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Old 09-17-2016, 08:19 PM   #1
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OK to use household power?

When I plug my fifth wheel into my household current (120v 15amp) will it charge my battery? I lease so I don't have the option to change the outlet in the garage. Thanks for the help.
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Old 09-17-2016, 08:22 PM   #2
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Definitely. I plug mine in to cool the fridge down before we load it for a trip.


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Old 09-17-2016, 08:33 PM   #3
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Yes , It should be fine just do not try to run the AC.


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Old 09-17-2016, 08:36 PM   #4
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Yes you can use 15 amp service to charge your battery. When you first connect the 120 volt supply, the battery charger will usually draw the most current. After a few hours (as the battery becomes mostly charged), the current draw will decrease. I suggest not trying to run the fridge on 120 volts for those first few hours, because you may draw too much current for both it and the charger.
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Old 09-17-2016, 08:58 PM   #5
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neither the fridge or charging of batteries uses much power at all. Mine stays plugged in all camping season. Never draws more than 3 amps
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Old 09-17-2016, 09:02 PM   #6
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Yes , It should be fine just do not try to run the AC.


I have not had any issue running my 13,500 BTU ac on my 15 amp circuit on a 100 foot extension cord.
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Old 09-17-2016, 09:03 PM   #7
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neither the fridge or charging of batteries uses much power at all. Mine stays plugged in all camping season. Never draws more than 3 amps
Yes, when plugged in with fridge running and converter keeping battery charged I see an average of 3 amps draw.
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Old 09-18-2016, 07:55 AM   #8
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I have not had any issue running my 13,500 BTU ac on my 15 amp circuit on a 100 foot extension cord.
You will. It is hard on the compressor running low voltage
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Old 09-18-2016, 07:59 AM   #9
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You will. It is hard on the compressor running low voltage
No doubt. Lots of voltage lost through that long of a small cord. Just because it's running now doesn't mean it's OK.
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Old 09-18-2016, 08:10 AM   #10
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One thing I have not seen mentioned is yes your house current will supply power to run the converter to charge the batteries provided your (if you have it) battery disconnect is in the connected position.
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Old 09-18-2016, 08:12 AM   #11
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I tried running my AC on a 20 amp plug from my garage with the 30 amp cord and an adaptor. Later I found the wall outlet and adaptor burned. The weakest point couldn't handle the large draw and it didn't blow the breaker.
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Old 09-18-2016, 12:52 PM   #12
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Heck yes
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Old 09-18-2016, 01:02 PM   #13
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I have not had any issue running my 13,500 BTU ac on my 15 amp circuit on a 100 foot extension cord.
You are playing with fire. You most likely are dramatically shortening the life of your compressor. I would at the very least check your voltage with a meter while it is running. Check back with that voltage reading.
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Old 09-18-2016, 01:34 PM   #14
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You are playing with fire. You most likely are dramatically shortening the life of your compressor. I would at the very least check your voltage with a meter while it is running. Check back with that voltage reading.
I concur. Be concerned if the voltage is below 110 volts under load. Be sure the extension is at least 12 guage.
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Old 09-18-2016, 02:58 PM   #15
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I have not had any issue running my 13,500 BTU ac on my 15 amp circuit on a 100 foot extension cord.
Mine and my neighbors blows if we plug it in and run air. I don't understand how you can.
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Old 09-18-2016, 03:04 PM   #16
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Mine and my neighbors blows if we plug it in and run air. I don't understand how you can.
My garage was added to the house in the 70s, and has a 100 amp subpanel with 4 15 to 30 amp edison fuses. I use 20 amp fuses, but they are the slow-blow kind mind for circuits with refrigerators and stuff. So, that might be what it is.
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Old 09-18-2016, 03:14 PM   #17
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I have not had any issue running my 13,500 BTU ac on my 15 amp circuit on a 100 foot extension cord.
Yet! Youroo!! You said 15A! Now it is a "Modified Circuit"?
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Old 09-18-2016, 03:14 PM   #18
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Mine and my neighbors blows if we plug it in and run air. I don't understand how you can.
I had no problems doing this before I put in the 50A this year. Shorter, heavier extension cord and no problems. When I installed the EMS on this trailer, I ran my 15K unit plugged in the same way just to see what it was and it showed about 109 - 111V pulling around 13A. Specs on the AC I believe were 106 - 123V.
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:01 PM   #19
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Mine and my neighbors blows if we plug it in and run air. I don't understand how you can.
His might be a 20 amp breaker and not be aware of it. They are often used on circuits even though the outlet is a conventional 15 amp. Only way to tell is to check the breaker. But the same concern for voltage drop still exists.
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:58 PM   #20
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Yet! Youroo!! You said 15A! Now it is a "Modified Circuit"?
Sorry, I walked out to the garage and checked. I was wrong, it was 20 amp, not 15 amp time-delay fuses. LUGOISMAD!!!!!

Sorry I'm not perfect!
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