Electric skillet throwing breaker !@#$%^&*()_+

[wi...@epix.net]

In Article<7lrfi1$vts$1...@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com>,
<al...@prodigy.net> writes

> While camping this weekend and using the A/C non-stop for the first
time the
> main breaker inside the camper was tripping. I initially thought it
was the
> A/C, however I thought I would unplug the electric skillet (which
was
> plugged into an extension cord in one of the electrical plugs
located on the
> camper) just to make sure because the only two things different this
trip
> were the skillet and the non-stop A/C. The breaker never did trip
again and
> I ran the skillet off a seperate plug at the power source at the
campground.
>
> Should I assume the skillet cord to be bad or just a quirk? I also
use the
> same extension cord with my tacky tiki lights hanging from the
awning with
> no problem.

Since you have to ask, have a competent electrician test the skillet'

Will KD3XR

[A Love]

While camping this weekend and using the A/C non-stop for the first time the
main breaker inside the camper was tripping. I initially thought it was the
A/C, however I thought I would unplug the electric skillet (which was
plugged into an extension cord in one of the electrical plugs located on the
camper) just to make sure because the only two things different this trip
were the skillet and the non-stop A/C. The breaker never did trip again and
I ran the skillet off a seperate plug at the power source at the campground.

Should I assume the skillet cord to be bad or just a quirk? I also use the
same extension cord with my tacky tiki lights hanging from the awning with
no problem.

**I love camping**
**1999 Sunline 2570**

[Chris Bryant]

Depending on the wattage of the electric skillet, I would say
you were just trying to pull too much power- and the breaker was just
doing its' job- i.e. keeping the cord/wiring from frying.

Electric heating appliances draw a lot of juice- I know in our
TT, we cannot run the A/C and *any* major appliance (coffee maker,
vacuum, or such).

Chris Bryant
Bryant RV Services

[Spudman]

Your skillet takes a lot of current (probably about 10 amps of
current). Add to this your A/C which uses a lot of current to, your
most likely exceeding the limit of your main breaker. By plugging the
skillet into the campground power source it does not go through the
camper circuit and thus not tripping.

Be careful with an extension cord to the skillet. Most extension cord
are not designed to carry that high load. If you must use an
extension cord, make sure it is as short as possible and designed for
the load you intend to use.

Next time when you go camping try being creative. Get out the old
cast iron skillet on the fire. We rarely have an electric site and
the old cast iron skillet works great!

[Dave]

Its not the Skillet alone. You are just drawing too much current for your
main breaker. If it was the Skillet, when you connected it directly to the
Power drop at the site... that breaker would have also blown. Be careful
with the extension cord. If the one you are using gets warm to the touch,
its not big enough to handle the load. (This is the non scientific test
!! ).

Good Luck,

--
Dave "98 Coleman RIO" Bernard

A Love <al...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:7lrfi1$vts$1...@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com...

[COROgal]

This sounds familiar... last trip I plugged my auto coffee pot in (with clock)
programmed for early morning brewing. Didn't figure out till I got home that I
hadn't blown the fuse but just tripped the GFI on the outlet. In future I'll
always unplug any appliance that isn't necessary to everyday life. Yes folks I
can just plug in coffee pot when I wake up. Not as nice as waking up to the
smell of coffee.

Happy Camping!

Janet !!
98 Dodge Dakota
94 Starcraft Starmaster

[Diana & Jim Daugherty]

What size was the breaker? Our camper has two breakers - one 15 amp and one 20
amp. If the a/c and skillet were on the same circuit it would be overloaded.
A/C draws approximately 13 amps and if skillet is 10 amps - you are way over. A
breaker should only be loaded to 80% capacity. Any more and you are asking for
trouble.

Diana Daugherty
Harrisburg, PA

[MSTRCLNR]

A more reliable way to do this is to run a separate cord to the shore power for
high load items(Skiletts, added A/C, Microwave. etc.), by passing your rigs
electric system. The only problem you might run into this way is weak breakers
in the shore power supply.

TQ
Tom Quid
#mstrclnr#@aol.com / #webmaster#@cleanbiz.net (take the '#'s out to send me
mail)
http://www.cleanbiz.net

[paul]

A Love wrote:
>
> While camping this weekend and using the A/C non-stop for the first time the
> main breaker inside the camper was tripping. I initially thought it was the
> A/C, however I thought I would unplug the electric skillet (which was
> plugged into an extension cord in one of the electrical plugs located on the
> camper) just to make sure because the only two things different this trip
> were the skillet and the non-stop A/C. The breaker never did trip again and
> I ran the skillet off a seperate plug at the power source at the campground.
>
> Should I assume the skillet cord to be bad or just a quirk? I also use the
> same extension cord with my tacky tiki lights hanging from the awning with
> no problem.
>
> **I love camping**
> **1999 Sunline 2570**

Does your water heater run on electric? If so, was someone using hot
water
at the same time. We have the same problem if my wife is running the
hair
dryer or 4 slice electric toaster at the same time as water heater and
a/c.
1400 or 1500 watts pulls alot of amps. Is your hookup 15 or 30 amps?
Paul