Community Forums

jasonm · 06-19-2007, 12:32 PM

We are going to a campground this weekend that has 20 amp service. Does that mean I shouldn't/can't run my A/C? Not sure.

jasonm · 06-19-2007, 12:32 PM

We are going to a campground this weekend that has 20 amp service. Does that mean I shouldn't/can't run my A/C? Not sure.

Dave O · 06-19-2007, 12:39 PM

Hi Jasonm

The answer is probably can't and definitely shouldn't run an AC on a campground 20A ckt.

Dave O

Pusherman · 06-19-2007, 12:40 PM

I have run my AC on 20A more than once. Your power management panel should shed other loads to favor the AC.

On the basement units with 2 compressors I believe each pulls about 12-15Amps (approx).

So help your power management panel by turning off your electric H2O heater, don't run the microwave, turn your refrig onto gas, and I have also shut off the 2nd compressor on the AC at the circuit breaker panel. By doing this you can effectively cool your coach as long as you're not in too extreme conditions. At a minimum it will take the humidity out of the air.

AFChap · 06-19-2007, 06:14 PM

My basement unit pulls apx 18 amps on the 1st stage compressor, and apx 24 when both are running. Don't forget that when a compressor kicks in, it pulls much more than it does when it is up and running. I've never tried to run any part of the ac on 15 amp power Guess it would for sure work if the house circuit was 20 amp.

Komvee · 06-20-2007, 04:31 PM

Before I ran a dedicated 30 amp circuit at home, we plugged into 20 amps all the time and ran the A/C to cool down the coach.

You just have to be careful about what else you turn on.

NeilV · 06-22-2007, 02:17 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Komvee:
Before I ran a dedicated 30 amp circuit at home, we plugged into 20 amps all the time and ran the A/C to cool down the coach.

You just have to be careful about what else you turn on. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We do the same but instead of letting power management turn off the second ac compressor we simply disable it at the breaker. We also unplug the coffee maker and microwave least someone forgets.

Effective temps here in Tampa Bay Florida have been hitting above 104 degrees and the single compressor is maintaining 77 degress throughout the day without excessive run times.

MikeT · 06-25-2007, 12:43 PM

Set the managment center to 20 amps

JC2 · 06-25-2007, 01:19 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MikeT:
Set the managment center to 20 amps

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We have the ability also of setting our mc on 20amps but having not done it before was wondering what is the advantage/disadvantage instead of leaving it on 30amps?

Pusherman · 06-25-2007, 03:13 PM

What the energy management system will do is shed more appliances so that you don't draw more than 20 Amps, thus popping the park circuit breaker.

I recommend you set it on 20A when hooked to only 20A.

JC2 · 06-26-2007, 05:03 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pusherman:
What the energy management system will do is shed more appliances so that you don't draw more than 20 Amps, thus popping the park circuit breaker.

I recommend you set it on 20A when hooked to only 20A. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the info. I learned something today.