We are on 50amps and drawing 15-20 amps per unit. The readings don't fluctuate so it is clean.
MidnightSadie - Good suggestion. Swapped breakers form other a/c unit. Same results.
Also, I'm hearing rumors that Dometic A/C of my model installed a bad bath of controller boards. Another possibility. Hope the tech can replace them as well.
Thanks to all for your help.

[Macrosill]

RoyB wrote:
We are assuming you are at a electric camp site and the 120VAC is proper AC VOLTAGE.

During the summer months everyone is using their Air Conditioners big time and this may be loading down the 30A or 50A service...

Make sure everything else high wattage wise are turned OFF when testing the air conditioner. I know in my 30A setup I sometimes will trip the trailer main breaker if I have the air conditioner running and use the high wattage microwave etc...

Roy Ken

Check your voltage. A low supply voltage will cause the A/C to draw more current to run.

I had the same issue a couple weekends ago. The 30amp main would trip if I used the microwave while the A/C was running. We had no choice but to turn off the A/C whie using the microwave. My new EMS is arriving today!

[ScottG]

midnightsadie wrote:
change the breaker, breakers get weak after they,ve been tripped a few times, pull the old one. might find them at lowes. cheap test.

This is the first step I would take. Cheapo breakers don't like being tripped and they weaken quickly. Warm weather makes it worse.

[j-d]

Did you perhaps up-size the A/C, say from 13500 to 15000? Even if you didn't, if the compressor in the old one was getting "tired" with its valves starting to leak, a new A/C might draw more amps than the old worn one did. That happened to me at the house. Replaced old A/C with a new one rated for LESS amps and it tripped breakers the day we installed it. Ran and got new, problem solved.

Don't install a Hard Start Kit till you see if there's one already there. They differ in effectiveness too. The cheapest ones use a PTCR device (Positive Temperature Coefficient Resistor) to get the extra start capacitor out of circuit. PTCR does this by heating up. That means it won't help much if at all if you short cycle the compressor with an Off/On cycle. Because the PTCR has to cool to get the start cap back in circuit. The better Start Kits use electronics or a relay for what they call "potential sensing."

[Chris_Bryant]

There are Dometic service centers in south Jersey- 2 in Atlantic City. Did you look at http://www.dometic.com/USA/Support/Service-Locator/?

[RoyB]

We are assuming you are at a electric camp site and the 120VAC is proper AC VOLTAGE.

During the summer months everyone is using their Air Conditioners big time and this may be loading down the 30A or 50A service...

Make sure everything else high wattage wise are turned OFF when testing the air conditioner. I know in my 30A setup I sometimes will trip the trailer main breaker if I have the air conditioner running and use the high wattage microwave etc...

Roy Ken

[Ivylog]

I would probably install a hard start kit until I could get to a certified Dometic Service center. I would get it writing that you will be covered even though it may be out of warranty by the time it's convenient to get to an approved location. Keep the hard start kit and put it on the new unit... maybe out of site.

[Old-Biscuit]

newman fulltimer wrote:
the problem is if they won't allow a certified mobile tech they won't allow you.Call the tech have him call Dometic if certified he can get it done

X2

[midnightsadie]

change the breaker, breakers get weak after they,ve been tripped a few times, pull the old one. might find them at lowes. cheap test.

[newman_fulltime]

the problem is if they won't allow a certified mobile tech they won't allow you.Call the tech have him call domestic if certified he can get it done