concession trailer eletric problems


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Old 11-18-14, 02:56 PM
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concession trailer eletric problems

I have a concession trailer that is not keeping everything powered. It runs off a 220 pug to a generator. I had three outlets on all separate breakers that kept going in and out. All the connections looked good so we replaced the breakers in the box. This caused the problem to shift to other outlets that are now not working. What could be the problem? How do I keep power to everything in the trailer?
 
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Old 11-19-14, 05:32 AM
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Is this a 220 (240) volt only generator connection (two hots and ground) or is it a 110/220 (120/240) volt connection with two hots, neutral, and ground?

You cannot power 120 volt appliances using a 240 volt only connection or system.

If receptacles keep "going out" you must have a loose connection somewhere. Loose neutal connections are quite dangerous and can cause equipment to be damaged.

Measure the voltage at each receptacle for different combinations of appliances plugged into different receptacles and turned on. Strange voltages (not close to 120 or 240 volts) indicated a loose connection or improper hookup or missing wire.

Sometimes receptacles become worn so the plug does not make good contact.
 
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Old 11-19-14, 08:29 PM
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Thanks Allan,
That helps, I will check.
I'm learning as I go. The connection to the generator has two hot, neutral, and ground. I changed all the breakers thinking they may been old and worn, and I changed them from 20 amp to 30 amp. I also moved breakers to try to even out both legs and that actually seems to be working so far. At what point do I need a new breaker box all together? How is power stored/distributed in the box? Why are they rated at different amps?
 
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Old 11-19-14, 09:39 PM
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The connection to the generator has two hot, neutral, and ground
.

Then the generator is not 240 volt, but 120/240 volt.

I changed all the breakers thinking they may been old and worn, and I changed them from 20 amp to 30 amp.
That is a problem. 120 volt general use receptacles cannot be on a circuit larger than 20 amps. If the breakers were 20 amps the wiring is probably #12 and must be protected at no more than 20 amps.
 
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Old 11-20-14, 06:01 PM
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What generator are you using? I'm leaning toward there being a problem with your generator rather than the food truck's wiring, considering how cheaply most if them are built.
 
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Old 11-21-14, 07:10 AM
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NEVER just switch breakers to a larger size. That largely defeats the purpose of having a circuit breaker in the first place. What size wire is in your trailer? You can read it on the wire if there is enough exposed or you can hold a wire stripper up to the end of a conductor and see which notch on the stripper best matches the wire. It will probably be either 14 ga which is used for 15 amp circuits or 12 ga for 20 amps but I can almost guarantee you do not have the wiring for 30 amp.
 
 

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