Keep tripping circuit

penwia

Snow Scape
Joined
Oct 28, 2024
Messages
105
Location
Skokie Ill U.S
Good evening all! Need to tap into the geniuses of this forum: I have been using a small electric heater while tinkering in the trailer. I did not want to waste my propane, since I am hooked up to electric. I am plugged into a 20 amp outlet on the side of the garage using the adapter. The Heater is 1500w, and it was fine for a few weeks. Now this week, I turn it on and after about 10 minutes or so, it trips the circuit and all the 110 outlets are off. This has happened about 3 times now. Any ideas? is this heater too powerful? Is there an electrical issue I need to figure out. This is a brand new trailer. I have not taken it out yet. Still playing with it and learning about it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2731.jpeg
    IMG_2731.jpeg
    87.1 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_2732.jpeg
    IMG_2732.jpeg
    170.5 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
I Have it set to about 65, and low fan, the same as it's been. I do have the fridge on AC, now. Could that be it? I would think the fridge is on a different circuit, however.
 
all the LEDs in the whole trailer on at once probably don't add up to 3 amps at 12VDC... actually, let me test that right now....

ok, background DC load with everything I can think of shut off was 0.2 amps. that might be the USB chargers, I dunno. with every interior light on, it was 1.75-1.8 amps. Now I have all 4 captains lights, plus 5 single and 3 double ceiling lights, however many of them have reduced wattage warmer LEDs as the original ones were just too bright and cold white. Anyways, just the lighting is a hair over 1.50 amp in my case. fridge, maxxfan, water pump, furnace all off. sun is down so 0.00 amps solar.
 
Wouldn't a fridge on AC and a 1500W heater be enough to possibly trip a 20A breaker?

Ron
Fridge at 200 watts (??) and heater at 1500 (on high), reasonable possibility of tripping a 20A breaker.

Easy test, turn the fridge off for an hour, heater running.
 
1500W heater is about 12-13 amps. (1500 watts / 120 volts = 12.5A). A large Absorption fridge on AC is maybe 250 watts, about 2 amps. combined, thats under 15 amps, never mind 20A. Do note, household circuits in the USA tend to be 15 amp, not 20A... 20A outlets have a 'T' shaped pin as a 20A plug has one pin rotated 90 degrees.
 
John, that was my thought, it runs in the house just fine, which is why I am wondering if I have an electrical issue in the trailer somewhere. I will try tuning off the fridge tomorrow to see what happens but from what I can remember, they are on a different circuit.
 
fyi, I usually use my small electric heaters on the 'low' setting which is typically 750 watts. in a small space like an Escape, thats plenty enough heat once things have come up to temp. I also try and find said small electric heaters that HAVE said 'low' setting...
 
fyi, I usually use my small electric heaters on the 'low' setting which is typically 750 watts. in a small space like an Escape, thats plenty enough heat once things have come up to temp. I also try and find said small electric heaters that HAVE said 'low' setting...
John is on the right track. Escape trailers typically have two circuits, one covers the outside and kitchen area, the other covers the rest of the trailer. Both are 15 amp circuits wired with 14 AWG cable. It is not wise to run anything that is close to or at the capacity of a 15 amp outlet. A 1500 watt heater would fall into the “close to” category. If all outlets are going out, I would conclude you are tripping the trailer’s main 30 amp circuit breaker, or the circuit breaker that controls the outside garage outlet. By code, this outlet should be ground fault protected and ground fault breakers and outlets can weaken over time especially if they are frequently tripped. You did not indicate which is being tripped, but I would guess from your explanation it is the circuit the shore power cord is plugged into (garage). Just as John has stated, I would suggest you get a lower watt heater (I can keep my 5.0TA at 72° F in temperature around 32° F with a 900/1,500 watt ceramic heater set on 900 watts). If a lower watt heater doesn’t stop the tripping, I would consider replacing the component that is tripping (a GFCI circuit breaker or a GFCI outlet).
 
John, that was my thought, it runs in the house just fine, which is why I am wondering if I have an electrical issue in the trailer somewhere. I will try tuning off the fridge tomorrow to see what happens but from what I can remember, they are on a different circuit.
Determining your problem depends on what is tripping.
If the breaker for your outlet circuit in the trailer is tripping, you may be overloading that circuit.
If the main breaker in the trailer is tripping you are overloading some circuit(s).
If a GFCI is tripping, you may be overloading it or it may be a problem with the GFCI.
If the house circuit is tripping it sounds like a problem with either that GFCI or you are overloading the circuit.
Please clarify where the problem is occuring.
 
C&G, YES!!!! The breaker that keeps tripping is the 30 amp in the trailer. I am suspecting like some of you have already said, the heater is the culprit. I will look for one that uses less wattage. Thank you all!! I will keep you posted.
 
penwia, just out of curiosity, is your water heater on electric heat while you're having this tripping problem? If so you might try turning it off to see how that affects your problem. We are also among those who heat with a ceramic cube set to 750 watts which helps keep power loading balanced.

John
 
penwia, just out of curiosity, is your water heater on electric heat while you're having this tripping problem? If so you might try turning it off to see how that affects your problem. We are also among those who heat with a ceramic cube set to 750 watts which helps keep power loading balanced.

John
No water heater or pump. It's winterized and just sitting in my back yard. From what I am learning I think since I am plugged into a 20amp outlet, the 1500W heater is drawing too much, hence the tripping. I just got a smaller heater that will pull 750W max to see what happens.
 
Update: I got a smaller heater that is 350W max. After about 15m the breaker tripped again. Do I have a bad breaker? Is there another issue? This is a brand new Camper, so just very confused.
 
Shut everything down, unplug the trailer. Turn off the battery. Open the electrical panel up and take a screwdriver and start checking torque on screws. If the connection on the main breaker is loose, it could be heating up and causing the breaker to trip. Its new, things get missed. Tightening all electric connections should be a annual inspection item but on a new one, especially should be checked.

A typical fridge on AC is 350 to 425 watts if it is 6 cubic foot or so.

Yes, make sure your water heater is switched off (outside, open the panel, find the red switch on the lower LH side, turn it off.)

I'm betting on a loose connection, on the breaker, or the neutral bar. Check all of the 12v connections while it is shut down.

Also, pull the GFCI receptacle out of the box and check the screws on it at the wire terminals. Be careful, if any or loose, wires may pull out and then you lose track of where they go.

Charles
 
Shut everything down, unplug the trailer. Turn off the battery. Open the electrical panel up and take a screwdriver and start checking torque on screws. If the connection on the main breaker is loose, it could be heating up and causing the breaker to trip. Its new, things get missed. Tightening all electric connections should be a annual inspection item but on a new one, especially should be checked.

A typical fridge on AC is 350 to 425 watts if it is 6 cubic foot or so.

Yes, make sure your water heater is switched off (outside, open the panel, find the red switch on the lower LH side, turn it off.)

I'm betting on a loose connection, on the breaker, or the neutral bar. Check all of the 12v connections while it is shut down.

Also, pull the GFCI receptacle out of the box and check the screws on it at the wire terminals. Be careful, if any or loose, wires may pull out and then you lose track of where they go.

Charles
Thank you!! Good idea!! I will do that tomorrow.
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom