Need some insight

[NaturalFlavored]

Hey I don't have a 5th wheel but my grandma does. I'm trying to help her out because we live in az and with the ac and fridge plugged in she says she can only use one other appliance or TV. Is this normal? She said she will blow the fuse if she tries, it's a 2014 heartland sundance 30 amp.
Is this normal? Is there something we can do other then convert it to 50 amp?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The best thing she can do is run the fridge on propane. The real problem is if 50 amp service is even an option in the park.

I know of one I was asked to look at was really only set up for winter visitors. Now that more visitors are staying for the summer, the power is lacking.

 

[NaturalFlavored]

The best thing she can do is run the fridge on propane. The real problem is if 50 amp service is even an option in the park.

I know of one I was asked to look at was really only set up for winter visitors. Now that more visitors are staying for the summer, the power is lacking.

Well its wired to be a 30 Amp 5th wheel, now if he run the fridge off propane or can we run a generator as well.

 

[Wemustrv]

I am not familiar with your unit however it should handle more of a load than that. If it is tripping that is an indication of an overload. While it is not common circuit breakers so go bad and trip prematurely. Make sure all connections to the breaker and the outlets are secure. I would recommend metering the loads and see what the draw is on the system. There could be an issue with one of the appliances.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I am not familiar with your unit however it should handle more of a load than that. If it is tripping that is an indication of an overload. While it is not common circuit breakers so go bad and trip prematurely. Make sure all connections to the breaker and the outlets are secure. I would recommend metering the loads and see what the draw is on the system. There could be an issue with one of the appliances.

The problem is along the Colorado River the temperatures are pushing 120 degrees right now during the day! The 80% ratings at 86 degrees are considerably less because of that. That as you know is for every part in the circuit.

My guess would be the only parts that could handle the current would be the buried wire. The constant load on a 30 amp breaker under normal conditions, and this time of year are not normal NEC conditions, is 24 amps. Top this off with the fact that the breaker, is in this 120 in the shaded temperature, rather than in a climate controlled house, no!!! I would think, and have seen many times, that she is lucky to be able to run more than the roof shaker on a 30 amp circuit.

The "dry heat" of Arizona enabled many residents to use swamp cooling equipment for years. Now it seems that is objectionable to most. But we must still live with the laws of nature!!!

Up to about 2 weeks ago that swamp cooler was how I was dealing with the az desert. Now I "almost" cool my rig with a window shaker connected to a grid tied 20 amp circuit, and a 10awg cord.

Not that I know what I am doing, because if I wanted to help myself, I would pull my rig to northern az where I could have reasonable temperatures .

 

[Trav_lr]

Is the breaker tripping at the power pedestal or at the box inside the trailer?
One thing to rule out ...... loose wires cause resistance which = overheated wires = tripping breakers

 

[AbdRahim]

30 A is very limited. On my Forester, if AC and refer on, and the hot water heater kicked in, it would pop the breaker some places. Had to turn off AC, or water heater, to use the Keurig.

 

[Wemustrv]

The problem is along the Colorado River the temperatures are pushing 120 degrees right now during the day! The 80% ratings at 86 degrees are considerably less because of that. That as you know is for every part in the circuit.

My guess would be the only parts that could handle the current would be the buried wire. The constant load on a 30 amp breaker under normal conditions, and this time of year are not normal NEC conditions, is 24 amps. Top this off with the fact that the breaker, is in this 120 in the shaded temperature, rather than in a climate controlled house, no!!! I would think, and have seen many times, that she is lucky to be able to run more than the roof shaker on a 30 amp circuit.

The "dry heat" of Arizona enabled many residents to use swamp cooling equipment for years. Now it seems that is objectionable to most. But we must still live with the laws of nature!!!

Up to about 2 weeks ago that swamp cooler was how I was dealing with the az desert. Now I "almost" cool my rig with a window shaker connected to a grid tied 20 amp circuit, and a 10awg cord.

Not that I know what I am doing, because if I wanted to help myself, I would pull my rig to northern az where I could have reasonable temperatures .

As Kevin points out NEC Code regulates thermal magnetic circuit breakers are restricted to 80% loading. These are the type of breakers used in your RV and home. The circuit breakers if UL Listed are tested at 100% of their handle rating in a 40C degree ambient(104F). It is at these temps that all the trip characteristics are established. So my point is this, at temps higher that 104 F you have to look at the derating curves to see what the expected thermal trip point is. It will trip sooner due to the complimentary heat caused ambient temperature being higher. While we are talking high temps the inverse is true if you get into very cold temps.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

As Kevin points out NEC Code regulates thermal magnetic circuit breakers are restricted to 80% loading. These are the type of breakers used in your RV and home. The circuit breakers if UL Listed are tested at 100% of their handle rating in a 40C degree ambient(140F). It is at these temps that all the trip characteristics are established. So my point is this, at temps higher that 104 F you have to look at the derating curves to see what the expected thermal trip point is. It will trip sooner due to the complimentary heat caused ambient temperature being higher. While we are talking high temps the inverse is true if you get into very cold temps.

Edit your post, you inverted some numbers.