Breaker popping

HappyKamper

HappyKamper

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I have a 2004 Formula 40PC. When I'm plugged in to shore power, after about 5-6 hours I'm popping my 30amp breaker. I reset it and it stays for about 5-6 more hours. The only things I have running on that leg is the battery charger, A/C (16,000BTU) and small refrigerator.
I have checked the amperage. With battery charger and small refrig I have about 4 amps. Once the A/C comes on, the a/c pump brings it up to 5-6 amps. Once the compressor starts it quickly jumps to 35-36 amps for a quick second then settles down to 12-13 amps The breaking limit on the breaker is 40amps. Having 30 amps at start up high for 16000 btu ? The a/c unit is only 2 years old. All connections look clean and firm. Possible for the breaker to go bad?
Thank you.
 
HappyKamper said:
Possible for the breaker to go bad?
Click to expand...
Yes.

In fact, if a replacement breaker is available and "not too expensive", I would swap it out.

While a breaker can fail in "an obvious fashion", over time they can "slow fail" and move out of spec. There is no convenient way to test for out of spec ( that I am aware of ) so component swapping becomes the remedy of first choice.

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Of course, if the failure continues to express itself, further hunting is indicated. But I would swap the breaker as a first step.

YMMV.
 
First step is replace the breaker as they do degrade.
Second step would be a soft start kit for the AC
 
If the breaker trips when the AC compressor starts up the soft start would be a good idea. I wonder if there are loose connections around the breaker as well. Examine the connections carefully for damage due to heat etc..
 
I would indeed start with replacing the breaker, cheap and easy. I guess it only happens after a few hours when the breaker is hot but then why resetting fixes it for a few hours …

30 amps seems a bit high on start up for a 16k BTU, that would be my next step if a new breaker doesn’t fix it.
 
People are running two 15k btu ACs on RVs if they are both equipped with soft start.
 
The breaker is a double pole 30 amp. The original is out of production. I'm working on finding a replacement.
In the mean while I cleaned all contacts and switched the breaker out with the #2 side of the panel. Lets see if the problem follows the breaker?
Thank you all for your thoughts.
 
That's probably a function of the loads on the #2 side. How is the voltage coming into the boat? IIRC when the voltage is low the current will be higher.
 
boatbum said:
That's probably a function of the loads on the #2 side. How is the voltage coming into the boat? IIRC when the voltage is low the current will be higher.
Click to expand...
I assume the voltage coming in is fine? I popped the breaker while in 3 different marinas. So I know its not the supply.
 
HappyKamper said:
The breaker is a double pole 30 amp. The original is out of production. I'm working on finding a replacement.
In the mean while I cleaned all contacts and switched the breaker out with the #2 side of the panel. Lets see if the problem follows the breaker?
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Could probably use a classified breaker, but what kind is it? Between Square D, Eaton, and Siemens, someone should make it if the panel is 2004ish vintage.

You could try to find the trip curve for that breaker and see if it's a "legit" trip or not, but my guess is the sustained load then sudden inrush current when the compressor kicks on (coupled with a good chance of low voltage on the docks when everyone is pulling A/C load) is pushing it over the edge and it is "legit". Standard breakers are cheap, no harm in replacing it, but a soft start is good idea for the compressor's sake as well.

What kind of breaker? BR (Bryant)? Eaton makes those, easy to find and cheap.
 
I just changed by breakers in my 2006 and it solved lots of issues.... good luck
 
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