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Old 01-19-2020, 10:16 AM   #1
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15A is not enough!

Our 2019 Jayco SLX Baja/Rocky Mtn 248RBSW has ALL 7 available double 120V AC outlets running through one 15A breaker. Since our Dometic furnace quit working, we are trying to use a 1500W oil radiator and it keeps tripping the breaker. Now I know this is dangerous heresy, but is it possible to replace the 15A breaker with a 20A so we don't freeze at night?
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:20 AM   #2
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what else is on the circuit? yes you can put in a 20amp fuse but then if the wires feeding do not allow for that amount of current you will become rather warm fast and possibly on fire.. you can roast marshmallows while you watch it burn I suppose...
Especially in this situation where you are drawing a constant load if it was just a quick 20amps like when an appliance is started not to big a deal but a constant draw is the issue.

I have a 1500W heater an have never blown the fuse while it is running... so you are drawing more than 15amps or you are running something off the same circuit... only you know what that may be.. fridge? tv? lights? does your 1500w heater take more than 15 amps? what is it's max current draw?
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:21 AM   #3
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A 20a circuit is going to need 12 gauge wire to support it. I doubt that there is 12 gauge anywhere in your Jayco outlet circuits.

How about plugging your heater in to your microwave outlet? I'm not positive, but I think that it my be separate from the rest of the outlets. Is it on a separate breaker?
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:22 AM   #4
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How about an extension cord to another outlet on the power ped? Keep in mind most HD extension cords sold in big box home improvement stores are 15a rated. Swapping the breaker would work but potentially overload the existing wiring and the outlet itself.
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:36 AM   #5
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I have run 1500 watt heaters and never blown a breaker but I also did not run a coffee maker, microwave or other big user at the same time. If you are not, then the breaker you have may just be a little weaker than a full 15 amps.

If you can get enough heat how about running it at the 750 watt setting if yours is like mine it has low and high.
I would drop in a new breaker before doing anything else. you can use a separate drop cord to the pedestal as mentioned before as a temporary fix. It is not hard and simple to do, especially if you unhook the power before you work on it (LOL).
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:42 AM   #6
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I would drop in a new breaker before doing anything else. you can use a separate drop cord to the pedestal as mentioned before as a temporary fix. It is not hard and simple to do, especially if you unhook the power before you work on it (LOL).
Good advice: I'll do that.
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:45 AM   #7
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How about plugging your heater in to your microwave outlet? I'm not positive, but I think that it my be separate from the rest of the outlets. Is it on a separate breaker?
The microwave has a 20A breaker so I would like to do that but I don't know where the outlet is or if it is hard wired.

Found it.
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:47 AM   #8
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The microwave has a 20A breaker so I would like to do that but I don't know where the outlet is or if it is hard wired.
In my Jay Feather, the plug is in the back of the cabinet next to where the Microwave is mounted. I'm not sure where yours would be, but it has to be close to the unit.
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:49 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Edpare View Post
The microwave has a 20A breaker so I would like to do that but I don't know where the outlet is or if it is hard wired.
Should be in a cabinet by the micro, unless it's behind it.
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Old 01-19-2020, 10:49 AM   #10
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I had an oil heater and it kept popping the breaker. I purchased one of those small heaters with a fan and it works great. They are not expensive. It doesn't take a lot to heat the camper.
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Old 01-19-2020, 11:37 AM   #11
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I would find another heater.
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Old 01-19-2020, 01:28 PM   #12
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If I am plugged in to electricity I run a heavy duty extension cord inside and plug my electric heater to that. Nothing else is on it and it has always worked fine.
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Old 01-19-2020, 02:23 PM   #13
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Just a thought here, when I worked we had some of our equipment that was always tripping breakers and they were not drawing anywhere near the amp on the breaker. Electrician that worked for us said that breakers do get weak after time, and that they are not completely an end all. They do have a time frame or so many use cycle so not sure if you can change that out and see what happens or just switch with a different one in the trailer.
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Old 01-19-2020, 03:41 PM   #14
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I wonder if the OPs converter/battery charger is on that same circuit, plus other items. If so, it along with the heater would definitely overload that circuit.
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Old 01-19-2020, 04:10 PM   #15
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If I remember right code is 15A circuit is for lighting and 20A is for plugs. To make the job easier for the electrical inspectors 20A plug wire is 12ga and the outside insulation is yellow in color. 15A wire is 14ga and the outside insulation is white. I believe plug and lighting circuits are not supposed to be mixed either. The bigger question is does the National Electrical Code cover RV's? Probably not because I've never seen yellow wire anywhere in mine.
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Old 01-19-2020, 04:10 PM   #16
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I had a problem with my air conditioner breaker tripping. Found out that the wire to the breaker was loose. I cut power, and tighten up the wire to the breaker and the tripping stopped.
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Old 01-19-2020, 04:27 PM   #17
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Go get a 20 amp extension cord, 12 gauge, and plug it into the stub. Run it in through the window and plug in your heater. Do not use anything smaller or you will wake up on fire.
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Old 01-20-2020, 09:45 AM   #18
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15A is not 15A

I figured out my problem: my 1500 watt heater uses 12.5 A on high (1500W/120V=12.5A) and my 15A utility outlet breaker can only maintain 12.5A continuous (80% of 15A). Unfortunately, there are also many little continuous drains like chargers for our electronics, TV, etc. So we use the heater at 900W except on very cold mornings when we will use the 20A microwave outlet which will output 16A continuous.

I think my math is right

Our furnace may be fixed this week. YAY!
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Old 01-20-2020, 10:04 AM   #19
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I wanted to do the same thing on my Greyhawk. I verified wire size on the outlets circuit and it was 14 gauge. Jayco opted to go with minimum wire sizes rather than wire the whole thing with 12 gauge. You can't safely replace the breaker with 20A.
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Old 01-22-2020, 12:02 PM   #20
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Fridge and outlet out

Had a small appliance plugged into the galley plug to the left of the stove. Knocked the fridge out and the outlet. All breakers and fuses look good. GFCI in the head is ok.. Is there another GFCI that controls the fridge and the galley plug?
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