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DaveTN · 03-03-2013, 07:45 AM

We are camping next weekend (class C), and the forecast is COLD. This may be a stupid question but could I run a little electric heater off the 20 amp outlet (i guess with a regular household extension cord) while plugged into the 30 amp as well. Obviously we may not need it but the question is if it is really cold could we? Yes, the furnace is propane but with 4 kids going electric may be at a premium. Would it save turning off microwave, etc and reduce the load on the 30 if we use the heater on the 20 i guess is what i am asking. The hookup at the site has 20, 30, and 50 amp.

Thanks for any thoughts.

palehorse89 · 03-03-2013, 07:52 AM

Yes , the 20 amp. outlets on most posts should be wired seperate from the 30 and 50, so yes run a good heavy cord inside , make sure your cord is heavy enough for the amp.s of the heater to run it. Have fun.....

StevieG · 03-03-2013, 07:57 AM

If your mh is 30 amp, you will be able to run the heater but not much else. If the receptacle at the site has a second 20 or 30 amp plug in spot, I would run the heater with a separate extension cord off that and your mh plugged in to the 30 amp receptacle. If the second outlet is a 30 amp, you will need a 30 to 20 pigtail or adapter.

SMRDNR · 03-03-2013, 08:08 AM

we did that all the time with our TT, we had the factory installed fireplace/heater. I installed a separate recpt in the camper for the fireplace and put one (in picture) outside so I could just plug in and run the fireplace. worked great, and we could make coffee in the morning without tripping the breaker

DaveTN · 03-03-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieG

If your mh is 30 amp, you will be able to run the heater but not much else. If the receptacle at the site has a second 20 or 30 amp plug in spot, I would run the heater with a separate extension cord off that and your mh plugged in to the 30 amp receptacle. If the second outlet is a 30 amp, you will need a 30 to 20 pigtail or adapter.

I don't quite understand this, the space heater draws that much? So in essence it draws like AC does in summer? Sorry if this is a dumb question, the propane has always sufficed for heat but next weekend I want a backup from the space heater if needed.

vsheetz · 03-03-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMRDNR

we did that all the time with our TT, we had the factory installed fireplace/heater. I installed a separate recpt in the camper for the fireplace and put one (in picture) outside so I could just plug in and run the fireplace. worked great, and we could make coffee in the morning without tripping the breaker

Good idea!

GaryKD · 03-03-2013, 09:13 AM

Hi DaveTN,
Based on the information in the OP, the site has 100 AMPS to the pedestal. All the outlets, at the pedestal, draw from this 100 AMPS. They are on different breakers, but draw from the same source. The potential AMP draw is:
50 AMP plug = 100 AMPS (50 AMPS on each power leg)
30 AMP plug = 30 AMPS
20 AMP plug = 20 AMPS

If your coach has a 50 AMP shore cord there is, most likely, no need for a separate external power cord for the heaters.

If your coach has a 30 AMP shore cord, running an extra shore cord from the 20 AMP plug is a valid solution for additional electric heat. You could also use adapters to use the 50 AMP plug, for the coach or the extra shore cord.

winniman · 03-03-2013, 10:09 AM

If you are plugged into a 30 amp outlet, you should be able to run a small heater as long as you are not running anything else that takes too much power. A 1500 watt heater draws about 12 amps. 120 volts x 12 amps = 1540 watts. This would still leave 18 amps of power left.

DaveTN · 03-03-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi DaveTN,
Based on the information in the OP, the site has 100 AMPS to the pedestal. All the outlets, at the pedestal, draw from this 100 AMPS. They are on different breakers, but draw from the same source. The potential AMP draw is:
50 AMP plug = 100 AMPS (50 AMPS on each power leg)
30 AMP plug = 30 AMPS
20 AMP plug = 20 AMPS

If your coach has a 50 AMP shore cord there is, most likely, no need for a separate external power cord for the heaters.

If your coach has a 30 AMP shore cord, running an extra shore cord from the 20 AMP plug is a valid solution for additional electric heat. You could also use adapters to use the 50 AMP plug, for the coach or the extra shore cord.

Thanks, this is what I was really getting at!

DaveTN · 03-03-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winniman

If you are plugged into a 30 amp outlet, you should be able to run a small heater as long as you are not running anything else that takes too much power. A 1500 watt heater draws about 12 amps. 120 volts x 12 amps = 1540 watts. This would still leave 18 amps of power left.

Thanks, this helps as well!