Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
Think my first try would be to find/purchase and install a new fault breaker.
Breakers do go bad and also GFCI outlets, hopefully it's as simple as that.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
Yeah, I thot so too, but I swapped circuit breakers and the problem stayed with the location. It didn't move. Can't be the breaker.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
All the breakers are old they may be weak. Install a brand new one hopefully that will resolve your issues.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
I've been using the new elci breakers on upgrades. 50 amps in a package that has reversed polarity indicators , power lights and all the necessary safety features. I'd put that at the inlet (no more fuses to deal with) and then all you need at the main panel is the legs and neutrals.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boatsb
I've been using the new elci breakers on upgrades. 50 amps in a package that has reversed polarity indicators , power lights and all the necessary safety features. I'd put that at the inlet (no more fuses to deal with) and then all you need at the main panel is the legs and neutrals.
Do you have a specific part number you use? I would love to ditch my fuses.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
I'll PM a number. Call me tomorrow. It's not just a part number. The box (weatherized) and glands need to be added too.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
He said swapping in another one made no difference anf the problem staid with the location... ie the thing may actually be doing its job.
Time to get a multi meter on there to see if you may actually have a ground fault. Happy hunting, these things can be a pain.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
I had this exact issue some months ago. After talking with many, I finally spoke with Hatteras (got number and name from SAMS). the Electrician who wired my boat in 1975 explained how compressors cause an extremely brief GF. As the GFCI breakers get old, they will trip more quickly. Has went on to say if I had GFCI outlets at all the "wet Location" like ABYC requires, then that old (now obsolete) white fault breaker needs to be disconnected. I cut the white wire and have had no more issues. You have done the correct repair.
Re: Circuit Breaker Surprise
Randy, that's amazing you were able to talk to the electrician who wired your boat. I'd love to get that number from you.
UPDATE: I spent this entire weekend working it and i finally got it down to, "any time the 240vac service #1 is hot, the 120vac service B and C fault breaker pops". Then, in an attempt to discern if the problem was upstream or down stream of the fault breaker, I disconnected all 4 wires from the bottom side of the fault breaker block. The problem went away. I reconnected all the wires, and the problem is gone. I can't explain it; all I know is I can no longer replicate the problem. It doesn't exactly give me a lot of confidence.
Also, the PO removed all air conditioning from the boat, so the only compressors are the air compressors I have for the toilet system (1) and the air horn (1).
I had all breakers and systems switched off during the troubleshooting to eliminate them. The breaker kept popping, indicating to me it's a power source problem. I hate to go with it as is - I can see the accident report now: Captain disabled his short protection and boat burn at sea... :(