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Old 04-15-2015, 10:14 AM   #1
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Plugging into house power

Newbie here. My wife and I will be staying at my son's house for a week or so. We'll be in the drive way. My question is, can I run my air conditioner and other appliances using 15/20 amp circuit? The outlet is approx. 40' away and I'll be using a a 15 amp extension cord.

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Vince
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Old 04-15-2015, 10:19 AM   #2
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The A/C would be a stretch with the fridge on shore power too.. I know my A/C and fridge on my garage plug (15 amp duplex GFI protected) will cause it to trip, and that is with my trailer's power cord plugged in to the adapter with no extension cord..

What size wire does a "15 amp extension cord" use? (ie.. Cheapy orange one, or a heavier duty one).. This will impact the voltage drop to your TT..
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Old 04-15-2015, 10:28 AM   #3
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Newbie here. My wife and I will be staying at my son's house for a week or so. We'll be in the drive way. My question is, can I run my air conditioner and other appliances using 15/20 amp circuit? The outlet is approx. 40' away and I'll be using a a 15 amp extension cord.

Thanks
Vince
Hello Vince, we're all newbies at one time. These articles by Mark Polk may help you understand your electrical systems and why you probably will not want to use the air-conditioner with your driveway setup. He touches on that same scenario you asked about (15/20 amp outlets and the size of the extension cord) in both articles below.


Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

More On Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

and it's also good to understand your converters purpose and the amps it can use:

http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformat...d-amp-draw.asp
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Old 04-15-2015, 10:30 AM   #4
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Might as well get an RV cord and a bakalite adapter. Run your fridge on gas...minimize appliance use for the sake of the AC
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Old 04-15-2015, 10:39 AM   #5
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Newbie here. My wife and I will be staying at my son's house for a week or so. We'll be in the drive way. My question is, can I run my air conditioner and other appliances using 15/20 amp circuit? The outlet is approx. 40' away and I'll be using a a 15 amp extension cord.

Thanks
Vince
The answer is (NO) on the A/C with a 15A EX cord! Youroo!!
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Old 04-15-2015, 10:40 AM   #6
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Very, very rarely is any household outlet 20 amp.
And if it is it will have one plug sideways or a "duel" outlet with both 15 and 20 amp configurations.

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Old 04-15-2015, 10:44 AM   #7
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Here's the difference.
Click image for larger version

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With that being said you'll likely only have 15 amps available.

A/c requires up to 18 amps to start up then runs closer to 12 amps.

Converter can draw from 1 to 8 amps.

A/c 12 amps
Converter @ min 2 amps

Your @ 14 amps not including the electrical loss in a 40' run 15 amp cord

This will help.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html

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Old 04-15-2015, 10:55 AM   #8
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What are your options? Take the car and sleep on the couch? You can always jury rig a 30 amp plug if necessary. Just take the coach and try it. The AC on low doesnt draw as much. 12 amps is more like a max draw. Try it and let us know...
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:01 AM   #9
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I have been plugged into a dedicated 20 amp with no extension cord for a couple years. I can run the A/C, fridge and converter, but little else. I shut off the A/C when I need the microwave or coffee pot. I couldn't imagine trying a 15 amp circuit with an extension cord. Especially if it wasn't dedicated.


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Old 04-15-2015, 11:04 AM   #10
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Thanks to everyone who replied. Guess the wife isn't gonna be happy without AC.
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:13 AM   #11
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I have been plugged into a dedicated 20 amp with no extension cord for a couple years. I can run the A/C, fridge and converter, but little else. I shut off the A/C when I need the microwave or coffee pot. I couldn't imagine trying a 15 amp circuit with an extension cord. Especially if it wasn't dedicated.


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now there you go...20 amp service WITH refer. subtract that 3+ amps and your close with a 15. get the RV cord and the bakalite adapter.
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:23 AM   #12
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now there you go...20 amp service WITH refer. subtract that 3+ amps and your close with a 15. get the RV cord and the bakalite adapter.
Even if they use the (Stock 30'RV cord) they still must buy a (30'RV Cord) to plug into the (40' away) 15A plug! So they have a (60' RV cord)! I say this Because they can Buy a (30' RV cord) Cheaper than (Making up a (10' RV cord ) yourself! Youroo!!
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:25 AM   #13
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What size AC do you have?
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Old 04-15-2015, 11:26 AM   #14
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If you really need it it 'might' be possible to run the A/C.

1) Use an RV 30a extension cord, not a 15a one. Plug in with adapter right to outlet. This will help minimize the line loss.

2) Only run the fridge and hot water on gas. No electric.

3) Using the circuit breakers, shut down all the circuits except the A/C. This especially includes the convertor.

4) To keep your batteries from running down, either:

A) hook them up to a dedicated battery charger. Making sure to plug them into a different circuit than the one your trailer is using.

B) be selective. Only run the A/C during the day when it's hotter and at night turn off the A/C and turn on the convertor. You'll want to monitor to make sure you're using the convertor long enough to get a good charge and replenishing what you used throughout the day.

Note that even with these precautions, you might still end up tripping the house's 15a circuit. As a Turbs pointed out above, startup of the ac's compressor can peak to 18a, which will trip the breakers (if it peaks that high).








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Old 04-15-2015, 11:48 AM   #15
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Don't forget that the outlet you are plugging into may have other things already running on it. If your A/C is running and someone hits the garage door opener, the breaker in the house may trip.

The starting load of the A/C will be the problem. Running the fan on low won't help that.

Some have stated you need a 30 amp cord. What wasn't mentioned is that means 10 awg (gauge) conductors with a ground.
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Old 04-15-2015, 12:12 PM   #16
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you could always run a small geni during the hot part of the day until it cools off.
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Old 04-15-2015, 12:15 PM   #17
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you could always run a small geni during the hot part of the day until it cools off.
I'd agree!

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Old 04-15-2015, 12:49 PM   #18
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60 ft of 10 ga is fine. just start the AC on low to reduce start up loads. the rotaries of today are nothing like the start up loads of the piston compressors. I like the idea of a battery charger supplement off a different circuit. chill the coach in the morning to help it through the day if possible. if not, visit family and see sights during the day and cool it at night. Personally Id check the circuit for 12ga wire and bump the breaker to 20 amp if necessary but there is NO WAY I could advise that here...
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Old 04-15-2015, 12:59 PM   #19
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Before I would Buy a Gen that would power A/C$$! I would have a (Cert.For RV Elect. and Home Electrician) run a 30A RV outlet for the RV! Youroo!! No Guesswork /Safe/ and Mama has A/C!
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Old 04-15-2015, 01:02 PM   #20
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The RV is equipped with a 30A connection. I will be using house current @ 15A
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