Microwave Issue

yooper011 · 09-07-2019, 11:21 PM

Just purchased a 2017 Micro Minnie 2106 FBS with a High Pointe EM925ACW microwave. Last trip, while connected to 30 amp campground power, when we tried to use the microwave, it would blow the circuit, including all the 110v outlets. In a few minutes, the circuit would reset on its own and all would be normal until we tried the microwave again. Anybody have any ideas what could be the problem? All fuses/breakers were OK. I did have to run 55 feet of cord to reach the campground power supply (30' of cord that came with the camper and 25' of 12/2 w/ground 30 amp extension cord). Could that length cause enough of a voltage drop to mess with the microwave? And why/how does the circuit reset itself?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

**creativepart** · 09-08-2019, 07:41 AM

Was the A/C running at the same time?

It could be the long cord run, or the pedestal, or the campground’s power or even the areas’s.

It’s possible to blow a 30-amp breaker, obviously, if you’re using more than 30-amps. But using the microwave shouldn’t trip the breaker as a general rule.

yooper011 · 09-08-2019, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

Was the A/C running at the same time?

It could be the long cord run, or the pedestal, or the campground’s power or even the areas’s.

It’s possible to blow a 30-amp breaker, obviously, if you’re using more than 30-amps. But using the microwave shouldn’t trip the breaker as a general rule.

Nope, the A/C wasn't on at the time. The only thing running was the microwave. The site power supply breaker didn't trip, neither did any of my converter fuses/breakers. It's really strange, made even stranger when the circuit resets after a few minutes without any intervention on my part. I'll probably jerk the microwave out and plug it into my home to see if it works properly. if it does, I'm marking it down to the long cord run.

CharlesinGA · 09-10-2019, 01:18 PM

It doesn't just quit and start up on its own for no reason. I'm betting you have a loose connection somewhere. Remove all power from the trailer, and disconnect the batteries, and then remove the cover off the electrical panel, and tighten up every screw on the 120v circuit breakers, and for good measure, the screws on the 12 connections if there are any. Also tighten up the neutral and ground bar connections in the box.

The receptacles have really poor pinch connectors on the back of them, and one of those also could have a bad connection and heating up.

Charles

yooper011 · 09-11-2019, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

It doesn't just quit and start up on its own for no reason. I'm betting you have a loose connection somewhere. Remove all power from the trailer, and disconnect the batteries, and then remove the cover off the electrical panel, and tighten up every screw on the 120v circuit breakers, and for good measure, the screws on the 12 connections if there are any. Also tighten up the neutral and ground bar connections in the box.

The receptacles have really poor pinch connectors on the back of them, and one of those also could have a bad connection and heating up.

Charles

Good points. I'm going to pull the microwave to test it outside of the TT and check the connections as you suggest. I'll post back with my findings. Thanks for the input!

yooper011 · 09-13-2019, 03:48 PM

Just an update: the power problem was due to a faulty 30-15 amp adapter used to connect to the campground pedestal. When the microwave was used, the adapter would arc and break connection, shutting off the microwave. When it cooled, connection would be restored. Until the next time I tried to use the microwave, that is.

Probably would've also happened if I had had to use the AC.
Guess my next purchase will be a better quality adapter, eh?

Thanks for all the input!

Digger72x · 09-15-2019, 08:21 PM

Why are you using a 30 to 15 amp adapter? If you are taking your RV from a 30 amp circuit to a 15 amp house circuit thru 55 feet of cable terminating in a 15 amp plug that is too much cable which will cause heating and possible fire.

Journey39n · 09-16-2019, 04:18 AM

The [ 30 - 15 ] adapter sounds strange. (you seemed to indicate the shore power was 30amp, so why the adapter? or perhaps it is something different?) Do you mean the coach has a 30amp plug and cord, but you are plugging into a 15amp power source? Sometimes this is necessary, but you really have to restrict your power use.

When we have to hook to a 20amp power source (my son's house for example) we use a [50 to 30 adapter], to a [30 to 20 adapter], to a 100' construction grade extension cord. It works to keep the refer and most small electric items running.

But the microwave is too much of a draw, and will not work well, as are the a/c compressors which won't work at all. Our EMS displays the 20amp available, and shifts power around as needed. With some planning, we have successfully used 20amp service many times over the last 9 years.

We did use a 15amp source once at a remote Indian Casino lot, with our 50amp cable to adapters to a 10' heavy extension cord, again with planning and careful use, our three day stay was comfortable enough. If we really needed big power, we ran the generator.

mike4re308 · 09-16-2019, 05:52 AM

So you were trying to run your RV off of a 15amp power supply?

yooper011 · 09-16-2019, 07:07 AM

Sorry for the confusion. The site's power supply was a 15 amp outlet. We simply stopped using the microwave for the few days we were there. Once I got home I used my 20 amp garage circuit, that's when I found the faulty adapter. It came with the TT and was the cheap kind. I'm just glad it didn't do any harm and I just may have learned a little!