Community Forums

manderson2228 · 09-01-2016, 12:12 PM

I just bought a new RV and it's my first. Due to it having a fireplace it is a 50a unit it only has the one AC unit. My question is can i still plug into the 30a service and be ok for running most things? We will be cranking the AC but not much else normally. I assume AC and water heater would be ok. Should i consider when looking for an EMS? Any recommendations on a good EMS based on this having a 50a rv?

wildtoad · 09-01-2016, 12:42 PM

First, you should include what make and model you have so those that might have one or a similar one can better respond. When plugged into a 30 amp power source you will need to limit what you have running at anyone time. If your water heater is a gas/electric combo then when on 30 amps run it on gas. Same for fridge. Running the AC should be no problem with most other items. You may run into issues running the microwave and AC at the same time.

Can't provide any input on an EMS.

530ktm · 09-01-2016, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manderson222

I just bought a new RV and it's my first. Due to it having a fireplace it is a 50a unit it only has the one AC unit. My question is can i still plug into the 30a service and be ok for running most things? We will be cranking the AC but not much else normally. I assume AC and water heater would be ok. Should i consider when looking for an EMS? Any recommendations on a good EMS based on this having a 50a rv?

Yes you can plug into a 30 amp service and be fine for running the A/C and water heater. I have a 30 amp service at home and I can run both A/C units and it draws 26 amps and those will be the only things I run. I can run 1 A/C and the water heater and be around the same draw so you need to know what your running and how much draw they have.

mel s · 09-01-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manderson222

I just bought a new RV and it's my first. Due to it having a fireplace it is a 50a unit it only has the one AC unit. My question is can i still plug into the 30a service and be ok for running most things? We will be cranking the AC but not much else normally. I assume AC and water heater would be ok. Should i consider when looking for an EMS? Any recommendations on a good EMS based on this having a 50a rv?

manderson222
On 30A shore power I would only run the 1 roof A/C unit.... not any other "high amp drawing" ... (like the refrigerator and water heater on 120V, and a toaster, microwave. hair dryer etc.), at the same time.

However using the TV and and 1 or 2 120V lamps/lights at the same time should cause no problems).

Mel
'96 Safari

G.G. · 09-01-2016, 01:00 PM

We've had 30 amp service a couple of times, but we have 2 a/c's, so we could only run 1. I googled and found a listing of what each item pulls so we could dance around turning some things off to run others.

Glenn and Kathy · 09-01-2016, 02:05 PM

Were we normally hang out only 30A is available. We only run 1 AC, but it rarely stops. We are able to use the toaster or the MW, plus the refer tv and water heater run also without any problem. Best idea is try it, see what works for you.

Glenn

vsheetz · 09-01-2016, 02:14 PM

On 30a service typically one air conditioner plus another high current draw item can operate simultaneously. Toaster, hair dryer, microwave, etc.

manderson2228 · 09-01-2016, 03:48 PM

Sorry I bought the forrest river surveyor 251rks. It has the wiring for the second AC unit but doesn't have the unit installed. So if i am reading everything right i am good to go, just won't be able to run everything off the 30a but the basics ac/water heater i should be good.

Podivin · 09-01-2016, 03:58 PM

You can run anything in your RV off 30 amps, you just can't run many of them at the same time. You'll find out what the balance points are by tripping breakers - no harm done.

manderson2228 · 09-01-2016, 04:02 PM

So if i got just got the regular 50a surge protector i should be ok on 50a and 30a hookup?

Gary RVRoamer · 09-02-2016, 09:00 AM

The problem with running those things on limited power is that they all operate off a thermostat. If a/c, water heater, and fridge are all on (in electric power mode), they may appear to be OK but eventually their thermostats will all be trying to turn them on at the same time and the site 30A breaker will trip. For example, if the heater is heating (about 12 amps) and the fridge is chilling (2.5-3.0 amps) and the a/c cycles on, it will almost surely trip a breaker. That's because a/c start-up demands over 20A all by itself, though only for a few seconds. But if the a/c is already running (a steady 11-12 amps), both the water heater and the fridge could start OK. Given that they all have thermostats, its unpredictable just what happens and when.

Thus the general advice to only run two things at one time. Even then, the timing might be wrong and you will still get an occasional breaker trip.

Falcon190 · 09-02-2016, 10:19 AM

Another thing to consider when using 30amps is the CG pedestal. I was (according to my EMS) drawing less than 26amps total running only one AC unit but the circuit breaker on the 30amp CG pedestal kept blowing. On hot days when all the RVs are using their ACs you might not have 30amps available. Very frustrating. When plugged into 50amps we've never had that problem.

Oh, the 50amp PI surge protector still functioned properly when plugged into 30amps.

jpharley · 09-02-2016, 07:39 PM

In my opinion, an EMS is an essential piece of equipment for any RV. It offers much more protection than a surge protector and is basically low cost protection for lots of high priced electronics. Our EMS has saved our electronics numerous time. It will not even allow power into the RV unless it is adequate. Why not use the 50 amp. You can run anything you want in your RV with a 50 amp hook up.

manderson2228 · 09-02-2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpharley

In my opinion, an EMS is an essential piece of equipment for any RV. It offers much more protection than a surge protector and is basically low cost protection for lots of high priced electronics. Our EMS has saved our electronics numerous time. It will not even allow power into the RV unless it is adequate. Why not use the 50 amp. You can run anything you want in your RV with a 50 amp hook up.

Which one do you recommend?

Obviously if i have the choice between a 30a or a 50a hookup i would take the 50a but if i am stuck with only a 30a space it's what i have ya know.