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historyljc · 02-13-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adlerx

Just so I have this straight. My 99 lapalma has 50 amp service. If, while in my driveway, I plug into a 15amp cord coming from my house, it will have enough power to charge my batteries, maybe run a few lights without problems. I don't want to run the ac, don't have a coffee maker and don't want to run the microwave. If I need any of the high power items, I'll run the gen.
The one thing I dwill run is the furnace. Just wonder how fast that draws the batteries down and if the 15a will keep up or catch up?

Oh dear!, are you in treatment for this malady?

ksg5000 · 02-13-2011, 08:46 PM

If all your going to do is charge your batteries and run your furnace your not going to have a problem - neighbors may not take kindly to RV furnace running in the middle of the night so judicious use of electric furnace might be in order (better to test whether your friends house circuit can handle your electric furnace in the daytime rather than blow his fuse in the middle of the night).

adlerx · 02-14-2011, 05:11 AM

Great! Just one more question. Is it necessary to use two plug adapters to go from a 50 amp input to 20 amp? I already bought the two spperate adapters(50a to 30a and 30a to 20a) but would rather just use a single adapter or box if available.

pa0gri · 02-14-2011, 05:39 AM

As a rule of thumb, divide the battery charge current by 8 and you know that amps the 110 line have to supply.
Like 40 amp charge takes 5 amps on the 110 line.
A (running) furnace takes 5-8 amps from the battery (1 amp 110 volt)
Fridge on 110 takes 1 to 3 amps.
Hope this helps on your math.

And, as a plus, when you draw too much, eighter a fuse pops or your line cord starts smoking. (roll out completly, do not use rolled up)

bldrbob · 02-14-2011, 07:55 AM

I use the two adapters,50 to 30 30 to 15.Never saw a 50 to 15 but they may be available.If you already have them why spend more money to have something else to store?

wildtoad · 02-14-2011, 08:15 AM

If you must plug into a 15 amp socket you might look into getting a kill-a-watt. Amazon.com: P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor: Home Improvement

Plug it into the desired socket then plug the RV into the Kill-A-Watt and it should tell you how much current your rv is drawing.

One should also take care in where you plug it in. Was the socket installed according to code by an electrician or by "Billy Joe Bob" from down the street. I plugged my RV into a socket in a storage shed and went about my business. A short time later everything quit so I went to check the circuit breaker only to find it had NOT tripped. After looking around I also noticed the light switch in the shed had melted. I replaced the switch and immediately had a 30 amp circuit installed. So just be careful.

Also when calculating amps that a device takes, don't forget to factor in startup surge. a device may run at say 5 amps but it may take considerably more to get it started albeit briefly.