A/C tripping breaker

[GotLift]

Hi, Not sure if this is a common issue with an easy fix or something else. Last year I noticed my A/C isn't working. We generally camp in higher elevations so it wasn't a big deal, but I definitely need to repair it. The fan works, but when the A/C condenser kicks on it will trip a breaker if plugged in or overload the generator when it is being used.

I've read other posts regarding the coils being dirty and I'll check that (I'm sure they are), but I'm reading that with dirty coils they trip the breaker after running for several minutes. Mine trips the breaker immediately, which leads me to believe the motor is probably bad.

Thanks

[seaeagle2]

If its dual, it's probably the run capacitor, are there wires hooked up to all the terminals ?. If so, you'll eventually fry the fan motor, that is too much for it.

[GotLift]

Yep, bad capacitor. I pulled it out and checked resistance across the terminals and it is not reading resistance. The body is perfectly fine. No bulging anywhere.

I have a 370VAC 45/12uF, which is apparently pretty oddball considering I can't find one online with the proper terminals. I ordered a 370VAC 50/7.5uF instead.

[GotLift]

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Look for a bad capacitor. Also if you know how to run a ohm meter, then check it to ground. If grounded, you will need a new compressor. It would cost well over $400 to install a new $295 compressor, or more than the unit is worth.

A dirty coil will cause the compressor to draw to many amps, and trip the circuit breaker over time. It will blow out warm and then hot air, then really hot air, to the point that it will draw more than 20 amps (about 15 minutes if the fan is running or at least 3 minutes if the fan stops). The fan can stop due to broken wire, bad relay inside the control panel, or bad fan capacitor. However you do not have a bad fan, so leave those things out. . .

Good luck!

Fred.

Thanks Fred. I'm hoping for a bad capacitor. I figured its a throw away if the compressor is toast. I appreciate the info.

[Golden_HVAC]

Look for a bad capacitor. Also if you know how to run a ohm meter, then check it to ground. If grounded, you will need a new compressor. It would cost well over $400 to install a new $295 compressor, or more than the unit is worth.

A dirty coil will cause the compressor to draw to many amps, and trip the circuit breaker over time. It will blow out warm and then hot air, then really hot air, to the point that it will draw more than 20 amps (about 15 minutes if the fan is running or at least 3 minutes if the fan stops). The fan can stop due to broken wire, bad relay inside the control panel, or bad fan capacitor. However you do not have a bad fan, so leave those things out. . .

Good luck!

Fred.

[mileshuff]

My 5'er does the same thing when I try to run the A/C and outside ambient temperature is over 100F. It will run for awhile but eventually trip the breaker. No problems when outside temps are below 100F. Has done this since brand new.

[budwich]

You likely need a 30 amp service to run / start your AC if you are also running other things. A "normal" house circuit won't be able to support that. What kind of genarator are you using? It needs to be rated probaby above 4500 watts. It could be the starting capacitor but more than likely you are just exceeding the capacity of the system. Make sure all your connections are clean, especially any adapters in the path.

[ScottG]

Go up top, remove the cover and look for a blown hard start cap.
It will look something like this:

Sorry for the blurry image but the top of the cap will show damage and leakage like this one.

[BubbaChris]

If running off the genny, is there another draw on power that's causing the problem.

It could be your converter is also trying to charge your batteries at the same time.

[mhardin]

Start capacitor or compressor. I was able to make mine go for about a month after replacing the start capacitor. Then, the compressor gave it up for good.

[GotLift]

It ran fine on the pedestal in a couple camp grounds we used early in the season last year. About mid season on it was all generator. It overloaded the generator on the last trip and the house circuit before that. It seems like a something failed instead of something gradually failing like dirty coils. I'll check the capacitor out when I get up there. Thanks for the input!

[time2roll]

+1 on checking the start capacitor.
Is it the 20a branch circuit, 30a main or the pedestal that trips?

[sljkansas]

Could it be a bad started cap?

[GotLift]

Yes, it has always ran fine on house power and on the generator. I first noticed the problem when I had it plugged into the house to charge battery and cool the refrigerator before a trip. My wife turned it on to cool it down for cleaning and it tripped the breaker (115V) in the garage that I use for welding (25 amp).

I plan to get it out of storage to have the tires replaced in the next week or two. I'll get up there and look it over then. Just wondering where to start looking.

[the_bear_II]

I'm assuming in the past the A/C worked fine when you had the generator running. If that is the case it could be one of several problems. Breakers do go bad and trip easily so it's possible that is the problem.

If it's not the breaker the more common cause is something in the A/C unit. You'll need to have it checked out by an A/C technician to determine the cause.
I'm guessing (I'm no expert) it's the starting capacitor that's bad.