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eubank · 01-29-2004, 04:26 PM

Hi,
On our last vacation in our 1967 30 foot, the 12v. circuit breaker started popping when the furnance and a couple of lights were running at the same time on that circuit. For the time being, we solved the problem by not running the lights on that circuit (because it was cold!).

I suspected that it was the furnace motor. Took out the furnace and looked at it: The two lead wires were hard and darkened, and the motor didn't turn freely as I would have liked. Ordered a new motor and installed it last week. Got all the ductwork ready today and gave it a spin. The furnace worked fine.

And then the Big Test: With furnace running, I turned on a couple of interior lights. Pop. Circuit breaker went. Breaker cooled in 45 sec or so, and everything came back on. Lasted about a minute or two and the breaker popped again. Repeat cycle.

Drat! So the furnace motor was an emerging problem, but it obviously wasn't the problem that was causing the circuit breaker to pop! Anybody got any good ideas on where to start looking now?

Lynn

Inland RV Center, In · 01-29-2004, 04:56 PM

12 volt circuit breakers are famous for a current capacity reduction, all by themselves.

Replacing that 12 volt breaker should solve your problem.

You can also place an ammeter in that circuit, and see what the current load is when the breaker pops.

If it's a 20 ampere breaker, you may find that it's breaking the circuit at far less than the 20 amps.

Andy

eubank · 01-30-2004, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In
12 volt circuit breakers are famous for a current capacity reduction, all by themselves.

Replacing that 12 volt breaker should solve your problem.

You can also place an ammeter in that circuit, and see what the current load is when the breaker pops.

If it's a 20 ampere breaker, you may find that it's breaking the circuit at far less than the 20 amps.

Andy

You were right: It's the circuit breaker, which pops repeatedly at around 16-17 amps.

Ok, so anybody know where I can get a new "20 amp C.B. (auto resetting)," as the book calls it? Obviously, I'd strongly prefer an OEM or exact-matching part!

Lynn