circuit breakers

[Justme44]

Before I go flipping circuit breakers, I want to ask for some insight. In my 2000 3280 I have a set of 3 circuit breakers in the very back of the unit, inside a small cabinet that holds a small lamp between the two rockers. One breaker is 30 amps and two 10 amps. No labels or documentation. I took the cabinet apart as best I could, but I could not get a very good look. I could see that the 50 amp cable runs into the breaker box. My unit is a 30 amp unit (I think) but has a 50 amp outside plug. The converter is mid unit at the door. Can anyone tell me what the breakers are for? I want to add an inverter/charger so I really need to know where all the power runs. Thanks
Dennis

[MARK A]

You need to remove the panel cover to be sure, but I would bet that the two 120v legs are separated in that panel and the breakers are your mains. Are the two 10a breakers tied together?

Mark

[BB_TX]

Are those the only breakers you have in the trailer? That is not many breakers. And a 30 amp main breaker and 50 amp cable would not make any sense.

[Justme44]

Bill I have 4 other breakers in the Converter at the door. The 30 amp breaker and 50amp cable is a bit strange to me also. That is why I suggest the system is 30 amp instead of 50 amp even though I have a 50 amp connection. yep ... strange. Its why I hope someone with an older rig can maybe help out.
Thanks
Dennis

[NCFischers]

Sounds like it might be a modification done by a previous owner.

[BB_TX]

Unless you are the original I would also guess a modification by a previous owner.

Tracing wires is near impossible. Best I can suggest is start with all beakers off, then turn on one at a time and try all 120 vac lights, outlets, and appliances until you identify what goes to which breaker.

[dieselguy]

In 2000, Montanas were 30 amp units. The previous owner has added a 50 amp plug and breakers to the fiver. You'll have to do some tracing on your own as the 50 amp addition was someone's brain child.

[WaltBennett]

I'm sure several more will chime in with this, BUT: 50 amp service is ACTUALLY two 30 amp circuits. Some people can't quite understand this, but it's a fact. In ours, the AC breaker panel is actually split electrically, with every other breaker being on one or the other of these two circuits. (Made my life much easier when installing solar!) When you get a dog bone to adapt your 50 amp plug to 30 amp service, it wires the same 30 amp 'supply' to both of the 50 amp circuits.

[NCFischers]

Walt,
The 50 amp power cord has two 50 amp power sources where the 30 amp power cord has one 30 amp source.

[Drifty1]

Our 2002 is a 50 amp unit the has a 30 amp and a 20 amp breaker installed in the main disconnect box.. The 30 feeds everything but the a/c and the 20 is for the rear a/c.. We only carry a 30 amp cable with us as I hate lugging around the 50 amp.

[awaywego]

I had a 2001 RL 3280 and it was 50 amp. There was a door that opened next to the fuse and breaker panel which was also the converter next to the outside door. Inside the small cabinet door was a breaker panel with a 30 amp and a 20 amp breaker in it. The 20 amp only fed the washer/ dryer and front ac., the 30 fed everything else.

[Justme44]

Thanks guys ... gives me a lot to think about ... awaywego ... My 3280RL has a build date of 1/2000 so it may be a bit different than your 2001. I am guessing that the breaker box in the back of mine is the same as yours next to your converter. We just had a w/d added but have not used it.
Thanks everyone for the information.
Dennis

[Drifty1]

His 2001 is wired like my 2002 3295rk. Montana installed a 30 and a 20 on each leg of ours. I bet that was standard in those years even though the pedestal might be feeding two 50 amp legs.. Anyone else have a 2002 that they can check the breaker size in their unit.

[awaywego]

My 2001 was built 2 weeks before they started the 2002. They had made the changes for 2002 but the date of manufacture made it a 2001.

[Justme44]

Well ... I flipped some breakers. In the rear, there are 3 breakers on their side. Top two are 20amp(not 10amp as I thought) and the bottom is a 30amp. I plugged in my gen and turned on the AC. It worked just fine. While it was running I flipped the 30 amp(in rear) and the AC stopped. Turned it on again and flipped the 30 amp breaker in the converter labeled AC and the AC stopped. So .. if I turn either of the two 30 breakers off, the AC will stop(did not check the W/D at this time). I did not notice anything else stopping with the AC breaker or the rear 30 turned off. With everything running I turned the top 20 amp off and I could not determine anything stopping. When I turned the second 20amp off the Washer/Dryer stopped. This exercise was to determine how to install an inverter. I guess I can leave all three breakers in the rear on and everything should work just fine if I connect to only the converter. Does anyone see a problem with that?
I want to thank all of you for your information. I really, really like this site.
Dennis