15 amps vs 30 amps

[Fatbear5]

I don't have a 30 amp circuit breaker in my home electrical panel so until I get one installed, is there any reason I can't plug into one of the 15 or 20 amp circuits already in my house?

I'm not planning any heavy-duty electrical usage... just the TV or Radio and maybe some lights.

I'm assuming that Home Depot or Lowes will have a plug adapter that I can use to plug my RV cord into a standard household outlet. Is that correct?

Thanks/Jeff

[RustyJC]

HERE is what you need - see 1st 2 adapters.

Rusty

[Theberrys]

Yes you can plug into a 15 or 20 amp circuit. I think you'll have better luck finding an adapter at Wal Mart or camping world then Home Depot. If you draw too much current it will trip the breaker in the house. I plug my 50 amp coach into a 15 amp circuit to keep the batteries charged. Just don't run the AC or other high current devices.

Dick

[Route 66]

A 15 or 20 amp circuit will work fine, just limited amperage.

HD or Lowes may have an adapter, but you may have to go to a RV store.

[Izzyblueye]

Wally World has scads of the adapters. I keep my float chargers on a 20 amp line all the time at home. Like the o/p said don't run the a/c on it.

[RVee'r]

Well, not to split hairs too finely but, I use a 30A to 15A adapter on my 24 footer and have no problem running the A/C, probably because it's a smaller unit, 1800 watts, I think. That puts it right at the top edge of the load and would probably trip if I turned on a nightlight but it does work

Bob

[Max Hubrich]

Lowes carries the adapters to go from a 30 amp RV electrical cable to a standard 15/20 amp house plug.
I've bought at least 20 from Lowes in the past 3 years for a campground we work at in Maine. They cost right around $5. Look in the electrical section where the electric cord replacement ends are.

Good luck,

[Pete & Linda]

I don't have a problem running an AC.

[Wayne M]

Until I had 50 amp installed I ran 115V 20 amp all the time in the 3400RL and then the Destination. I could run 1 roof AC in the 3400RL and I could run the basement AC in the Destination, but it has an EMS (electrical Management System) that would allow only one compressor to come on.

If we forgot land tried to run the vacuum cleaner or another heavy appliance, it would throw the circuit breaker.

I used the "dog bone" adapter from a camping supply. I have 115 to 30, 30 to 50 amp dog bone adapters and use then with the 50 amp cord.

[wa8yxm]

If plugging into an outlet smaller than your rig's load rating all you need to do is

1: Get the proper adapter and 2: Know your limits

The limits:

You have several "Big Ticket" items in your rig, this includes the converter (if batteries are low, else it's a small ticket item) The Microwave, Water heater and Air conditioner. and if you use electric heat the heater.

15 amp your limit is ONE big ticket
30 Two
50 Several (usually everything in the rig)

SUGGESTION:

When you have the outlet installed have the electrician do a 50 amp RV outlet.. Then use the proper dogbone to plug in your 30 amp rig.. Here is why (2 reasons important one first)

I have read several horror stories about people who hired a 30 amp outlet install and the electrician looked at it and saw a DRYER or WELDER type outlet so he wired it up for a dryer or welder, 240 volt.. And when the RV owner plugged in his 30 amp rig.. Very bad things very quickly happened.

If you have him install a 50 amp (4-wire) outlet, that very simply does not happen.

2nd reason: You may upgrade some day and want that 50 amp hole in the box.. IN which case you'll be glad you have it already cause it's way less expensive to do it the 1st time than to have to re-do it later.

[Izzyblueye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M Until I had 50 amp installed I ran 115V 20 amp all the time in the 3400RL and then the Destination. I could run 1 roof AC in the 3400RL and I could run the basement AC in the Destination, but it has an EMS (electrical Management System) that would allow only one compressor to come on. If we forgot land tried to run the vacuum cleaner or another heavy appliance, it would throw the circuit breaker. I used the "dog bone" adapter from a camping supply. I have 115 to 30, 30 to 50 amp dog bone adapters and use then with the 50 amp cord.

My basement a/c pulled 16 amps on one compressor and 26 on two. If you have 20 amps you probably could get by running just one compressor, but just 15 amps is so marginal.