Electrical problem

Mike2603 · 03-18-2017, 09:35 PM

Hello my name is Mike and I'm new to the pop up world. I just purchased a new to me 1989 Jayco pop up camper. I plugged the camper into my generator and everything worked as its supposed to until I turned my air conditioning unit on and I heard a loud buzzing noise coming from the 15 amp power distribution panel and the pop out breaker tripped. I checked the generator and noticed that I plugged the camper into the 30 amp outlet. I plugged the camper inot the correct outlet and turned everything of and tried to rest the breaker and it won't reset. All it does is make a clicking sound when I push the breaker in. Any suggestions would be great.

hoppers4 · 03-18-2017, 09:55 PM

If the breaker you're referring to is a GFI breaker, it won't reset unless it has power.

I'm not sure I understand when you say you were plugged into the 30 amp outlet. A 30 circuit uses a different type of plug. And actually it wouldn't make any difference if you were able to plug into a 30 amp circuit. That doesn't mean the genset will push that much current into the camper, but how much current is available to use at the camper.

Mike2603 · 03-18-2017, 10:16 PM

I didn't research this enough. I bought a generator on amazon that was recommended for use for small travel trailer or pop up and purchased the adapter that would let me connect to the 30 amp rv outlet on the generator. My cable from camper to external power is rated for 15 amps and looks like a standard 110 plug.... 2 prongs and a ground....

wags999 · 03-19-2017, 12:08 AM

Are you sure it was a 30 amp 120 volt outlet on your generator and not a 30 amp 240 volt outlet?

A 30 amp Rv uses 30 amps at 120. Compared to a dryer, which may use a 30 amp 240 volt service. If you connected to a 240 volt plug you may have major issues. Hopefully it was only 120

A few pictures may help get the correct assistance.

Good luck.

hoppers4 · 03-19-2017, 08:11 AM

Using an adapter to connect to the 30 amp outlet is perfectly acceptable and will not damage your RV. You've got something else going on here. The breaker could be defective, there's a wiring problem after the breaker, or something in the circuit is drawing enough current to trip the breaker.

Isaacs · 03-19-2017, 08:53 AM

Is the breaker you're trying to reset located in the trailer's panel or on the generator? If it's at the generator, I think I know what's going on. Is it a GFI?

Mike2603 · 03-19-2017, 10:07 AM

No it the panel in the camper.

Mike2603 · 03-19-2017, 10:08 AM

No its 30 amps at 120 volts on the generator.

Isaacs · 03-19-2017, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike2603

No it the panel in the camper.

Do you have another source of power to plug your camper into? If, for some reason, your generator were putting out low voltage your a/c will draw more current than usual in an effort to start and it will trip the breaker. Long extension cords can also be a source of low voltage.

Does the breaker hold ok when you're not trying to use the a/c?

I'm a bit surprised the camper has only a 15 amp cord; perhaps someone added it later? 15 amps is not usually considered enough to run a/c. My old popup did not even have a/c and it had a 30 amp cord and plug.

Jagiven · 03-19-2017, 03:31 PM

What make and model generator are you using? AC units pull alot of power. What else was turned on at the same time?

Isaacs · 03-19-2017, 03:49 PM

I just had another thought. (I don't get many!) Is it possible a previous owner used an adapter, then added an extension cord, then stuffed the whole thing back into the storage hole in the side of the camper? Perhaps the original 30 amp cord is still hiding in there someplace. That a/c is never going to run off of a cheap extension cord.

Mike2603 · 03-19-2017, 03:53 PM

I checked the camper owners manual and the 15 amp power panel and cord are original equipment to the camper. I have plugged the camper into my house and the breaker immediately trips and when I push the breaker in it will not reset just make a clicking sound. I had nothing running or plugged in.

Mike2603 · 03-19-2017, 03:57 PM

Brand new champion 3500. I bought it specifically for the pop up after much research. Don't think the generator is the issue. I tested it by plugging a huge window ac unit in and it worked fine.

**Mustang65** · 03-19-2017, 04:09 PM

Was the AC an option, or does it look like the previous owner may have added it? I find it hard to believe that they would put an AC unit on camper and use a 15Amp plug. Sounds like the previous owner may have made some of his/her modifications. To run the AC you need at least a 20Amp fused line, as they can draw 18Amps on start up and that 15Amp cable may get pretty hot.

You may want to also check to see if 110VAC is wired properly.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Mike2603 · 03-19-2017, 04:36 PM

I looked at the owners manual and it did not come with an ac. I looked up ac model number online and it is a somewhat newer unit. I contacted previous owner and was told the plugged the ac directly to shore power or generator if they were in an area that didn't have power. I think I fried my power panel. Any suggestions as to where I can get another panel.

Isaacs · 03-20-2017, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike2603

I looked at the owners manual and it did not come with an ac. I looked up ac model number online and it is a somewhat newer unit. I contacted previous owner and was told the plugged the ac directly to shore power or generator if they were in an area that didn't have power. I think I fried my power panel. Any suggestions as to where I can get another panel.

This answers a lot of questions. So the a/c has a cord on it and has to be plugged in, correct?

Can I assume the original panel that came with the camper is just a tiny thing with one 15 amp breaker in it? Is there a converter plugged in somewhere that goes to another panel to take care of your 12 volt needs?

I've never looked for new panels but I'm sure they're available. I guess the right way to handle this would be to find out what comes with a newer camper that is similar to yours (but with factory a/c) and buy a panel just like it. That way you can hard wire your a/c and you'll have a proper 30 amp cord to power the whole works. This is going to require some work and cash on your part if you're up to it. You would also have to make sure there is enough space for a new panel. And don't forget about your 12 volt requirements.

Another way to handle this might be to simply replace the offending 15 amp breaker which probably just plugs in. I can't tell, but that may be all that is wrong. You would still have to plug the a/c in using it's own cord. If you need an extension cord, be sure it's as short as possible and no smaller than #12 wire.

Mike2603 · 03-20-2017, 10:46 AM

Yes the air conditioner has it's own cord. The old panel has the ac power distribution and inverter all in same box and it is sealed with rivets. And the 15 amp breaker that pops out when tripped and you have to push in to reset.

Isaacs · 03-21-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike2603

Yes the air conditioner has it's own cord. The old panel has the ac power distribution and inverter all in same box and it is sealed with rivets. And the 15 amp breaker that pops out when tripped and you have to push in to reset.

Personally, I'd be drilling out the rivets and trying to fix it but you may not feel up to that. (Nothing to lose) You seem to be stuck with trying to buy/build a new panel.

bwalton · 03-23-2017, 10:57 AM

In 1989 A/C wasn't available from the factory. It was a dealer installed option.

The first thing I would try is to replace the breaker. The system has an over current protection breaker and, with luck, it did its job and protected the rest of the system.

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