RV Rooftop Air Conditioner is Tripping Circuit Breaker
1) The unit was initially connected to the 15 amp circuit. I replaced the breaker with a new one to no avail.
2) I then looked at the manual, and realized that the unit (with max draw of 13-15 amps) should have been properly connected to the 20 amp breaker. That also did not do the trick. The 20 amp also blows
3) I then had the unit checked for coolent and dirt etc, and serviced. Problem still occurs, although no amp draws above 15 were seen by the technician.
4) Now even with the fan off and the compressor off, the unit intermittentdly attempts to kick on and off (compressor & fan)
5) Even more puzzling, with the breaker turned completely off, the problem still occurs. My only thinking is that the thermostat is connected to another line
It sounds like the unit was miswired at the factory, since when the A/C is "off" at the thermostat, there should be no calls for cooling or for the fan to run.
You also stated the most puzzling issue, with the breaker turned "off" the same thing happens. This shouldn't happen at all, when the power breaker is turned off, there should be no power being supplied to the unit and it shouldn't be able to do anything. Very strange indeed, but likely a major error done when the RV was manufactured, or some wiring in the loom has somehow become shorted and is supplying power from another breaker/source.
I think a call to the manufacturer is in order since there is no easy solution aside from possibly rewiring the A/C circuit.
Not sure when your RV was made, but definately time to call the manufacturer and break out the wiring schematic in an attempt to isolate and resolve the problem.
Hope you find this helpful and best regards!
I would still call the RV manufacturer, as their service people want to keep prospective customers happy (for when you're thinking of buying a new/used one again). Having the schematic is cruical in trying to figure out wiring issues in an RV, believe me, my father inlaw and I have spent hours looking for all the "extra" fuse boxes that got tucked into the strangest places in his many RV's he's owned over the years!
I would troubleshoot the circuit by turning off all breakers in the RV panel. Now have a volt meter at the A/C unit to check for voltage on the supply connection tabs. You'll have to get on the roof and remove the cover to gain access to it. You'll also need help inside the RV while someone watches the meter for voltage. Don't forget to set the thermostat to a temp lower than the inside temp in order to make the A/C run.
Now, have the inside person turn on the breakers in the panel one at a time and when you get a reading on the meter, have them stop. Don't turn on the breaker that is supposed to power the A/C so you can verify that the previous owner (or some service person, etc.) didn't jerry-rig the A/C circuit to "fix" some problem they were having at some point in the past. Once you discover where the A/C is getting power from, if it is, you can make a decision to attempt a correct repair.
It might be that a new circuit (power line) might have to be run from the electrical panel to the A/C
Good luck to you, as this is definately one for the books! Let me know what you discover as you go.
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It sounds like a short to ground. But with the breaker off, there should be no activity whatsoever. Quite possibly, it's connected to two breakers or, it was a problem and someone came up with a quick fix. Get it properly repaired before it sets your RV on fire.
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Thanks for the feedback!
Unfortunately, the unit is a 2000 year that we recently purchased and the previous owner did not have a problem with it?? Is it definitely wiring?
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