electrical mystery

[Dale Soule]

Power Failure!!
We were at an RV park, last week and plugged in to 50 amp shore power.
When I went to use the hot water, on the second morning, it was not working.  I looked at the panel in the bathroom and the
refrig circuit was tripped.  I reset it and everything went on fine.
When we came home, I plugged the coach in to 110 with the same cords, etc.  that I always use and the power tripped.  I tried
plugging in three more times and tripped immediately.
I then changed power cord adapters and plugged back in and it tripped again.
I tried changing outlets and  everything worked.
Left the next day for a different RV spot.  Plugged in to 110 20 amp with the same 10 gauge cord and tripped the GFI.  Changed out
pigtails, still tripped.  Started the generator, waited for everything to come up and then plugged the power cord back in, turned the generator off, and everything worked.  The electric power ran most of the day but then the GFI tripped again after having been good for approx. eight hours.
I looked at the Zantc moniter (Magnum inverter, remote panel monter) and it indicated AC overload.
I turned off the two AC units, on the panel (units turned off), the block heater, and the inverter.  Now I can get power without tripping.
The refrigerator worked fine on gas and AC the whole time.
I'm flummoxed.  Any ideas???

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Are you sure you reset reefer breaker? That would have no effect on Aqua/Hydro Hot. The breakers are side by side so suspect you reset Aqua hot breaker. You stated you plugged into 20 amp circuit & GFI tripped. 20 amps won’t run much, especially if inverter/charger is on so not surprising you saw an overload condition. From what you state, sounds like your issues are due to insufficient amperage at source. Use 50 amp to verify functionality you stated at end of your post. Even 30 amp won’t run all those appliances at same time.
Steve

[Joel Ashley]

What’s your (Magnum?) remote’s amp monitor set for?  It may be set too low, relative to what you’re actually plugged into, trying to protect the coach against over current. 

But regardless, as Steve said, watch your total amp use.  Remember what many overlook, that the inverter’s charger uses some, Bulk, Absorb, or even Float.  I watch my total amp use with my Aladdin.  Turning devices on and off while watching the Aladdin can give a decent idea of what uses how much juice.

Joel

[Dale Soule]

I have checked all electrical appliances, The inverter is off, batteries are good,  We have two lights  in the bedroom that are 110, the over head light in kitchen is 110.  Where we store the coach only has 110 ,  20 amp. it's working With both AC switches off,  Inverter Switched off,  heater and refer switched off on the panel.  Ic box is cold on elec.

[Bill Lampkin]

Dale, if you are plugged into shore power (15amps) and have your Norcold refrig on, the fridge takes a considerable amount of AC amps to run the two flue heater elements that make your fridge cold. The fridge also uses DC to power the electronics. If as you say your inverter is off, then the inverter won't be able to keep your batteries charged and they will soon go dead.

[Mike Shumack]

If OP has the Xantrex Inverter/Charger, the manual says the battery charger stays on even when the Inverter function is switched off (the switch on the control panel inside) as long as 120V power is supplied.
 
From the RC7_RC-GS manual:
ON/OFF Control    The inverter portion of the inverter/ charger can be switched OFF or ON using the
remote control. The standby charger in the inverter is automatic and always ready and available for
charging whenever AC power is applied.

[Bill Lampkin]

I think the OP indicated his coach has a Magnum inverter.

[Dale Soule]

Thanks Mike,  Thank you, I do not believe that we have used the inverter 15  20 times just for 4  6 hr' period when dry camping, dinner etc.The batteries are always charged.  Where we park the coach the last 2 years. I have never experienced a problem.  It's a 20 amp, out let.  If I flip the inverter switch, Washer/dryer,  heater or refer,  individually, it will trip the GFI on the wall of shop.  There is no washer/dryer.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Dale,
It's possible you have a bad GFI on the shop wall, based on your comment re washer drier CB.
Steve

[Dale Soule]

Answer to the electrical problem.  Three cells were bad on the coach side, and a broken wire on the positive  side not quite broken was replaced. 6 1/2 years old.  If it was plugged in and once the batteries took a charge, things were fine, unplug from shore power, 30 mins later not good.  As long as the circuit beaker  (refer) There was a parcely fraid wire under the cover of the circuit board that would go to ground from time to time.  Working now.  Another question is when do you replace air bags? They are showing some small cracks.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Glad you found the problem.
Don't worry about small cracks in the air bags. They are normal.
Steve

[Dale Soule]

Thank you Steve.