A/C breaker trips

[Robin]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> When the compressor cycles on, the AC can (very briefly) draw well
> over 20 amps. Most circuit breakers are able to ignore the transient
> draw -- so I'd suspect a bad breaker that's too sensitive.
>
> As for shore power with 15 amp circuit, I would expect the breaker to
> trip almost immediately. The standard rooftop ACs draw 14+ amps
> normally and _any_ other load (lights, battery charger, water heater
> electric element) will put you way over the top. It's hard enough to
> keep the AC (and other typical loads) happy on a 30 amp circuit.
>
> Go buy a 12 gauge extension cord. A "skinny" cord is probably dumping
> a lot of energy as heat instead of delivering it to your coach -- and
> it's a dangerous fire risk. Look at "contractors" extensions in a
> home center for a 12 gauge model. Get a cord that's as close to the
> actual length you need as extra cord will reduce the electrical
> efficiency.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Jun 29, 2008, at 12:15 PM, John Churchill wrote:
>
> > Well, I just got my generator started for the first time ever. Onan
> > 7kW with a 20 amp and 30 amp breaker. When I turn on the forward A/C,
> > it runs for a while (a couple of minutes), then trips the 20 amp
> > breaker, even with everything else switched off. When the AC is off,
> > the breaker does not trip. I have only used shorepower on a 15 amp
> > circuit (with a long skinny cord to boot) and it trips that too,
> > although I am not sure that is a good test. The owner's manual says
> > that unit ought to draw 14 amps. I understand there is a much bigger
> > transient load as it cycles, but shouldn't it be able to handle that?
> > The rear A/C unit does not seem to run, so nothing to report there.
> > Any ideas of what to do or check? Thanks.
> >
>
Pete-
Thanks for the assist.

My primary shorepower problem is lack of a good household circuit. I
need to get an electrician to create a new 220 V, 50 amp RV shorepower
outlet.

The genset (and breaker) are a few years old,
but just today run for the first time. The breaker does not trip when
the unit is first turned on, only after it has run a bit. It may be a
bad breaker, but I am thinking probably something else. Any other ideas?