Electric heaters tripping 15A breaker. Upgrade possible?

[Famtraveler24]

Hi everyone. I have 2 electric heaters in my 2800BH to cut down on propane use. Problem is, they keep tripping the combo (GFI/microwave) 15/15 breaker switch. Is it possible to upgrade this switch to a 20 to prevent this?

Thanks.

[Jims94vmx]

Have you tried a different outlet? You are overloading 1 circuit, try to use 2 circuits. 1 for each heater.

[Famtraveler24]

Maybe I'll try that
I have them plugged into 2 separate outlets now. Thx!

[FT4NOW]

Electric heaters draw about 12A, they need to be on separate circuits. Separate outlets dont necessarily mean separate circuits. You should figure out which outlets are on each circuit. Just open all your breakers, shut one at a time and see what has power, make a list of what outlet is on each circuit and you should be good.

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[Richter]

Hi everyone. I have 2 electric heaters in my 2800BH to cut down on propane use. Problem is, they keep tripping the combo (GFI/microwave) 15/15 breaker switch. Is it possible to upgrade this switch to a 20 to prevent this?

Thanks.

The 15-amp breaker is in place to protect the wiring, which is probably only rated to 15-amps. Upgrading to a 20-amp breaker will allow the wiring to be overloaded, which can lead to overheating and, potentially, a fire.

[huntindog]

Maybe I'll try that
I have them plugged into 2 separate outlets now. Thx!

Do you have 30 or 50 amp service?
With 30 amp., it is more difficult to use two heaters as the converter may need to run and can draw a 1000 watts or so. Yes you can turn it off, but the batteries may run low. It can be done, if you are willing to actively participate in power management.

With 50 amps, it is easy.

[RickLight]

Maybe I'll try that
I have them plugged into 2 separate outlets now. Thx!

This is a common misperception. Multiple outlets are often on a single circuit, at home or in an RV.

[Viper02]

Id be looking at the self contained RV style outlets .. they are poorly installed quite often and this will cause the outlet to draw more current than a properly installed commercial grade outlet would... its an easy up grade to accomplish on your 120 volts AC outlets if you have some basic skill sets

IMO the Self Contained OEM RV style outlets are junk. They meet the NEC standard but the amount of actual surface contact the wires make with the spring clips is marginal at best....

The industry uses these because they are quick to install and get the job done.. sometimes... IF the person using the SCD tool to install the wires into this type of outlet isn't experienced or doesn't check his work then you end up with a 120 volt AC outlet that may fail due to intermittent or no connection problem down the road

Additionally.. with many folks running inside space heaters and lots of high wattage appliances like an instapot, toaster, crock pot, hair dryer the outlet is drawing a lot of current with marginal surface contact at the wire to spring clamping feature on the back of the SC style outlet.

A simple low cost upgrade for all your 120 volt AC outlets would be to remove the SC style RV outlet and install in its place a "Old Work Box" SHALLOW style outlet box with a new 120 volt AC receptacle using the style with screws on the side to attach the wires.

This will give you an outlet that can safely and reliably draw current and wont vibrate loose after towing down less than stellar roads.

I've done this with my all of my OEM SC style outlets I immediately noticed the outlet in the kitchen my wife uses for her appliances is much cooler to the touch..

I also removed the OEM fireplace and replaced that outlet as well.. a bit more work to remove the fireplace but worth the effort

The pieces and parts needed to upgrade your SC style RV outlets can be found at any Lowes or Home Depot or ordered on line

Old Work Shallow Box:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-1...RSWR/202077341

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CARLON-1-Ga...l-Box/50425678

***There are a few other style "Old Work Shallow" single gang boxes that may suit your particular RV better then the ones I've shown but these worked fine for my application

Replacement 120 volt 15 amp outlet:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...-ECP/301361472

You can buy the outlets in bulk ( ten per pack) and save a bit... I bought bulk

Images of a typical OEM SC style RV outlet.. you can see there was minimal contact and one pic it looks like the spring clamp didn't penetrate the wire insulation at all

If you have some basic electrical skills this is an easy task to complete and will assure you that your RV 120 volt AC outlets are safer and more reliable..

And of course.. safety is paramount. Disconnect shore power or kill the 120 volt AC breaker on the outlets your going to work on

[sgrol60]

Id be looking at the self contained RV style outlets .. they are poorly installed quite often and this will cause the outlet to draw more current than a properly installed commercial grade outlet would... its an easy up grade to accomplish on your 120 volts AC outlets if you have some basic skill sets

IMO the Self Contained OEM RV style outlets are junk. They meet the NEC standard but the amount of actual surface contact the wires make with the spring clips is marginal at best....

Thanks for this post. I have seen these terrible RV receptacles and considered doing this too. You just made up my mind to get it done.

[50ST8R]

Hi everyone. I have 2 electric heaters in my 2800BH to cut down on propane use. Problem is, they keep tripping the combo (GFI/microwave) 15/15 breaker switch. Is it possible to upgrade this switch to a 20 to prevent this?

Thanks.

Typically those little heaters Pull as much as 10-12 amps so depending on what what is on the circuit it could be overloaded. Make sure they are plugged into separate circuits. If you can plug one into a GFCI and one not you are pretty sure to have to separate circuits.


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