Why does it keep tripping circuit breaker when it starts, not when it turns on?

Dehumidifier tripping AFCI - DoItYourself.com Community Forums

www.doityourself.com > ... > Electrical - AC & DC
Oct 1, 2011 - My dehumidifier is on a 15 Amp circuit with an AFCI breaker. ... What I mean by that is that it can run without tripping for days or only a few hours ...

It probably has something shorted to ground or the compressor or motors are stuck causing a high amperage problem. The breaker is probably fine but it also could be weak but normally its the compressor or a component has faulted to the compressor. If the unit immediately trips breaker its probably shorted to ground. If the unit struggles to start and a few seconds pass before it trips then it may be a component fault.

120-
VOLT
AC
SYSTEM
The following electrical components (if so equipped) will only operate when your
RV is connected to shore power: 120 to
12-volt power converter, air conditioner,
120-volt refrigerator, microwave oven, television(s), fireplace and appliances
plugged into convenience receptacles.

SECTION 6 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JAYCO TOWABLE
6-2
120-
VOLT
CIRCUIT
BREAKERS
The 120-volt AC circuit breakers located in
side the main load center protect all
120-volt wiring and components in the RV fr
om circuit overloads and short circuits.
Should a circuit overload or short circui
t occur the circuit breaker protecting the
affected circuit will "trip" preventing the flow of electricity through that circuit.
If a circuit breaker trips, shut "off"
the appliance on that circuit (i.e., power
converter etc.) and allow the circuit breaker to cool down for a brief period of time.
After the cooling down period, reset the circuit breaker by moving its lever "off" and
then back to the "on" position. If the circuit breaker re-trips or frequently trips,
contact your dealer to have the electrical problem diagnosed and repaired.
A circuit breaker identification label is permanently attached to the inside surface
of the 120-volt load center.
Maintenance and Replacement
At the beginning of camping season, inspect the circuit breakers and replace as
needed. Test by turning each circuit breaker "off" and back "on". Circuit breakers
are wearable parts and must be replaced
as needed, as part of your RV
maintenance. If you have any questions, consult your dealer.
Please contact your dealer for repair assistance when replacing circuit breakers.
CONVERTER
The power converter converts 120-volt AC power to useable 12-volt DC power
when the shore power cord is connected to an external power source.
The converter has a built-in protective thermal breaker that will shut it down should
overheating occur. Overheating can be
caused by operating the converter above
its maximum power output for an extended period of time, or by an obstruction to
its ventilation air flow. To reduce converter heat build keep unnecessary 12-volt
lights and motors turned "off"
.
Keep the converter cooling fins and fan clear of
obstructions.
Inspection and maintenance
If the 12-volt power converter is not working (auxiliary battery not being charged)
check the reverse polarity fuse(s) in the converter fuse panel.
There are no
customer serviceable parts inside the converter case and the
manufacturer's warranty will be void if
the case has been removed
. If you
have further concerns contact your dealer.

Check the Power cable to be firmly inserted in the slot, or the LV PS PCB is faulty (Power Supply)

Your bike is not equipped with the old style "flasher" like they used to be back in the '80's. You bike has what Harley calls a Turn Signal Microprocessor. It's a "black box" about a half inch thick by an inch and half wide by three inches long. It has a large plug with about a dozen wires on one end and a mounting bolt in the center of it. Exactly where it is, I have no idea as Harley moved these things around as much as they did the oil drain on the Sportsters. Underneath the battery is a bad place for anything, especially electrical components. The faint clicking sound you're hearing may be a circuit breaker. By the signals flashing very rapidly, this would indicate a high current flow that may be caused by a short circuit.

Good Luck
Steve

Internal components of manual electrical timers do wear out (in my case, within 2 years), which will trip an AFCI/GFCI breaker at the same time every day, even before the circuit switches on. This regularity of the problem (at 5:50 PM every day) was the clue that the timer was at fault.

you really need a service guy sorry

get an inexpensive clamp amp meter (Harbor Freight has them). Turn off power to the plug. Remove plug from wall but do not disconnet wires. turn fridge OFF. plug the unit in the recept. turn on the power. set the meter for the higest reading (amps) & clamp it around the black wire. turn the fridge ON & observe start up current & the "run" current. If the fridge is within limits on the data plate the problem is in the wiring circuit, maybe a loose connection either @ the plug or the breaker. if there are several plugs in the circuit, the problem could be in one of them. In addition, if there is a gfi plug in this circuit, it could be faulty also.

Hello jaybebo84,
May be coincidental that you had a short circuit ocurr in the back panel after your wife dusted but the problem is that you now have a short circuit which will trip the breaker. If you can unplug it and slide it out to gain access to the back panel, remove the cover and look for carbon or flash burn on some of the components in that area. Usually when you get an arc like that the evidence of the component is pretty easy to identify. You may see some carbon or equivalent on a component which once located, could simply be removed and replaced. Sears usually has exploded views drawings of all their appliances and you may be able to get a copy from the store service area. Good Luck..
Regards,
Rick