Converter pulling 15 Amps?

[Keith3679]

Is it normal for my converter to pull 15 Amps while charging two low batteries? It popped a 30 Amp breaker when I ran it with my AC, nothing else! Wow!

[ependydad]

Yup. It's on a 20amp circuit. They can work you pretty good!

[A32Deuce]

Water heater, propane or on electric. Reefer on propane or electric. Tv on. Microwave clock, memory. All this adds up pretty quickly. Remember charging batterys is not the only 12 volt draw. All adds up.

[Oaklevel]

Yes it is possible ...........................go here:

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

[Cypressloser]

It mostly depends on the size of your charger and the SOC of the batteries, mine can easily pump 15 Amps AC and more into the batteries if I let it. Check the label or the manual.


Correction: Not 15 Amp AC into the batteries, 150 Amp DC into the batteries.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Keith3679

Is it normal for my converter to pull 15 Amps while charging two low batteries?

It's very normal, especially if the batteries are low. Remember that your converter is not only charging the batteries but it's also providing power to all your other 12 v needs. While that load can vary, nevertheless it has to be added to the overall load on the converter's power source.

This is why so many will complain that their generators can't run their A/C or microwave. They forget that when the generator is started it often has to start charging the batteries and that combined with the starting current of the A/C creates an overload.

Best approach is to avoid running the A/C until the batteries have been charged for a while and the initial charging current has dropped off somewhat.