A/C on 30 AMP Service

[ROYBUCK]

I have never tried the A/C on 30 AMP service. I will be in a camp ground in June with just 30 AMP. Can I run just one, I know I will need to cut back on other services, looking for recommendation from some one who has experience this. Thanks Roy

[wa8yxm]

wolfe10 wrote:
I have never seen or heard of a 30 male to 50 female that did not connect the single hot on the 30 amp end to BOTH hots on the 50 amp end.

Normally on those adapters the wires are welded to the pins or slots..However on some of the cheap "Made in china" jobs, the welds are, shall we say "Not Aircraft Quality".

IN fact,,,they are not

And during shipping or handling, the wire can loose contact with the connector..Very bad.

[dodge_guy]

You'll be fine minus one of your A/C's! Lots of is with larger trailers have 30A service, and we have everything a 50A unit has minus one A/C unit.

[AllegroD]

As B. Wolfe said, you need to watch to see that volts do not go too low. Get a plugin, digital voltmeter (i.e. Kill-A-Watt). I keep one plugged in all the time just for the 30 Amp situation. If it gets below 108 volts, you should manually shed something. If it gets to 104 you can start incurring heat damage to some systems, which is not immediately apparent and accumulative. Meaning your A/C could die an early death, though not immediate.

[Dale_Traveling]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
,,, The only change we make is to only run one A/C at a time, and everything else works normally. We haven't popped the stanchion breaker yet.

I do the same without problems. Camp more on 30 amp than 50.

[wa8yxm]

Some major warnings there.

I run Reefer on electric (most of the time,,,See notes)
One Air Conditioner

Water heater **OR** microwave but never both

Batteries must be full to do that(If they are low do not use water heater on Electric or microwave.

Several computers and TV or Radio

IN SOME CASES.. I have to cut the fridge over to gas...But that is rare.

[wolfe10]

phranc wrote:
If I have good solid 30A and 120V , i can run 2 air conditioners , not any thing else though. YMMV

You are talking about IDEAL conditions (full 120 VAC at full 30 amp load) AND with no amps going to battery charging, lights, TV, etc.

AND I assume you have 13,500 BTU A/C's and that they NEVER both try to start at the same time.

Yes, IDEAL conditions.

[phranc]

If I have good solid 30A and 120V , i can run 2 air conditioners , not any thing else though. YMMV

[Dutch_12078]

We're on 30 amp service with our 50 amp coach right now. The only change we make is to only run one A/C at a time, and everything else works normally. We haven't popped the stanchion breaker yet.

[ROYBUCK]

Thanks every one for the Info: Roy

[Johno02]

Justremember that there are lots of folks with 30A service running their ACs all the time. Generally, if things are as they should be, and you have 120v on both sides, you should be able to run 2 high wattage devices at the same time. Like 1 AC+1 Microwave. Just don't let DW use a hair dryer at the same time as the other two.

[Billinwoodland]

I have a 50 amp coach with an energy management system. It shows a list of the hierarchy of functions that it will shed if on 30 amp. As others said, move frig to manual mode and put it on LP. For the hot water heater, I only turn my on shortly before I need hot water. As mentioned, I would use the LP instead of the 120.

[Big_Katuna]

Yes, measure voltage inside the RV with the AC running as many 30A receps are worn out as they tend to be used at near capacity.

I can run both AC's on 30A but I have EMS that manages compressor and fan startups.

[wolfe10]

aslakson wrote:
Make sure your 30 to 50 dogbone passes power to BOTH legs of your 50amp feed - many coaches have one AC unit on one leg, and the other on the other. You need to make sure both legs are getting power. I'd test it before you get there to make sure.

al

I have never seen or heard of a 30 male to 50 female that did not connect the single hot on the 30 amp end to BOTH hots on the 50 amp end.

So that will not be a problem. As all have said, you will need to manage your electrical use, but the one roof A/C will be fine.

The only exception is that in some parks with only 30 amp service, the wiring is substandard, so be sure to check voltage (any outlet in the coach will do) when you turn large loads. 108 VAC is absolutely as low as you want to run your A/C.

[camper19709]

refer on gas. water heater on gas. you will be fine with careful use of the microwave. at times I have needed to turn off the A/C to run the microwave. no biggie. you will learn what you can run all at the same time.