Ac unit trips breaker

MI

Mike Murphy

New Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Posts
7
Hi folks, I?m new to this forum, I hope to learn a lot from you guys. I have a 92 southwind, my ac unit likes to trip its breaker a couple times a day in the afternoon. I?ve changed the breaker to a new one, same amp size, book says 20amp. I?ve cleaned the evap and condenser. Sometimes it will stop blowing cold air, but not that often. It has even tripped the breaker in the middle of the night. Other times it will run fine for 2-3 days straight. Ive checked for any cold air leaks, all seems normal. I?ve been told it may simply be getting old and may need to replaced. Thanks for the help, Mike
 
What is the voltage coming into the RV? 

Low voltage to the air conditioner will actually increase the current flow and can cause the air conditioner to fail.

I have a digital volt meter plugged into one of my electrical outlets and when the power drops to 105 volts I shut off my air conditioners.
 
Thanks, I?ve been testing how you do, in the AM I?m getting 120v, in the hottest part of day, it has dropped dropped down to 107v. It hasn?t been quite as hot though, the unit hasn?t shut off during the tests yet, I?ll keep my multi meter plugged in and keep checking.
 
Mike Murphy said:
in the hottest part of day, it has dropped dropped down to 107v.
Click to expand...

107V is right on the edge of being too low. At lower voltage the unit draws more amps, along with running hot. This alone could be the issue. Unless you have another stronger circuit you can plug into that doesn't sag in the afternoons, the only way to boost the voltage is with a fairly pricey autoformer
 
Sun2Retire said:
107V is right on the edge of being too low. At lower voltage the unit draws more amps, along with running hot. This alone could be the issue. Unless you have another stronger circuit you can plug into that doesn't sag in the afternoons, the only way to boost the voltage is with a fairly pricey autoformer
Click to expand...

When my power gets that low I shut off my air conditioners for the reasons Sun2retire mentioned.
 
Do everything you can to not contribute to the voltage sag, for example be sure both the fridge and water heater are on gas not electric. This matters more when you're trying to run on a 15-20 amp receptacle but it could help slightly. Even a volt or two could make a difference
 
My recent and prior story The recent one is more detailed

About a month ago at 91 degrees CLICK and the A/C tripped the breaker (one of 'em)

IN did a visual inspection and did not see any problem ended up watering the beast (Mist of water from a misting nozzle) to keep cool

Well then it started doing it at 80+

Finally I got up there again and sure enough ... Crud (I did not see it the first time but after watering it showed up) broomed the condenser coils (Removed cowling and cleaned them ON MY A/C's the air is sucked in through the condenser (Coleman style) not blown out so I only have to remove the OUTER cowling) and it's only tripped once since, and that was due to a power "Blink" (less than 10 second power loss) we had two of 'em the 2nd time it held (Compressor was off).

I"d recommend a  visual inspection of the condenser. Likely your A/C BLOWS so you will have to remove both the outer cowling and the inner cover over the condenser to clean it.
 
sorry, I have a 1992 Southwind. Over the weekend it was running with no issues, turned it off this morning before work, got home and it?s tripped about 4 times, today?s high temps got up to 110. So to my work travel schedule, I chose to live in my RV, it?s way easier on my wallet, just saying. I have my power inlet on a 50amp supply. With the AC off, a wall outlet shows voltage in the afternoon as low as 104v. While the AC was on, I?ve seen the voltage drop to 104v and stay on, over the weekend. Frickin puzzling.
 
That 104 voltage is likely your problem - the amps go up as the volts fall.  Measure the voltage right at the 50A outlet. If it's low there, back track to its source and measure there.  A high resistance wire connection or inadequate wire size between the source and the outlet can lower the voltage, but first need to isolate where the voltage is going down.
 
  I've just joined & I'm from Phoenix area too, cannot be without AC here it being 113-115 the past week, monsoons are suppose to come this week. I'm heading out across the states back to Ohio-Kentucky area (I always liked the storms here)so I'll miss them but probably be driving in the rain whole way. Hope you figured out AC stuff.  I jumped in with both feet and got 38ft motor home & eventually will be living in it full time. Not sure if it will be here or the 80 acres in Kentucky or maybe everywhere.  bye 
 
It may not be the culprit, but while playing bloodhound, I found my ac/fan switch it toasted. How common are the switches, Coleman 1992 southwiind 32ft? Thanks again for everyone?s help ?
 
Where is the switch?? Part of the thermostat?? If so, I see a new thermostat in your near future!! (Make and Model of ac and thermostat will likely get a better answer!!)
 
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