Duo Therm Dometic Blows the breaker on restart

[kf6gzh]

At about half the campgrounds I stay at the circuit breaker at the inverter of the HI - LO blows on re start of the a/c compressor. The way I get it to stay reset is to point a small portable electric fan right at the breaker. It is a 30/20 breaker (30 amp main 20 amp a/c). The HI - LO is a 2009 15 ft model. I am thinking maybe replace the breaker with a new 30/20? OR replace it with a straight 30? The a/c should only draw 12 amps. At some parks the breaker never blows at all. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RichR]

Have you checked the voltage coming into the Hi-lo when you have had the breaker trip? Check it with no load and when the A/C is running. If it is below 110 volts without load it could cause the A/C to have trouble starting. Your A/C may have a starting capacitor that is bad, not all have them but they can be added. The breaker could be suffering from old age or are over sensitive, they do that sometimes. Being only a couple of years old I would rule out the old age. Replace it with the same amperage that is there now for safety.

That was my collection of random thoughts. Maybe one of them is correct.

 

[retiredcamper47]

I agree with Rich about the electrical supply from the campground. Some campgrounds have their receptacles wired wrong in the pedistal or run too many hookups on one circuit. I use an inexpensive outlet checker on the plug prior to plugging my cord in. It uses a series of lights to tell whether the plug is ok. I have a voltage meter plugged into an outlet inside the trailer that tells me at a glance whether the voltage is normal or low coming into the trailer. You might be a candidate for having a "hard start" capacitor installed on your a/c. This has been discussed several times on this forum. Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[RichR]

You didn't mention it but I assume you were plugged straight in to a 30 amp receptacle at the campgrounds and not using an adapter to a 20 amp receptacle.

 

[kf6gzh]

30 amp

I was plugged right in to the 30 amp outlet with no adapter. That is a good idea to check the voltage load/no load. I had a voltmeter but did not think to check the voltage. I will do that next time. Thanks for your help. I will buy a new 30/20 breaker and try it too.

 

[PopRichie77]

Be sure the main shore wire is connected to the 30 amp breaker and the AirC is connected to the 20 amp breaker. We had the same problem with our 95T when we got it, upon checking I found the wires were reversed, was done at factory as I had a hard time to change as the wires were just long enough to fit on the wrong breakers. After switching the wires we had no further problem.

 

[kf6gzh]

Well the a/c only goes into one outlet, and thats the breaker that blows. (its the 30A main 20a a/c one) Hey how do these breakers come out? I want to try a new one.

 

[PopRichie77]

If it is similar to my 2209, you have to use a screw driver and remove the plastic cover and the metal cover plate.













if

 

[kf6gzh]

I have the cover off. and I see the breakers, do they snap in place? just pry it out with a screwdriver?

 

[RichR]

Most breakers snap in and out. If you don't see any screws other than where the wire connects it is probably a snap in. They usually hook over a rail and the back/bottom snaps in to the bus bar. There are a couple different types but they work basically the same.

 

[JMDoering]

Recommend you have the original breaker in hand when you go looking for a replacement. These things do not have a universal design, light light bulbs, and not all hardware suppliers carry all brands of breakers. They are good at supporting the breaker boxes they sell, and not good with other brands.

I've found a dedicated electrical supplier will have the best variety of breaker brands.... but even then, not always.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[RichR]

Good idea Jim. Having helped my friend in a hardware store I learned that having the part to be replaced brought in for comparison was a big help. It also saved the customer time and money.