ACs and 30 amp Hook up only?

[Dave1956]

All:

My Newmar 3352DP has a 50 AMP system with two ACs. My question is, when stopping at a CG with only 30 AMP service, can I still turn on one of the ACs ? It is my understanding that 30 AMPs would not support two ACs.

If I can run one AC on 30 AMPs would I do this by turning one of my zones off at the thermastat, perhaps the bedroom AC?

Thanks in advance for your advise.

Dave

[Mr_D]

We have 2 13.5 heat pumps in our DSDP, I can run both of them on 30 amps but not much else. I turn the water heater to gas, the refer doesn't make much difference although I do change it over too.

["007"]

You control your zones with your thermostat settings.
30amps will run your 1 AC may even run both if fridge, hot water heater are placed on LP gas.
If you had a digital meter plugged in outlet you would see your voltage drop as appliances are used.
To much of a voltage drop will harm your AC operation.

[jillie]

Our previous coach had an EMS panel with a digital readout of our amp usage. Loved it and miss it in this new coach. What can we get to take its place? We're in a campground with 30 amp service now; running one A/C and the fridge on electricity. Turn off the A/C to use the microwave.

BTW, the coach was shaking with that earthquake even though we're in mid-NY.

[Dave1956]

OK, thanks! I feel better knowing that if I only have 30 amps I can still use the ACs with some degree of caution.

[DutchStar38]

You might get away with running both AC's on 30 amps but chances are you are close to tripping the source breaker. I tried it with a short 50 to 30 adapter and after 1 hour that short adapter was hot and limp. If the source pole also has a standard recepticle then this usually supplies 15 amps. I went to Camping World and got the box adapter that has 2 30 amp plugs but it also contains an adapter to run one of the plugs to a standard 15 amp plug. Together this gave me approx 45 amps which was plenty to run both AC's and fridge but not the water heater. The microwave was used sparingly. But having both AC's in this summers extreme heat was well worth it. During the day they ran non-stop until dusk.

[Dave1956]

Sounds like something I need to add! We try to avoid, extreme heat camping, but coming and going from Texas it is a fact. We will be heading south from the Smokie Mountain NP in late September and a few of the Georgia SPs that I have considered all have 30 AMP hook-ups. Weather temps might still be warm enough to require AC but not too much.

When I get back into the real heat I will look for 50 AMPS if needed.

Thanks,

Dave

["007"]

You may find that 15 or 20 amp outlet off the 30 or 50 amp service in some camp grounds, just saying.

[bluepill]

I have run both my 13.5 BTU AC units with NOTHING ELSE on (even the battery charger), and my EMS ammeter showed 24-25 amps. This agrees with the Mfr. Specs for the AC's.

A thirty amp circuit is rated at 24 amps continuous (80 % Rule), so it's right at the max. My 50 to 30 adaptor was quite hot to the touch after an hour of running.

At all but one CG the voltage stayed above 112, so I felt OK about it. One dropped to 107, so I switched off the circuit breaker for one unit, and it came up to 111.

[DutchStar38]

bluepill, my 50 to 30 adapter didn't bother me as much as the park wiring did. At least I knew my adapter was in good shape and was able to handle the load. The box from camping world really reduced the worry about turning something on without compensating somewhere else. I also carry 2 50ft 30 amp cords in case I need to hook up to another source farther away. For most of the days at a particular park I was able to use the souce from the space adjacent to mine because I knew when it would be occupied then I switched to one 30 amp plug and the 15 amp plug which worked just fine without heating any cords up. So now I think I have every adapter known to man stored below. I guess I need to get something to monitor line voltage next. Just never ends.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepill At all but one CG the voltage stayed above 112, so I felt OK about it. One dropped to 107, so I switched off the circuit breaker for one unit, and it came up to 111.

That's why I have an Autoformer!

[MONGO MAN]

A Progressive Industries E M S with remote display will give you volts - amps each side of your 50 amp line - or you have to manually add the amps both sides if you are using a 30 amp outlet with a 50 amp adapter.It will not manage the load by turning off appliances (you will have to do that manually)but acts as surge-over/under voltage protector

[alvinc]

Dave1956, you might want to read up on the EMS in your RV. An EMS is a Energy Management System that efficiently manages the power consumption of your RV. There are two EMS system capacities, one for 30 amps and one for 50 amps.

My RV has a 30 amp version and it manages the power consumption of the RV to keep it under 30 amps. For example if both air conditioners running and someone uses the Microwave, one of the AC units (the rear one) compressors will be turned off (fan will still run). When the microwave shuts off the AC compressor will be allowed to run again (assuming an interval of time has passed, to protect the compressor). This unit also does not allow both compressors to turn on at the same time in order to avoid the combined surge current. It can also detect that a large load has been applied to any of the 120VAC outlets and shut off a compressor.

The 50 amp version is also the same, but it actually detects that you are connected to only 30 amps and manages the load the same way as described above. This ability is dependent in some cases on how the 50 amp to 30 amp adapter is wired. Often the detection of 30 vs 50 amps is done by sensing current on one leg of the 50 amp 240 volt supply, but not both. If the adapter is wired to supply current to both legs of the 50 amp cord this circuitry will be fooled and not manage the load.

Check, and read up, on what EMS your RV contains.

[ccook129]

This is what I use

RV Cheater Box - 50 amps from 30 & 20 - PPL Motor Homes