Community Forums

Maxie · 12-22-2007, 03:24 PM

We are planning to visit a campground which only has 30 amp connections. It is in the mountains, and we'll probably not need air conditioning. Will the 30 amp connection be adaquate to run all other electrical features, including washer/dryer, two fantastic vent fans, as well as a convection oven? Thanks for any feedback. Maxie

Maxie · 12-22-2007, 03:24 PM

We are planning to visit a campground which only has 30 amp connections. It is in the mountains, and we'll probably not need air conditioning. Will the 30 amp connection be adaquate to run all other electrical features, including washer/dryer, two fantastic vent fans, as well as a convection oven? Thanks for any feedback. Maxie

Every Miles A Memory · 12-22-2007, 03:43 PM

I'm not sure what size coach you have, but a 30amp connection will run everything in our 25' camper including the Microwave and the A/C at the same time.

If you have one of those monstrous coaches, than maybe just shut off a few of the bigger things.

Your largest power users are the A/C, the Microwave, and the Coffee Pot, or Blow Dryer. As long as you're not running any two of those at the same time, you should be fine

Pat

Rock-Rocker · 12-22-2007, 04:30 PM

I have a 37ft Adventurer and as long as I am not running the basement air I haven't had any problems at all running all the other appliances.

Rocky Larson · 12-22-2007, 04:48 PM

IMHO, I would consider switching the refer and hot water to gas only. Their electric heater elements will come on as they are needed and perhaps at inconvienent times with other things running. As the Fantastic fans and furnace fans run off of the 12 volt system you could also be sure your converter/charger is off during high 120 volt usage. Just be sure to turn it back on to keep the batteries charged. In anycase these precautions are only if you are pushing the 30amp limit and need to take something offline. Don't forget your 50female/30male adapter, and to check the voltage and polarity of the campground before plugging in.
Have fun and good luck

Workshop · 12-22-2007, 05:50 PM

Maxie, welcome to iRV2 and the Excel Owners forum. You should be fine on 30 amps this time of year. Most of the parks we have been staying at have 30amps and haven't had any problems with A/C and major items on 120v. Of course, I still do my laundry the old fashion way. As stated, if you find yourself short on amps, switch the frig and WH to gas. Your converter should be a Progressive and will be just fine left connected. Your furnace, lights and fans are 12v. Enjoy your trip.

MonacoMama · 12-22-2007, 07:20 PM

Maxie...
I would like to first congratulate you on your new 2008 - 36' Excel! I am sure it is more than comfortable!

Second of all.. welcome to the best darned RV forum on the web! You will find almost everyone here at iRV2 (and the Excel forum) quite knowledgable and friendly...plus very willing to help when they can!

You should do fine if you take the advice of the first 4 posts.

The item mentioned in the 5th post doesn't always work in all campgrounds - and if I recall, a member from the forum I belong to had some real issues with that item...

Again...congratulations on your new rig..and welcome to iRV2 and the Excel forum!

Please feel free to post as many questions or tips that you may have..and visit here often!

John66 · 12-22-2007, 07:33 PM

Keep in mind that the '50 amp' connection is really 100 amps (2 50 amp circuits of opposite phase). Since the cord shares the return line, the one phase cancels out the opposite phase, which keeps the max current in the return wire to 50 amps (when 100 amps is flowing through the 2 'hot' wires, the current in the return cancels out to 0). This way, the return wire does not have to be bigger than the hot wires.

Thus, if you only hook up to 30 amps, you need to ensure that you never draw more than 30 amps. Generally, this means that you can run the stuff you find in a 30 amp trailer. 1 A/C and the converter which provides 12v and some lights and the entertainment center. And except when the A/C is just starting up, generally 1 other 'high draw' load, like the microwave, or a toaster, or hair dryer, or electric water heater or washer/dryer etc.

If you are not running any A/C, you can probably replace it with another high draw load. So, it does not sound like you will have a problem as long as you pay attention to what you are trying to run at the same time.

That conversion box mentioned is a way to exceed 30 amps (max possible would be 60, with the most common being 50). However, there is a very important caveat. The 2 circuits used MUST be out of phase, or you will overload the return line. Get a 220v test light and before hooking up to the conversion box, measure to ensure you have 220v between the 2 hot pins.

MonacoMama · 12-22-2007, 08:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That conversion box mentioned is a way to exceed 30 amps (max possible would be 60, with the most common being 50). However, there is a very important caveat. The 2 circuits used MUST be out of phase, or you will overload the return line. Get a 220v test light and before hooking up to the conversion box, measure to ensure you have 220v between the 2 hot pins. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL...I was told by my DH not to sound like an electrician as he explained it to me... so I dummied it down to basics...I just know that others posted that it did not usually work well - and how many of us will test both plugs to make sure it would be "out of phase"?

(not me

)!

OK.. this is the another time of many I will let DH determine about stuff ...but to me - it is easier not to worry - and just know I have to turn something off before the blow dryer gets turned on!

NeilV · 12-23-2007, 01:34 AM

Most modern coaches should have a power management system that kicks in when you are running on 30 or 20 amps. My 2001 Adventurer does and I really do not have to worry much about it. I just leave everything as it is and if the draw gets too great power managment starts shutting down the electric element on the water heater, the fridge and secondary AC. Of course if you try to run a coffee maker, hair dryer, toaster, washer/dryer and microwave at the same time then you will trip a breaker.

Try not to run any two of the items listed above at the same time for more than a minute, such as nuking a cup of coffee while the washer is running and you should be fine.

RV Wizard · 12-23-2007, 01:47 AM

Maxie, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us and congratulations on your new Excel. You will find we are a group of fun loving RVers that like to help each other where we can, so if you have any questions just ask. Good luck and enjoy the forum!