AC problem?

[rlwhit]

We have not used the AC much as we like to stay away from hot places. Last week on our trip the first stop it was 103. Tooooo hot. Started AC and after just a couple of minutes the fan surged and the 20 amp breaker blew. Later after sunset it worked just fine. Next day it started to surge so turned it off. Waited about 30 min. and it ran fine all day. What causes this?

Thanks

Dick

[Ozz]

Well Dick,
It can be many things, I think the A/C is OK, because it worked after the heat of the day was over,
I am puzzled by the words 'Fan surge', this can be many things to different people. Could you explain that?
If the breaker blew, the amps on the A/C would be exceeding the design figures, OR the breaker may be bad, they are very cheap, but usually hold up pretty good.
The exceedingly high operating temperatures would test any system. Try turning the fan (only) for 3 or 4 minutes on high, then the A/C.
I suspect one reason may be a loose wire on the A/C circuit at the breaker, hot wire, or neutral.
Wish I was there to check it out for you.
Good luck.
Ozz

[rlwhit]

Thanks Ozz, I was looking forward to hearing from you. Will check the breaker and wiring. The surge was fan speed from high to low and back.

[Ozz]

The fan surge could be voltage drop on that circuit, or a tight fan motor.
The breaker popping sounds like a bad fan motor to me. If it was the capacitor, it would run fine when up to speed in my experience. It should not change speeds unless switched, so it seems to be dragging, over-amping and popping the breaker. Good luck.

[noneck]

Or just maybe your power source is not holding sufficient voltage and generating excessive current when the fan and compressor cycle?
Maybe the location you were at EVERYONE running A/C's left the voltage to your site too low...and or the power pedestal had an issue...when it finally stayed good had the population of campers reduced?