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07-26-2024, 04:30 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #27605
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Pedestal Police!
We are camping at a NP in Manitoba. The site we have only has 30 amp service at the pedestal. Yesterday, the breaker at the pedestal tripped multiple times.
I was running my 15,000 BTU A/C, the electric water heater and my fridge. What kind of draw would be expected from running these 3 items? I would think a 30amp service should be able to handle it? Could the breaker be bad at the post or could there be some other potential problem?
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07-26-2024, 05:09 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,724
M.O.C. #7992
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You are probably getting close to 30 amps. I'd switch the water heater and if possible the refrig, over to gas and see if the breaker holds.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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07-26-2024, 05:35 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Hershey
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #32150
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Agreed. I would suspect the “in rush” that occurs when the a/c compressor kicks in and/or when the refrig compressor kicks in is tripping the breaker. The initial start up cycle is what is creating the issue.
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07-26-2024, 06:10 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,657
M.O.C. #2283
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Your AC is pulling at least 1400 watts running. This doesn’t include start up which is much more. The refrigerator uses again at least 400 watts. My small refrigerator uses 400 watts and is much smaller than yours. I don’t know how much the water heater pull but you are very likely close to 30 watts. Turn something off and try again.
Lynwood
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07-26-2024, 07:27 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hagerstown
Posts: 900
M.O.C. #16013
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time will tell
You need to ad in your converter it can draw 4 to 8 amps at any given time. I've probed mine at 10 amps with the batteries a little low and the lights on.
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2018.5 3791 Rear Den Montana, on the lake ![Fishing](images/rvsmilies/fishing.gif) no 3rd A/C, Mini Split
Electric Brakes ![EEK!](images/smilies/eek.gif) ..... Disk Brakes, it`s the only way
F350 Ford Dually 4:10`s w/bags (payload 5595 lbs) Sumo Springs 63 gal aux tank
Reese Goosebox Mor/Ryde SRE 4000 X Factors Monroe shocks.... real smooth ride
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07-26-2024, 07:44 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Boaz
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #34451
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Wattage divided by Voltage equals amps.
400W fridge on 110 equals 3.63 amp.
1400W AC unit on 110 equals 12.72 Difference here is to look at unit labels to see if surge amps equal or exceed that.
As said previously the startup is generally the problem. With the formula above you do some quick napkin math to see where you are. And while it is a 30 amp breaker there will be a tolerance factor plus or minus, plus age/usage factor of breaker, wind direction, day of month, etc, where your milage may vary. If you feel you are within the 30 try a different nearby pedestal to see if may its just a worn out breaker.
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07-26-2024, 08:59 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #30417
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Had the same problem recently. switched the fridge and water heater to gas and I could run both AC's but nothing else.
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Tony & Donna & the best dog ever, Murphy.
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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07-26-2024, 10:36 AM
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#8
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #27605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotnjonny
Agreed. I would suspect the “in rush” that occurs when the a/c compressor kicks in and/or when the refrig compressor kicks in is tripping the breaker. The initial start up cycle is what is creating the issue.
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I do have soft start on the ac but I agree that when I add up all of the things that are drawing power, I would be close to 30. I also suspect the breaker is old.
I switched the water heater to propane and the breaker hasn’t tripped since. I’ll manage my power usage and make it work. Thanks for all the help!
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07-26-2024, 10:54 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,765
M.O.C. #22835
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We are on a 50 amp service. But it doesn't matter where we are camping at, when we run the following combinations of "things" the breaker at the pole always pops.
2 AC running, electric cloths dryer running, water heater running, residential refrigerator running, microwave running, and an electric griddle running .... all is well.
But.... now plug in the toaster or the coffee pot and attempt to make toast or start a pot of coffee and! POP! Every time!
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History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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07-26-2024, 11:27 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,069
M.O.C. #20477
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A hybrid inverter really helps when on 30 amp or a genny. Need another 10 amps to start the a/c? Your inverter adds extra power to shore power to prevent the breaker from tripping. Several of the inverter companies sell hybrid models.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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07-26-2024, 01:42 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,351
M.O.C. #6433
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Water heater is probably 12 amps.
A/C between 13 and 15 amps depending on model.
Converter around 7-8 amps.
Fridge 4-5 amps.
That totals 35 amps or more.
Water on gas will get you below that.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-26-2024, 04:45 PM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #27605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX
Water heater is probably 12 amps.
A/C between 13 and 15 amps depending on model.
Converter around 7-8 amps.
Fridge 4-5 amps.
That totals 35 amps or more.
Water on gas will get you below that.
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Makes sense. Thanks for the info!
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07-31-2024, 01:22 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Rainier
Posts: 11
M.O.C. #9783
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Breaker
Had same problem it was a bad breaker at the post
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07-31-2024, 03:54 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Albany
Posts: 409
M.O.C. #11972
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Switching fridge and water heater to gas will solve the problem unless the breaker on the pedestal is defective.
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2012 3150RL. G614 tires. Hardwired surge protector. Level-Up Hydraulic leveling.
2013 F-350 Lariat 6.7 PSD SRW SC LB 4X4 OEM hitch, air self-leveling on rear. 57-gallon replacement fuel tank. DieselSite water separator/fuel filter.
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