ac electrical problems R-29cb

E

Eloc

New member
Joined
Jan 8, 2026
Messages
4
Fluid Motion Model
R-29 CB
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2907E617
Vessel Name
Free Bird
Main breaker on AC panel 1 is kicked out. Need help in identifying possible problem.
 
I turned them all off and the panel breaker would not reset. I disconnected shore power and it would reset. When i turned shore power back on it kicked off again.
 
Eloc said:
I turned them all off and the panel breaker would not reset. I disconnected shore power and it would reset. When i turned shore power back on it kicked off again.
Click to expand...
It sounds as if you have a short to the busbar. Disconnect shore power then I would pull the panel out a bit and see if you can see anything obvious. If it was me I would reconnect shore power see if it trips you may have move the wire tripping the breaker. If you are not comfortable dealing with AC power get a professional in.
 
The circuit breaker is after the cable connector and feeds to the panel. DO NOT CONSTANTLY reset the CB (circuit breaker) after a trip. If this is a dead short on the load side of the CB (which it has to be if it is tripping). This will damage the CB.

WITH POWER OFF
You need to access the back of the AC Panel and see if there is a short.
Look for any signs of arcing or sparking. If none
Disconnect the load side bus or cable.
With the power off, try to rest the CB. It could be a defective CB.
BE CAREFUL. If the CB resets turn the AC Power from shore on, and with the load side disconnected, turn the CB on and see if you have 120 VAC AC on the line and load side.
Does this tug have dual power cords?
With all the load CBs off and the Parallel CB off, there has to be a short on the load side distribution for the circuit breaker.
 
I have an R29 2017. Four years ago, I was sharing shore power with another boat, 24/7 for months. Everything was fine, until it got down to 10 deg. I was tripping the shore power breaker as soon as I turned on the 110v breaker in my boat. Andrew Custis figured it out for me in a few minute call. The two boats were using electric heaters, using too many watts. 10 degrees and no power was freaky.
 
The boat has 2 30-amp services. I have checked the cords at the boat and both are delivering electric to the boat as they should. I have tripped all the individual breakers on the #1 panel and left the #1 panel breaker on. The #1 panel main breaker will trip once I turn shore power back on. I did have a heater plugged in on that panel. However, I ran a drop cord for that heater and the problem still exists. With all the individual breakers on panel #1 turned off, the main disconnect on that panel will still trip!
I appreciate all the help. Thanks much!
 
I'm not familiar with that boat's electrical system. Is the main breaker that's tripping an ELCI breaker, or is this a main breaker on the panel after the ELCI at the inlet? If it IS an ELCI breaker, then you need to look at the possibility of a ground fault rather than an overcurrent situation.
 
Your problem is between the breaker and the individual breakers. It could be the main breaker is faulty or you have a short to ground/return.
Disconnect the hot wire out of the main breaker. If it trips its the breaker at fault if not its the wiring. If not the fault is after but before the individual breakers.
 
What's the best way to remove the wooden panel that the electrical panels and disconnects are mounted on. There are no obvious screws to remove to remove.
Does the panel pop in or?? I am going to take a mirror to see if i can determine if it snaps in or what. It that panel off in order to do electrical checks for a short.
Thanks for hour input.
 
We have had problems with the two breakers located behind the rear cockpit seat going bad. You may want to check them.
 
Eloc said:
What's the best way to remove the wooden panel that the electrical panels and disconnects are mounted on. There are no obvious screws to remove to remove.
Does the panel pop in or?? I am going to take a mirror to see if i can determine if it snaps in or what. It that panel off in order to do electrical checks for a short.
Thanks for hour input.
Click to expand...
On my panel I found there a plastic rectangular covers top and bottom of the panel these covered the screws. Be gentle when pulling the panel out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top