Operating 15,000 BTU Air At Home ?

[rideandslide]

Hello All

Just want to pass something thru you all for opinions, after or 2nd new Dometic AC unit in 2 years ( under warrentee ). We seldom run the unit at home, but we have, and just want confirmation that we are not doing anything wrong ( service rep says no, just the Dometic units ).

We keep our 2015 Grey Wolf beside my shop, and i installed a separate power receptacle for it , wired to the shop power. which i had 14 ga romex to it, but after getting my new compressor, which required 14 amps, and would not start, i increased the wire gauge to 12 ga, and a 20 amp breaker ( wire run is about 150 feet ) compressor fine now !!! I use a short 10 ga, cord between the receptacle and TT.

The plate on the Dometic 15,000 BTU says 13.2 amps, my volt meter show 122 volts at the receptacle ( i have no way tho measure the amps there ) so am i safe running the Air on the circuit with nothing else on it ???

Thanks

[parkerbill]

When I wired up a 30 Amp circuit drop at home for my TT I used 10 gauge wire and it runs my 15k TT A/C fine.

[chaps2018]

8 ga for that distance @ 13.3a. Look up a wire sizing guide to confirm.

[96 Wideglide]

It's possible the voltage is dropping too low for the compressor, on that length of run with a 20A outlet.

[rideandslide]

Like said, i have 122 volts at the receptacle, don't know how that does with amps, except to say my 14 amp compressor fires up fine !

[okcnewbie]

Your voltage meter isn't really going to help with this.

A properly set up 20amp breaker/outlet straight to your trailer cord would work fine. It's just math.

Pick up one of these meters from harbor freight to find out exactly how many amps your unit uses.
"Kill A Watt"â„¢ Electric Monitor

[Intothewild]

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

Your voltage meter isn't really going to help with this.

A properly set up 20amp breaker/outlet straight to your trailer cord would work fine. It's just math.

Pick up one of these meters from harbor freight to find out exactly how many amps your unit uses.
"Kill A Watt"â„¢ Electric Monitor

Yep they work great I have mine plunged in thru one of those. Able to see watts, volts, amps, hertz, kilowatts, and even programmed in cost. Kind of nice to be able to even see how much a blender used for some cold drinks. I got mine at Home Depot

[rideandslide]

Thanks, one of those in my Harbor Frt. cart now !

[franknj]

I had electricians install a 30amp box outside with 10-3 NM-B wiring. Works like a charm for me.

[KD4UPL]

Do you have 122 volts at the outlet with the air conditioner running? It doesn't matter what it is before you plug in or turn on the AC. The voltage will drop when you connect a load. I would think that 150' of #12 would be okay to run just the AC if you don't have other loads on. It's probably kind of marginal. Turn the AC on and measure the voltage at an outlet in your RV and see what it is. If it's much below 110v then you need bigger wire.

[bluepill]

^^^This, except I would want to see 115 volts with A/C running. Even with 115, you probably drop to 105 to 108 when starting the A/C.

Also, put your hand on the plugs and sockets after running for about 15 minutes to check for excessive heat. That is a sign of a poor connection.

[rideandslide]

Thanks All, Got one of those Watt Miser things, you plug in the outlet/cord and the appliance into it and it tells you volts,amps, hertz, etc,etc, that the appliance is using !