Is 30 amps enough for full timers

[wildtoad]

What amperage is the breaker at the service box you plug into? Won't that be the limiting factor?

After further reading ...nevermind!

[Not a Clue]

We have 30amp and can run two A/C at the same time. We cannot however, run 2 A/C's and the microwave at the same time. Our EMS handles it by shutting off the bedroom air until the microwave quits and then turns it back on. We have a small coach but the A/C works very well in it.

[Gbob]

If you are going to be full timing in South Texas in the summer make sure you have enough cooling capacity to overcome our hotter than Depot Stove afternoons it may take two A/C units which I think will mean having 50 amp unit. It’s no fun having to live in an RV you can’t get cool. I am just getting back into RVing my self so be careful about my advice.

[bjsheldon]

Originally Posted by Webetravelin

Greetings
We are really new to all that is RVing but that's not slowing us down. Looks like we found a 32ft class A rig we're going to buy. It's 30amp ... with today's electrically needs - is that enough? We are planning to living in this rig full time.
We will have to work our first few years ... so how do full timers handle the need to iron clothes... is 30 amps enough? We will probably be in south south deep south TX with the heat and all... with A/C running can we run other appliances as needed?
Thanks for any insight on these questions.
WeBeTravelin

Most 30 amp rigs have either a manual switch to choose the front OR the rear AC unit or an energy management system that will cycle things for you. The microwave is the other big culprit in energy use, so you just need to understand what you can and can't use at the same time. It won't take you long to figure it out as if you use to much, a circuit breaker will blow and need to be reset. You can't hurt things as the coach was designed to handle 30 amps and using more is protected. Have fun and enjoy your rig.

[Clay L]

Originally Posted by Not a Clue

We have 30amp and can run two A/C at the same time. We cannot however, run 2 A/C's and the microwave at the same time. Our EMS handles it by shutting off the bedroom air until the microwave quits and then turns it back on. We have a small coach but the A/C works very well in it.

Same here - we can definitely run two ACs at the same time.

The energy management system (EMS) will allow both to run at the same time but if both try to start up at exactly the same time it will delay the start of the rear one until the front AC initial high start-up current has dropped to the lower running current. It then allows the rear AC to start.

When you start to exceed a 30 amp draw - as when you start a microwave and have both ACs running - it will turn things off in this order.
Rear AC compressor
Rear AC fan
Refrigerator

In seven years of full timing we have had no problem with having 30 amp service.

[Its Paid For]

Same advice as everyone else, as a habit I just turn off AC while microwave is on, even though 90% of the time it won't trip breaker. However wife is notorious at flipping on 10 lights, 2 TV's, hair dryer etc the minute I use the microwave. Lol

Same goes with shower, right when I get in seems to be the perfect time to do dishes. Grrrr Brrrrrr

[Irover]

I have a 28' Class C with 30 amp and have learned to ask for a shady site if I am staying extended periods of time. The cooler you keep the exterior the cooler the interior. I have also used the white Koolseal roof coating. This camper has an aluminum roof so reflects heat quite well. Happy Trails! Irover

[Its Paid For]

Just to give you an example of possibilities, I just turned on the following as a test.

12 lights
2 TV's
Dish Network
Computer
Plugged in Laptop
2 space heaters
100 watt incandescent bulb in bay where water comes into rig.
2 electric blankets on 2 setting
Water Heater on electric
Turned on microwave for 5 mins to heat dinner.

No problems at all. In Summer with AC on I can do the same thing, but it is AC or Microwave as on certain days it trips breaker. Tripping breaker is not harmful, just annoying. If recording with dish have to wait 5 minutes to reaquire signal. Who knows how much time was left on microwave, now have to guess, that's about it.

[RustyJC]

If you have a choice between 30 and 50 amp service, I'd suggest that having more than you need is preferable to needing more than you have. Go for the 50 amp.

Rusty

[Tha_Rooster]

Back in 1998 I had a sun cruiser with 30 amps 15 for either front or rear air not both at the same time and 15 for everything else not good on a hot day still had a lot of good family time. So running 2 airs there's not much left for ironing and everything else you might have to just pick and choose at certain times.

[RJay]

I agree that a 30 service is adequate but when your a fulltimer conveniences mean a lot. I've been fulltiming for 5 years and I would not recommend doing it with a 30 amp service. Why start your new adventure at a disadvantage.

[Its Paid For]

Your location makes a big difference too though. I'm at 6,800 ft in Colorado with full shade being surrounded by trees. AC is less important than most locations.

[w6pea]

WeBeTravelin,

My RV is 30 amp. Works good for us. We only have one A/C, we can run the A/C and run the Microwave, coffee pot at the same time. works for us.

I would recommend if you buy this RV and it's 30amp. that you purchase a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter, we went to an Elks Lodge and their Power Pedestals were 50 amp.

You can't have enough extension cords.

[ZephyrKnight]

If you are truly going to be "full-timers" I think you will find the 30 Amp setup is not going to cut the conditions you can/will find yourselves in...IMHO. If there is a way to buy one with 50 Amps, personally, I'd go with the 50...especially if I was full-timing...which will be the case in five (short) years.

Just my 2-cents worth