HELP WITH KOUNTRY LITE FIFTH WHEEL ELECTRICS (1 Viewer)

Jimbob-3

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Jan 18, 2016
5
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benidorm
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41,366
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5 th wheel
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since 2010
Hi i have a 5th wheel by kountry lite on site in benidorm have problems with its electric as we keep tripping camp site if we have any of the on board appliance that run from the transformer like fridge,electric fire , microwave, we brought a new transformer from england installed it and its the same .
Do any of you no of a engineer that is good with these american 5 th wheel trailers in the benidorm area we are on camping La Torreta .

thanks Jim
 

Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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First question is it the RCD that is tripping or the MCB, if it is the RCD you probably have a faulty appliance with a leakage to earth, however with an isolating transform I wouldn't expect it to trip the site RCD, I am assuming that it is an isolating transformer.
If it is the MCB's tripping you are drawing too much current and need to monitor what you are using at the same time, if you have an electric fire on and use the microwave I would be suprised if it didn't trip, microwaves can draw up to twice their rated power on start up.
 
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Jimbob-3

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Jan 18, 2016
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since 2010
thanks Lenny

we trip if we have nothing plugged in at the moment we have isolated the transformer and are only using portable appliances that plug into 3 pin sockets which works fine but i would like to be able to use the built in appliance like the fridge .

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Jimbob-3

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Jan 18, 2016
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5 th wheel
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since 2010
it did sometimes and other times it would last a hour we have had this problem for over a year now
 
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Jimbob-3

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Jan 18, 2016
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it all started when we travelled down to Spain last jan we had big trouble tripping we changed the plug in lead which seem to work for a while then moved again to another site and it all started again then we had another motorhome owner look and we can not find a answer so i was told post your problem hear to see if any one has a answer.

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scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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This is a common issue with American RVs that have 240v - 110v step down transformers.. ..

it's the initial surge of current that trips the site MCB .. it can take several attempts to get it to reset ..

I had the same problem.. if you search on RVOC you will find many posts about it

You can buy anti surge devices, or fit a soft start transformer.. I never bothered just persevered..

Switch all the MCBs off at your 240 volt dis. board.. , then try to reset the site MCB...

Once reset turn them back on one at a time.. if it trips then you have found a faulty circuit or appliance..

If you cannot get it to reset then it would point to a fault either with the hook up lead or transformer wiring..

EDIT

should have said.. if the site supply is only 6 Amps it will be more troublesome than one with a 16A supply.. it also depends on the type of MCB , hence having problems on some sites and not others.

just for information.. this explains about types of MCBs.. Dodgy Link Removed
 
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Lenny HB

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This is a common issue with RVs that have 240v - 110v step down transformers.. ..

it's the initial surge of current that trips the site MCB .. it can take several attempts to get it to reset ..

That's what I was thinking obviously a big transformer of several KW.

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Snowbird

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@scotjimland, A good write up Jim. Lets hope this will sort a long term problem. The power of fun as we all know it. If the OP can sort this problem from the help here, then it would be £15 well spent.
 
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PeteH

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Nov 22, 2007
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To clarify, I suspect the issue is a Transformer, (likely the one running your still fitted 110volt devices) when you try and start the Transformer will "Surge" because of something called hysteresis. If you have a Full load on the surge can be sufficient to trip your Supply. You can get a device called a "Soft Start" which will likely solve the issue. I found that One way was to switch everything off (6 breakers) switch the supply on and then S-l-o-w-ly switch on the breakers, starting with the Biggest and working to the Lowest rated. Worked 9 times out of 10 for me. The foregoing is my simplistic answer, but it can be complicated by Breaker quality, Voltage, supply amps, and several other factors. Spanish sites especially ones with older electrical systems where particularly prone to it!!. But having said that I blew the site breaker at at least two Caravan Club Sites!, before I finally "twigged" what was happening!.

Pete
 
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Snowbird

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The OPs pitch has a completely new supply rated at 16amps. Should this trip when the converter is switched on ?. Elektrickery is not one of my strong points so I can be of little help to the OP other than keeping the thread active.
 

scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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The OPs pitch has a completely new supply rated at 16amps. Should this trip when the converter is switched on ?. Elektrickery is not one of my strong points so I can be of little help to the OP other than keeping the thread active.

yes.. quite possible Dave, as mentioned before it also depends on the type of MCB .. I sometimes had trouble on 16A UK site supplies

has he tried as suggested in my first post ? ...

Switch all the MCBs off at the RV 240 volt dis. board.. , then reset the site MCB...
Once reset, turn them back on one at a time.. if the site MCB trips when turning on one of the RV MCBs you have found a faulty circuit or appliance..

If he still cannot reset the site MCB it would point to a faulty EHU cable or fault in the RV which will need testing by a competent electrician.. (not auto electrician) .. ... that's about as much advice as can be given from a distance )

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Jimbob-3

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Jan 18, 2016
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since 2010
Thank you all for your time and help and a big THANK YOU to Brian who came round and sorted out our problem and yes Brian it is still all OK many thanks Jim
 
Feb 27, 2011
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Thank you all for your time and help and a big THANK YOU to Brian who came round and sorted out our problem and yes Brian it is still all OK many thanks Jim

It is sorted? If so can you tell us what it was please?
 

Popeye

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I reckon he hadn't put a shilling in!......... :confused:

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