30 amps and heat pumps?

[DGBPokes]

We are headed to the Black Hills in a few days. Weather looks like cool nights. Fully aware that 30 amps is good for only one A/C in the summer time. Same rule for heat pump?

[D Lindy]

Yep, heat pump is nothing more then the A/C reversing the cooling process into a heating process.

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

We are headed to the Black Hills in a few days. Weather looks like cool nights. Fully aware that 30 amps is good for only one A/C in the summer time. Same rule for heat pump?

Both my heat pumps run at the same time on 30 amps. Everything else has to wait it's turn. The load shedding works pretty well if the power is good.

If the weather is extreme then you may have to fire up the propane.

[jacwjames]

We carry some small cube heater. If there is a separate 15 amp outlet you could run an extension cord and run a small heater for additional heat.

[Kiawah]

Yep, heat pump is nothing more then the A/C reversing the cooling process into a heating process.

Some heat pumps also have an additional integrated heat strip.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

We carry some small cube heater. If there is a separate 15 amp outlet you could run an extension cord and run a small heater for additional heat.

We do that also! We have a small electric quartz heater that we put in front of our chairs and it sweeps back and forth. Really feels good, much nicer than the heat pumps!

[OLYLEN]

Heat pumps, too much noise. We have for years run a small cube heater to keep the chill off. And as winter comes on a second then as temps drop below freezing for extended periods the furnace to keep water lines from freezing. One would be surprised how much heat two people sleeping in a small bedroom area keeps it warm.

LEN

[Kiawah]

Electric heater / Fireplace
1 amp = 120 watts = 410 BTU
10 amp = 1200 watts = 4,100 BTU
that is=> 410 BTU's heat per amp


Heat pump Coleman Mach 8 15K
15,000 BTU uses 1748 watts, which is 14.6 amps
that is=> 1030 BTU's heat per amp


If you are paying for the electricity, then you're better off using the heatpump as you'll get 2.5x the heat btu per current consumed. It's much noisier however, than a simple electric heat element heater. (Propane of course even more efficient).

If you're not paying for the electricity and it's not too cold out (requiring drawing too much total current), then your fireplace/heat cubes are the way to go. That also saves wear and tear on your much more expensive heatpump.

[Kiawah]

Electric heater / Fireplace
1 amp = 120 watts = 410 BTU
10 amp = 1200 watts = 4,100 BTU
410 BTU's per amp


Heat pump Coleman Mach 8 15K
15,000 BTU uses 1748 watts, which is 14.6 amps
1030 BTU's per amp


If you are paying for the electricity, then you're better off using the heatpump as you'll get up to 2.5x the heat btu per current consumed. It's much noisier however, than a simple electric heat element heater.

If you're not paying for the electricity and it's not too cold out (requiring drawing too much total current), then your fireplace/heat cube is the way to go. That also saves wear and tear on your much more expensive heatpump. These also don't get any less efficient from an efficiency viewpoint as it gets colder, compared to heatpumps.

[oh no]

Just came back from there we enjoyed the cooler temp 30 amp. Work fine we stay at RAFTER J BAR RANCH with heat pumps

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Kiawah

Some heat pumps also have an additional integrated heat strip.

No, some air conditioners have integrated heat strips. Heat pumps don't need heat strips.

[bruceisla]

Assuming you have Dometic A/C heat-pump, they will usually work down to between 34 and 40 degrees (outside temp) then switch to aux heat. That will probably be OK for your stay. I have 2 quartz heaters as backup. You can plug 1 into an inside receptacle and another on an extension cord to the pedestal 20 amp duplex. Run it thru a window ... block the gap ... I use a piece of pipe insulation.

[Kiawah]

No, some air conditioners have integrated heat strips. Heat pumps don't need heat strips.

Here's one

Coleman-Mach Mach 8 15,000 BTU Heat Pump - Arctic White - Rv Products 47004A876/47004-876 - Air Conditioners - Camping World

[chunker]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

No, some air conditioners have integrated heat strips. Heat pumps don't need heat strips.

Wrong info. Some heat pumps, residential and RV, have heat strips to augment the heat pump's effort. Heat pumps will produce very little heat below 40F and the heat strip is needed.