microwave tripping breaker...what to look for?

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by pistarckle

Run a semi-heavy ext cord from a 110 volt outlet on your servive on the dock . If you blow the dock , its the micro-wave /

I don't have a 110 outlet on the dock but I'll try plugging in the microwave at the dock masters office.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Jcolman

I plug it into one of the starboard outlets, the same ones that I use for the heater and refrigerator (but not all at once)

So the stbd outlet breaker doesn't trip, just the main breaker? I would think the main was higher rated than the branch breaker.

Of course it could be that the stbd outlet breaker is bad. What happens if you plug the MW into a port outlet?

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

So the stbd outlet breaker doesn't trip, just the main breaker? I would think the main was higher rated than the branch breaker.

Of course it could be that the stbd outlet breaker is bad. What happens if you plug the MW into a port outlet?

Yes, the outlet breakers don't trip, just the main. If the stbd breaker is bad wouldn't you think it would trip when the fridge and heater are plugged in?

I'll try plugging the microwave into the port side outlets when I go up to the boat on Sunday.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Jcolman

Yes, the outlet breakers don't trip, just the main. If the stbd breaker is bad wouldn't you think it would trip when the fridge and heater are plugged in?

Depends on the ampere, a microwave is a pretty big load.

But you have a breaker problem regardless if the Stbd outlet breaker is smaller and not tripping when the main does.

I don't remember seeing, but did the MW work OK earlier?

[Raider Curt]

Find the wattage rating of the microwave. Check your voltage (110, 115). Divide your wattage rating by the voltage. This will show you the amp draw. Obviously, poor connections at breakers, receptacles, etc. will raise the amp draw as well as extension cords. This should show you if you are too close to the limit.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Raider Curt

Obviously, poor connections at breakers, receptacles, etc. will raise the amp draw as well as extension cords.

no it wouldn't, just drop the voltage because it will restrict the circuit

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Depends on the ampere, a microwave is a pretty big load.

But you have a breaker problem regardless if the Stbd outlet breaker is smaller and not tripping when the main does.

I don't remember seeing, but did the MW work OK earlier?

I don't know if the microwave worked earlier or not. It came with the boat when I bought it a couple months ago.

[bill good]

Shorted diode.

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by bill good

Shorted diode.

on the breaker or microwave?

[Roy M]

So, if there is no dockpower, how long, and what wire size is the extension cord you are using to get to an electrical outlet? I assumed you were using a standard 50 foot, 10-3 shorepower cable attached to a marine grade outlet.

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by Roy M

So, if there is no dockpower, how long, and what wire size is the extension cord you are using to get to an electrical outlet? I assumed you were using a standard 50 foot, 10-3 shorepower cable attached to a marine grade outlet.

I have a standard 50' 10-3 cable dockside. There is a 30amp power source at the dock, just no standard 110 source.

[Roy M]

I'm sorry, not enough coffee this morning, I guess. What do you mean "there is a 30 amp power source at the dock, just no standard 110 source"?

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by Roy M

I'm sorry, not enough coffee this morning, I guess. What do you mean "there is a 30 amp power source at the dock, just no standard 110 source"?

I have a power outlet for my 30amp connector but not a 110 outlet. In other words, when I use power tools on my boat, I plug them into the boats outlets since there is no outlet on the dock.

A picture might help.

My boat at the dock.



My only power source

[Sand crab]

He's got a twist lock on the shorepower but no standard household outlet. You might find it handy to just buy an adapter to get 110 right out of the box without using your boat as the extension cord.

Have you turned off everything else and tried the microwave?

Oops. Posted at the same time. You need this and they make them as extension cords, too.
Amazon.com: Conntek Locking Adapter with 30 Amp 125 Volt Male Plug To 15/20 Amp Straight Blade Female Connector: Sports & Outdoors

[Jcolman]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Have you turned off everything else and tried the microwave?

Yes. Still trips the breaker.