A/C kicks breaker numerous times till finally starting

air0msw

New Member
Jan 19, 2018
4
Boat Info
2001 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
Engines
350 Mag Mercruiser V-drive
2000 310 Sundancer. The A/C will kick the 20 amp breaker numerous times before compressor will actually start. Fan will always come on but kicks breaker when compressor tries to start. Had the unit out and serviced. while unit was out connected to 110v with water supplied and it starts normally. But in the boat, when the compressor tries to start it acts like its not getting enough power. Replaced the capacitor and added a start capacitor but same result. Also has a new water pump installed. I'm going to replace breaker but the way it sounds when compressor is trying to start is that it just isn't getting enough power. Tried a different shore power chord but same result. Was previously a salt water boat but dry stored and really hardly used. I'm thinking a corroded or bad ground. See several in engine compartment. Got to get my owner's supplement manual since it has wiring diagrams in it. curious what other's think the issue might be and where the ground might actually be located. I guess running a direct ground to breaker to see might tell me?
 
I would check and verify voltage as close to the unit as possible and see how it changes when it tries to start. I would also watch the current with a clamp on to see what its doing at startup and when it actually runs

I would swap breakers to start, probably buy a new one, once a breaker starts to trip it gets weak and trips easier, imo

do you have a genny? i have seen in the past, where similar issues would disappear with the generator, because the dock voltage/connections were an issue
 
My A/C unit at least that model doesn't have a start capacitor. Only a run capacitor reason added the start boost capacitor to it.
 
I would check and verify voltage as close to the unit as possible and see how it changes when it tries to start. I would also watch the current with a clamp on to see what its doing at startup and when it actually runs

I would swap breakers to start, probably buy a new one, once a breaker starts to trip it gets weak and trips easier, imo

do you have a genny? i have seen in the past, where similar issues would disappear with the generator, because the dock voltage/connections were an issue

Yes, I do have a generator and the problem is worse when using power from it.
 
Yes, I do have a generator and the problem is worse when using power from it.
But will replace breaker and thought about running a separate ground directly to breaker to see if that is the issue.
 
since it does the same on the Genny, it isn't the input voltage... i would def test or just change out the starting Cap, they are cheap and easy to change...
 
2000 310 Sundancer. The A/C will kick the 20 amp breaker numerous times before compressor will actually start. Fan will always come on but kicks breaker when compressor tries to start. Had the unit out and serviced. while unit was out connected to 110v with water supplied and it starts normally. But in the boat, when the compressor tries to start it acts like its not getting enough power. Replaced the capacitor and added a start capacitor but same result. Also has a new water pump installed. I'm going to replace breaker but the way it sounds when compressor is trying to start is that it just isn't getting enough power. Tried a different shore power chord but same result. Was previously a salt water boat but dry stored and really hardly used. I'm thinking a corroded or bad ground. See several in engine compartment. Got to get my owner's supplement manual since it has wiring diagrams in it. curious what other's think the issue might be and where the ground might actually be located. I guess running a direct ground to breaker to see might tell me?
I would change the breaker it could be weak you said when the unit was out of the the boat it ran fine
 

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