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Thread: Three A/C Rig Question
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06-19-2021, 07:07 AM #1
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Three A/C Rig Question
Our 2021 Solitude 380FL has 3 A/C units. The A/C in the kitchen area keeps tripping its 15 amp breaker. This A/C unit is also a heat pump. The A/C's in the living area and bedroom are both standard A/C units and are on 20 amp circuits. Is this correct that the kitchen A/C would only be a 15 amp circuit, or is the breaker wrong? A/C runs for about a minute before it trips.
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06-19-2021, 07:15 AM #2
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If the kitchen AC is a 15K BTU unit, it should be on a 20A breaker. You would need to verify that the wiring is #12 before increasing the breaker size as #14 wire is only rated for 15A. It's possible the wrong breaker was installed at the factory.
If the AC is a 13.5BTU and tripping a 15A breaker, then you have a problem elsewhere.2010 Jayco 26(SOLD)
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06-19-2021, 07:17 AM #3
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I agree, at first that does sound like it may be on too small of a breaker. Maybe you could install a Micro-Air Soft-Start system so that it uses less energy to get the compressor going, which could resolve your issues with the breaker blowing after a minute and it would also help the system last longer since it no longer Jolts the compressor into a working phase. That's just my thoughts. I've installed one of them in each of our 2 rooftop Coleman's for longevity reasons, and the ability to be on 30amp if necessary. They're a very easy item to install, and it gets you into your AC system so that you can see what cleaning it will be like in the future during routine maintenance.
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06-19-2021, 05:46 PM #4
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Looked at the build sheet and all 3 A/C's are in fact 15K BTUs. I'll call GD customer service to see if they can verify by the serial number whether it should be 20 amp or 15 amp before doing anything myself.
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06-19-2021, 05:58 PM #5
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You will get a better result by calling Airxcel tech support.
You can drop the grill inside and somewhere up in the unit there should be a manufacturers data sticker giving all of the specs on the unit.2010 Jayco 26(SOLD)
2011 Keystone Outback 277RL(SOLD)
2021 Grand Design 268BH
2013 Ford F250 XLT, 6.2L Gas
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06-19-2021, 06:12 PM #6
Since it is tripping a 15 amp breaker, it is a really safe bet that it is indeed a 15K unit as it is suppossed to be.
Likely has the wrong breaker installed. As was already said, do NOT put a 20 amp breaker in if it does not have 12GA wire... It is possible they also installed the wrong wire as well. This is a real simple thing to check. With the unit unplugged, just remove the breaker box cover so you can see the wires. Since you do have 20 amp circuits, you have something to compare it to. If the 15 amp wire is the same as the 20 amp wires.... 5.00 for a new breaker , 5 minutes with a screwdiver and you will be all fixed up. If the wire size is too small, then get Grand Design involved2021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
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06-20-2021, 07:29 AM #7
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Just FYI - All my AC units (1 15k & 2 13.5k) have 20 amp breakers. As mentioned above, look in your panel and verify wire size but they are probably all the same. You should be able to just change the breaker.
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07-16-2021, 06:24 PM #8
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Update 07/16/21
Had a chance to pull the breaker panel and the wire to the breaker is only 14 ga. So just increasing to a 20 amp breaker isn't an option. Put a service request in for the National Rally.
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12-25-2021, 07:56 AM #9
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Update 12/25/21
At the national rally back in August, service techs were stumped that the unit was wired from the factory with 14 ga wire and a 15 amp breaker.
Rig is currently in for a list of warranty work and the A/C was on the list. Turns out the unit is bad and they are replacing the A/C under warranty. Since new units come with a soft start, wonder if this replacement will have that already. Hope so.New: 2021 Solitude 380FL
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12-25-2021, 10:49 AM #10
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A 15KBTU unit requires a 20A breaker and 12ga wire. You can not just replace a breaker with one of a higher amp rating to eliminate nuisance trips. To do so is asking for a fire and a denial of an insurance claim. The breaker is there to protect the wire, not the device.
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