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littleboots's avatar
littleboots
Explorer
Sep 11, 2014

Where to start. AC breaker trips... HELP

I have a 2006 Redline travel trailer. Its left at our vacation place by the Colorado River. It's plugged into 30amp power.

The problem is last time we went down the AC didn't work (and it was 112 degrees.. lucky me). When I turned the AC off at the breaker but turned the fan on, the AC fan would run but of course no cold air. The second I switched the AC on the 20amp breaker in the breaker cabinet would trip. I could reset it and breaker would hold with AC off but the second I clicked the AC on it would trip. Fridge and all other lights worked flawlessly so Im stumped on where to start. I was thinking of replacing the breaker as that has happened at my house where dust/dirt etc got in the breaker and caused it to trip easier. The batteries aren't new and I noticed the converter fan running pretty consistently. My thought is that power is obviously getting to the breaker so it should be between the breaker and the AC

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

Thanks again
  • DougE's avatar
    DougE
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Could be the breaker and I'd try that first since you don't have an amp meter to check the load. But it's probably time to replace the A/C. The circuit is probably OK or you wouldn't be able to run the A/C fan by itself.
  • drnosty's avatar
    drnosty
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Unfortunately, it sounds like your compressor may have locked up.

    I agree with DougE. Get an ammeter and check the load but I have a bad feeling you may be looking at a new AC. You can try to have the compressor replaced, but with labor and all it's usually cheaper to just replace the AC. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm sure it isn't what you wanted to hear.

    Best of luck.
  • mhardin's avatar
    mhardin
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    I'd say compressor locked up. When mine did that, I replaced the 13.5 with a 15.0 for the extra cooling power.
  • jamnw's avatar
    jamnw
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    I'm not an AC man, but isn't there a start capacitor on these? If it was bad, then it could cause this.
  • Roadpilot's avatar
    Roadpilot
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    I agree with jamnw, check the start capacitor. It's more likely then the compressor and it's a $100 fix versus a $1200 fix.
  • littleboots's avatar
    littleboots
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Where would I locate the start capacitor? I don't want to here it's the compressor. I just ran the AC for the entire weekend the weekend before. The AC is out in the heat day in and day out so it could have finally kicked the bucket. If it is AC is there a recommendation to which one is better than others?

    Secondly, do I put the amp meter on the breaker output side to test it? I have an amp meter but not familiar with electricity enough to know how to check it.
  • drnosty's avatar
    drnosty
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Usually, if it's the start capacitor, the compressor will hum for a little while, then kick off.

    I don't know whether there's anything in between the breaker and the wires to your compressor so, if at all possible, it's usually better to clamp the ammeter on the wires close to the compressor. You'll need a helper to reset the breaker down below.
  • drnosty's avatar
    drnosty
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    And the compressor is usually either mounted in a housing on the compressor itself or close to the compressor in the connector area/box inside the AC housing up top.
  • littleboots's avatar
    littleboots
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Do I need to remove the housing on the AC unit to find the compressor? I'm great with engines but learning this RV thing as it's my first one. Would low batteries cause this problem? It is plugged in so I'm not sure if low batteries really play a part in the electrical.
  • drnosty's avatar
    drnosty
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2014
    Yes, you'll need to remove the shroud on the roof to access the compressor and capacitor.
    Your AC won't run on batteries? The batteries shouldn't have any connection at all to your AC unless you have an unusual thermostat set up, but I've never heard of it. You said you were on 30A shore power. That's where your AC power comes from. Power to the breaker panel and from the load side of your breaker to your AC.

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