Turn off breakers for best DC output?

[montereyfgrv]

Probably a silly question, but should the breakers be turned off if you're only going to run on propane and DC?

I ask because I'm troubleshooting my fridge and water heater not turning on and igniting when I'm unplugged from AC. And today, I had the breakers turned off when I again tested everything, and it all turned on (albeit for about 5 minutes). It made me wonder if the breakers being on will interfere with drawing DC power, or maybe at least if the battery is very low/weak.

[AC0GV]

[QUOTE=montereyfgrv;831942]Probably a silly question, but should the breakers be turned off if you're only going to run on propane and DC?
/QUOTE]
Mine is usually left on with one exception. When listening to weak signals on the ham radio, the converter can make noise in the audio.
With the battery and converter hooked in parallel leaving the breaker(s) on should be OK.

[Dan Meyer]

If you are not plugged into shore power (or generator...) the position of the AC power breakers does not matter.



--Dan Meyer

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Dan Meyer

If you are not plugged into shore power (or generator...) the position of the AC power breakers does not matter.
--Dan Meyer

I missed that part.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by montereyfgrv

.. It made me wonder if the breakers being on will interfere with drawing DC power, or maybe at least if the battery is very low/weak.

Breakers only control 120 volt AC power. 12 volt DC power uses fuses. (There is such a thing as 12 volt DC breakers but they are not used in the camper).

If you are on shore power and using a converter (or charger) powered by 120 volts AC then breakers are controlling power to the converter (or charger). So, if you have a weak battery then not having the converter (or charger) powered up can be a problem. But for the fridge on propane that depends on the model. Some do require 12 volt DC power.. some do not.

So with minimal details about your rig its hard to say.. but I suspect the biggest clue to any problem you are having is..

Originally Posted by montereyfgrv

.....[if] the battery is very low/weak.

Does the fridge work OK when the converter is on? If yes, then suspect the battery. If not, the suspect lack of routine maintenance of the fridge.. particularly the burner, orifice and chimney.