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04-15-2015, 10:14 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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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.
Thanks
Vince
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04-15-2015, 10:19 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Pincher Creek, AB
Posts: 809
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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..
__________________
Camped: 2023 (Days/Nights) - 34/27
2022 (D/N) - 41/33, 2021 (D/N) - 37/29, 2020 (D/N): 58/49, 2019 (D/N):27/20
TT: 2020 26' Hemisphere 26BHHL
TV: 2020 GMC 2500HD 4x4
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04-15-2015, 10:28 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retired2010
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
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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
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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04-15-2015, 10:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 847
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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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04-15-2015, 10:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retired2010
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
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The answer is (NO) on the A/C with a 15A EX cord! Youroo!!
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04-15-2015, 10:40 AM
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#6
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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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.
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"
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04-15-2015, 10:44 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Here's the difference.
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
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"
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04-15-2015, 10:55 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 847
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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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04-15-2015, 11:01 AM
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#9
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Average Joe
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mechanicsville, MD
Posts: 689
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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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Joe and Karen
2014 Sunseeker 2450sf
Southern Maryland and Beyond!
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04-15-2015, 11:04 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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Thanks to everyone who replied. Guess the wife isn't gonna be happy without AC.
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04-15-2015, 11:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 847
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJoe
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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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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04-15-2015, 11:23 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crockett
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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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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04-15-2015, 11:25 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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What size AC do you have?
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
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04-15-2015, 11:26 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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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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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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04-15-2015, 11:48 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
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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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RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
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04-15-2015, 12:12 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: oakdale, ca
Posts: 292
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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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04-15-2015, 12:15 PM
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#17
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j free
you could always run a small geni during the hot part of the day until it cools off.
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I'd agree!
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"
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04-15-2015, 12:49 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 847
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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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04-15-2015, 12:59 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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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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04-15-2015, 01:02 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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The RV is equipped with a 30A connection. I will be using house current @ 15A
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