Community Forums

billtrew · 01-18-2013, 10:46 AM

We are new to RVing. Just purchased a 37c Pace Arrow. Living in Florida we wanted 2 A/C's. Overlooked that this unit only has a 30 amp service. Will we have problems trying to run both ACs and something else like the Frig?

vsheetz · 01-18-2013, 11:00 AM

Both AC will run on 30A service. There is a energy management system that automatically sheds one AC unit (turns off the compressor) should you turn on a high draw item such as the microwave oven, and returns the AC to operation when the high draw is no longer. You can see this happening via the shed light near the AC controls. Works great on my 02' PA 37A.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-19-2013, 08:53 AM

Short answer is yes, you will have problems but it may be ok. To keep the total amperage under 30, the EMS will shut off one AC or the other and perhaps the fridge as well. Put the fridge and water heater on propane when you want to run the a/cs and you might possibly get both a/c running at once. Maybe. The two a/c's together draw about 26 amps when running, but each uses a lot more when getting started. If you can get past the start-up stage, they should run ok, but there won't be enough left for anything else to operate on shore power. Even your battery charger may be enough to push it over the 30A.

It may be practical to upgrade your Pace 50A or a hybrid where the rear a/c is run on a separate 20A circuit that you plug directly to the site power pole in addition to your 30A cord. You should already have the basics of that when your generator is in use - the generator will provide an extra 20A feed to the rear a/c so that both can run.

Midniteoyl · 01-19-2013, 09:07 AM

Thats if you have a EMS to shed the load..

vsheetz · 01-19-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

Thats if you have a EMS to shed the load..

Which is what I believe the OP does have, as his PA 37C is similar to my 37A.

Mine works fine, sheds as needed, then the shedded AC comes back on. I don't change over the frig over to propane - just let the EMS do it's thing. Can't say I have seen the refrig or battery charger cause a shed - Microwave does of course. I have no desire or see a need to change over to 50a service.

"007" · 01-19-2013, 02:10 PM

Welcome to irv2.
You may have a control like this.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-20-2013, 10:23 AM

Note that the EMS makes it possible to have both a/c's turned on but does not necessarily allow both to run at the same time. The fans on both run, but the second a/c compressor will not be allowed to start unless there is sufficient power.

With solid 120v shore power and no other loads in the coach, the second a/c can often get started, but if the fridge is drawing a few amps and the battery charger another amp or two, there won't be enough left. The EMS handles it all automatically so no breaker is tripped, but you may not get all the cooling you want on a hot day. With some manual assist you may get better results.

I have a 50A coach but it also has an EMS that comes online if I am using 30A shore power. I can get both a/cs on and cooling if I am careful with the other loads.

sdennislee · 01-20-2013, 10:38 AM

Hi and

Retired and Happy · 01-20-2013, 07:35 PM

We have a '96 30 amp coach and I ran the second A/C to a separate outlet so I can plug it into a separate shore outlet at a campground. So if the generartor is running I can operate both A/C's, or if in camp I can run one from the 30 amp connection and one from a separate outlet on the campground post. I also have another option that when a 20 amp breaker is not available, I can run both A/C's using my PulseAir switch, which alternates the two units on a 7 minute/5 minute sequence.