Cruis Air trips accessory breaker

[Dennis Foutz]

When I turn on my heater it keeps tripping off line. Why???? I opened up the panel and felt the fuze was very hot. I can reset it, but only stays online for 5-10 minutes. What do I do to fix???? What's wrong with it???

 

[Don Flowers]

Over amping

It sounds as if you are using more amps than the breaker will hold. I need more info. to make any other suggestion. What size heater do you have and what size breaker is it conected to, and is it an old breaker? Had it worked properly prior, and this is something that has just started occuring. Any other info would be helpful for creating an answer for your problem. Don

 

[Dennis Foutz]

Boat Information for my 30 Catalina

Researching type of CruiseAir. The owner which I bought the boat from said he had never had any problems with it. I believe him, but he was also not an all year sailor and believe he did not use it in the winter and he just upgraded to the CruisAir just this past full calendar year. It uses a 20 amp fuze on accessory. I did many tests on it over the last couple of days and here's what I have find out. If the system is on...it's ok. If it is just running the fan... it's ok. As soon as it starts the compressor to cool or heat... it immediately gets hot and within minutes (pop), nipple comes out from what I believe is overheating (had my finger on the fuze the whole time). All other fuzes appear to work just fine before and after casualty. I even turned everything off in the boat except for the heater and still that didn't work, which I thought would definitely solve the problem. I am running a 30 amp shore cable and believe I will only be able to resolve problem by upgrading to a 50 amp system. I can hear boat electrician cash registers aroud the world $$$. Then increase the fuze capability to something higher than 20 amps and add that refrigerator my wife keeps nagging me about, which is just not possible on 30 amps. What do you think? Am I going the wrong way.

 

[Don Flowers]

Over amping

It now sounds to me that there is a problem. A 20 amp breaker should be of adequate size to operate the system. There are several things that could be our problem. We could have a loose or partially cut (burned) wire feeding the A/C unit, or have inadequate cooling water. Often I find a burned wire atop the compressor where the compressor wires are attached; a compressor wire may have overheated and burned through which will not trip a breaker until the compressor is activated. Pop the wiring cover on the compressor, and the starting component section and see if you can see any damaged wires. Make sure and turn off the power before attempting this. When you start the compressor does the compressor actually start or does it try to start and hum. If it just hums and does not start than we may have a compressor, or starting component problem. If the compressor actually starts and then heats-up and causes the compressor to trip the breaker we could have a lack of cooling water. Check to see if you have adequate water exiting your vessel If the cooling water is the problem check the strainer for bebris (if okay) check for kinked water lines. There are really several things that could be causing the problem. Wish I was there to look at it myself. If you are going to be there this weekend I can give you my phone number in Texas and I can try and talk you through the problem. I fear that I may have only caused more confussion. Hopeful in Rockport, Tx. Don Flowers

 

[Dennis Foutz]

Going out this weekend

Unfortunately, I do not have a cell phone. I know... I'm behind the times. But, I will try all these things and let you know what I find out. Thanks! Dennis

 

[Don Flowers]

return on Sunday

Dennis, I will return on Sunday, actually saturday evening late and look for your response. Don't worry, we can get through this as economically as possible. Don Rockport, Tx.