Are 12v breakers really self-resetting?

[LiamG]

I plugged a 300w inverter into one of our round 12v outlets thinking “I’ll never use the full 300watts (generating 25amps) that could trip the breaker!”

Well I lost track recently, charged too many things at once, and now the breaker has tripped and the one outlet in the living area is no longer working during our cross-Canada boondocking trip.

Anyone recognize this breaker box and know how to reset them? A few have little buttons on the ends which don’t seem to do anything.

I’ve also switched the 12v kill switch off and on a few times to no avail.

[LiamG]

And here’s the picture of the box. It’s on the front wall beneath the windows, behind what used to be a couch before our renovation.

[BayouBiker]

The self resetting thermal breakers do self reset, but they generally have to have all voltage removed including any back voltage. So get out the multimeter and determine which one is tripped by testing voltage on both sides of each breaker. Then use the kill switch and verify their is no voltage on the power bus or the breaker on either side. Next test for continuity across the affected breaker using the ohmmeter portion. With no voltage, no heat it should have reset. If it didn't mess with the button and test again. Still nothing? rap on it with a plastic or rubber tool. Still nothing? You will have to replace it.

[GCinSC2]

LiamG,

Do you own a multi meter or simple 12V test light probe?

Test light is a very basic testing tool and could easily check for 12VDC power coming in and either going thru a circuit, fuse or 12VDC circuit breaker.

Multimeter does more but costs more.

Gary

[dznf0g]

I dont believe they are self resetting. Reach your finger back on the ends of the breaker shell. You'll find a little black botton. Push to reset.

[GCinSC2]

Just an FYI about self resetting 12VDC breakers.

Cutaways and a SPARK!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vA1cz021OvU

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by LiamG

And here’s the picture of the box. It’s on the front wall beneath the windows, behind what used to be a couch before our renovation.

If original, those are manually "resettable" breakers. Unless they have been change, there should be black reset button on the end of each breaker inside the panel shown in your photo. Read the third paragraph of section G in your owners manual.

There are larger amperage "auto reset" breakers too, but they are not inside that panel. They are mounted on the wall near the battery box beneath the sofa. This is shown also in section G, noted on the schematic electrical drawing.

These breakers do go bad. I've had to replace a few in my 1999. I now carry spares.

[love nest]

Originally Posted by LiamG

I plugged a 300w inverter into one of our round 12v outlets thinking “I’ll never use the full 300watts (generating 25amps) that could trip the breaker!”

Well I lost track recently, charged too many things at once, and now the breaker has tripped and the one outlet in the living area is no longer working during our cross-Canada boondocking trip.

Anyone recognize this breaker box and know how to reset them? A few have little buttons on the ends which don’t seem to do anything.

I’ve also switched the 12v kill switch off and on a few times to no avail.

There are 2 types of circuit breakers. type 1 that auto reset and type 2 that trip and will not reset unless you completely remove power from it. Try disconnecting the battery (main ground will do it) without the shore line connected and the reconnect. That will reset a type 2 breaker. My Nest has this type.

[guskmg]

No body has mentioned it, but self resetting circuit breakers are a fire hazard. Under certain short conditions, other than a direct short, the heat build up due to low grade short caused resistance can be dramatic. I had scorching and smoke coming from the TV engine compartment and the TT circuit breaker panel on an SOB. A quick thinking wrecker driver grabbed his cable cutters and cut all positive battery cables (4). Like they say, "Where there is smoke there is fire."
guskmg

[LiamG]

Thanks for the help. I do have a test light from the previous owner (didn’t know what it was for until now) and every breaker lights up...

So I’m thinking the issue must be with the plug itself or perhaps somewhere in between. In the case of the latter, I’m in trouble, so I’ll see about replacing the plug and hope for the best for now.

[Al and Missy]

Your round plug probably has a fuse in it. Most i have used do. Unscrew the tip and I'm betting a spring and a fuse will fall out.

[LiamG]

There is no fuse in the round plug. When pulling it out from the wall, the test light probe would light up.

After a bit of poking around, there was a spark when I went to plug the inverter in again and now there’s no power behind the plug. All the breakers are still lighting up, however.

Looks like I’ll be running an extension cord from the bedroom until I can get a pro to look at it.

[GCinSC2]

LiamG,

Well, might not be the result you wanted but you’ve now shook hands with the test light. That’s a good thing. I carry one too. Remember it’s for 12VDC systems not AC.

Gary

[love nest]

Originally Posted by LiamG

I plugged a 300w inverter into one of our round 12v outlets thinking “I’ll never use the full 300watts (generating 25amps) that could trip the breaker!”

Well I lost track recently, charged too many things at once, and now the breaker has tripped and the one outlet in the living area is no longer working during our cross-Canada boondocking trip.

Anyone recognize this breaker box and know how to reset them? A few have little buttons on the ends which don’t seem to do anything.

I’ve also switched the 12v kill switch off and on a few times to no avail.

I think I misunderstood your outage problem. you are only having a problem with only 1 outlet if I understand correctly. Usually that would have a auto type fuse on your converter panel. Just a thought.