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06-12-2016, 07:36 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 7
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Do I need shore power?
Newbie question here, but I don't recall what the dealer walk through orientation had to say on this and manual doesn't really say....
Our first trip in a couple weeks is to relatives cabin in Houghton Lake, MI
and we are taking our TT. They obviously don't have a 30 amp hook up for us.
So when I get rig set up, Can I open the slide out and the power awning with
the on board battery? Can I leave the TT hooked up to truck with truck running while I perform these open/close tasks to keep the battery charged?
Thanks for your help!
Nitro
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2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd
2016 Coachman Catalina 251RLS
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06-12-2016, 07:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Yes and Yes.
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2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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06-12-2016, 08:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: eastern NC
Posts: 1,783
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you don't have to always have 30amp hookup, if they have 120v, with an adapter plug, you can use a lot of the "stuff" with just 120v, ..... at our home, w/120v, we can run ac, the frig, and all the lights, plus, probably more, we just haven't tried "more"
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06-12-2016, 08:04 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
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You can also get a 15A to 30A adapter ( see photo) and you can plug into the cabin. You should be able to run the water pump, lights, and fridge and keep the battery charged with the converter. You will not be able to use the WH (on electric), AC or microwave if installed.
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06-12-2016, 08:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,748
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It's all about the amp draw. That means no A/C, possibly microwave too. Most everything else, no problem. Just adapt to their 120v outlet and you're good to go.
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06-12-2016, 08:39 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 80
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I remember when 20 amp service was the norm. Back the I could run my ac if I kept the fan on low.
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06-12-2016, 09:37 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 7
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I do have that adapter, but I was just thinking that the slide out motor or awning motor may draw to much amperage from their house and open the breaker, but it sounds like that's not the case. I was aware of not running the ac however as well as microwave. Thanks for the info!
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2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd
2016 Coachman Catalina 251RLS
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06-12-2016, 09:55 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: eastern NC
Posts: 1,783
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as I stated in post #3, we DO run our 13,500 BTU ac, the refrigerator and all the lights on a 20amp circuit and it does not trip the breaker, ..... we leave the refrigerator on all the time, and I run the ac and the lights anytime I'm inside doing a project/mod,...... I've even run a small vacuum cleaner to clean up the mess from a mod, and have never had the breaker trip, ..............
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06-13-2016, 02:40 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Greentown Indiana
Posts: 24
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Sometimes when you are drawing a lot of amperage from a 20 amp circuit the 30amp to 15 amp adapter can get pretty warm. I have seen some that have almost melted. Just be careful how much you are drawing. You need to look at the fuse rating on the house plug you are connecting to as it may be 20 amps which is more than the adapter is designed to handle.
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Ron & Pat
Greentown Indiana
2014 F350
2016 Chaparal 336TSIK
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06-13-2016, 02:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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If you plug into the house use a none GFCI outlet.
The one in your unit and the house will likely not play well with each other.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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06-13-2016, 03:17 PM
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#11
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NitroNut
I do have that adapter, but I was just thinking that the slide out motor or awning motor may draw to much amperage from their house and open the breaker, but it sounds like that's not the case. I was aware of not running the ac however as well as microwave. Thanks for the info!
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Without hooking to anything, the slide out motors and the awning can be used several times from the on board battery without concern for drawing the battery too low.
And yes, you could leave the umbilical cord attached between the tow vehicle and the trailer for peace of mind while using those items.
Once hooked to the cabin's power (through the necessary 30-15 amp adapters) neither the awning or slide will draw enough current to open the cabin's breaker because neither run off 120v.
Remember, the awning and slides run off 12v.
The only thing using household current (shore power) to make either of those work is your converter. It will convert the 120v from the cabin to 12v in your trailer.
The converter can safely be run using the adapters mentioned above.
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06-13-2016, 03:47 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 7
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So, just to clarify, if I just keep camper hooked up to my truck, while I'm opening/closing slide,I'll be ok, correct? Like if I were camping at a rustic campground with no power hook up for instance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd
2016 Coachman Catalina 251RLS
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06-13-2016, 03:50 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 7
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Thank you 5picker, I posted my clarification request before I saw your post explaining exactly what I asked. And thank you all for the input!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd
2016 Coachman Catalina 251RLS
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06-13-2016, 04:05 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NitroNut
So, just to clarify, if I just keep camper hooked up to my truck, while I'm opening/closing slide,I'll be ok, correct? Like if I were camping at a rustic campground with no power hook up for instance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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Yes, your truck will charge the batteries on the trailer if it's hooked up. Or, use the adapter and plug into their 20A outlet. Either way you will be perfectly fine. When you're boondocking with no power, you can just use your truck.
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2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 282BHDS
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Big Horn, 5.7L HEMI
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06-13-2016, 11:24 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,144
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NitroNut
So, just to clarify, if I just keep camper hooked up to my truck, while I'm opening/closing slide,I'll be ok, correct? Like if I were camping at a rustic campground with no power hook up for instance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
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Yes, yes and yes all good advice so far, but batteries would be better versus battery.
Also. Avoid my rookie mistake number 1. Do not assume the truck will charge your battery or batteries in route. The TV is like a big expensive trickle charger, so make sure to plug in for at least 24 hours to top the batteries off before you pullout. Just that you even mention rustic camping cries for you to have two batteries and then at least a Renogy 100 w suitcase as soon as the budget permits.
Happy camping. Tom
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06-13-2016, 11:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NitroNut
I do have that adapter, but I was just thinking that the slide out motor or awning motor may draw to much amperage from their house and open the breaker, but it sounds like that's not the case. I was aware of not running the ac however as well as microwave. Thanks for the info!
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Everything on you trailer runs on the 12 volt battery except: The A/C, Refrigerator when it is on electric, microwave, water heater when it is on electric, television and your convertor which is also used to charge the battery. I would plug it in to a regular 110 outlet if you can. This will allow you to keep your battery charged without running your truck. I wouldn't try and run the A/C as you may have a low voltage situation which could damage it. Run the fridge and water heater on gas, use your lights which are 12 volt and all will be fine.
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2015 Chev Silverado 3500 dually D/A
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06-13-2016, 11:39 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 230
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Your dealer should have supplied you with a 30 to 15 amp adapter for your cord. Just plug into garage or house ( not a gfi plug ) with a 25 ft. Extension cord . Be sure to use a 12/3 or preferably a 10/3 if you are going to use your air cond.
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06-14-2016, 02:34 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hillsdaletc
Your dealer should have supplied you with a 30 to 15 amp adapter for your cord. Just plug into garage or house ( not a gfi plug ) with a 25 ft. Extension cord . Be sure to use a 12/3 or preferably a 10/3 if you are going to use your air cond.
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Why not plug into a GFI? My 19' TT has been plugged in to an exterior GFI outlet for the last year and I have not had any issues. Of course I also don't use the trailer much when it's at home, but I do run the A/C while we are unloading and cleaning. I look forward to any advise on this topic!
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2014 Ford F-150
2015 Apex Nano 193BHS
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06-14-2016, 04:55 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 9,678
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As has been mentioned two GFCI's in the same circuit will not always play well with each other. They say that........ The campers GFCI's will sometime cause the house GFCI to trip. Outlet GFCIs go bad often so yours may or may not be working.
Our house does not have an outside GFCI so I do not have to worry about it.
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2005 Dodge 3500 Cummins
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06-14-2016, 07:51 AM
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#20
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,023
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I just upgraded the batteries on my TT from the little piece of junk that came with it to a pair of 90ah deep cycle marine batteries. After a full weekend of dry camping, they still show as fully charged.
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