No 30 amp-Will Air Conditioner Run OK

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by 68Triumph

I would also get a time delay fuse for the 15 amp outlet, just in case. You could also shut off the breakers to the other AC draws in the camper.

That's a good idea. Particularly with kids that might think it fun to start up the microwave. Click.

The Coolcat does need 12V at the thermostat to run, so the battery must be charged if the converter circuit is opened at the breaker.

[rawlus]

It's been my experience that the coolcat will run on a household circuit but can put large demand on the wiring between your fuse panel and the camper. I personally would not recommend it as I have felt heavy extension cords heat up and would be concerned about the wiring I really can't see inside the walls....

I tend to only use the coolcat when I have a dedicated 30A line. If less than that I use the roof fan and a very efficient extend-a breeze tabletop fan (12v) which silently pushes quite a volume of air with very low current draw.


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[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Most household outlets are 15 amp rated.
Normal a/c uses 18 amps to start and run 12-14 thereafter depending on how hot it is.
A true 20 amp outlet has one prong vertical and one horizontal.

That's true about a true 20amp outlet, but you can wire a 15amp outlet with 12ga to a 20amp breaker and it will carry it.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

That's true about a true 20amp outlet, but you can wire a 15amp outlet with 12ga to a 20amp breaker and it will carry it.

You are correct as well.

My point was or should have been a lot of people think a household outlet is 20 amp.

[TURBS]

Here.

[mlsa3]

Thanks for all the replies. Change of plans here. Family decided it wouldn't be a great idea for them to stay in the camper with it sitting in our front driveway without one of us sleeping with them.

So they get to stay in the house tonight after the movies and I'll probably set the camper up tomorrow and let them play in it with the fan going and no AC.

[kkin]

Originally Posted by wmtire

This never hurts, and is good advice. As an aside kinda off-topic thing...if anyone does take this route, we keep a handy pdf file in the FAQ section here on Forest River Forums on how to properly wire a 120 volt 30 amp outlet for RV's. It is a sticky there.

We have had many an electrician wire it incorrectly for 240 volts. This pdf is good to print out, and hand out, to make sure.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...let-27223.html

Thanks for posting!! I have an electrician friend who I was going to talk with about a dedicated 30 amp at home and I am very glad to have this first!

[RamblerGuy]

I think someone at an RV park had the same problem with the 20 amp breaker tripping. Fortunately we were using the adjacent 30 amp service. I would not have used the 20 amp in this pedestal.

[mickrock]

your test setup works with the koolcat, so, as long as you have a heavy duty extension cord going to the camper(14 gauge or better), and you don't run the microwave oven at the same time, it should work.

There are breakers for protection.

[bignate2k1]

My $0.02 - don't do this. I did for a while with no issue. Then, I smelled smoke one day. Checked it out and found the outlet in garage was MELTED! Didn't trip the breaker OR trip the gfi outlet I was using either - just melted it. Not good. Will never do this again.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

I think someone at an RV park had the same problem with the 20 amp breaker tripping. Fortunately we were using the adjacent 30 amp service. I would not have used the 20 amp in this pedestal.

That is the equivalent of replacing a fuse with a penny. It may work, for a while, but you may not live to tell anyone.

[rawlus]

Originally Posted by bignate2k1

My $0.02 - don't do this. I did for a while with no issue. Then, I smelled smoke one day. Checked it out and found the outlet in garage was MELTED! Didn't trip the breaker OR trip the gfi outlet I was using either - just melted it. Not good. Will never do this again.

This.

Have seen similar things happen where a breaker did not trip.


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[pgandw]

Originally Posted by mickrock

your test setup works with the koolcat, so, as long as you have a heavy duty extension cord going to the camper(14 gauge or better), and you don't run the microwave oven at the same time, it should work.

There are breakers for protection.

Thanks very much for this thread. We bought our A122 new this spring, but never had a site with electric until this past weekend.

I wanted to test the Cool-Cat before we went camping where we had electric and were going to need the air conditioning.

I really didn't want to wire in a 30 amp service to the finished garage. So I tried the Cool-Cat with the 20 amp plug and a heavy duty extension cord (14 gauge for weed-eaters). Worked like a champ, ran the Cool-Cat for several hours to verify good operation. Extension cord got slightly warm (about 80 degrees), but never more than that.

Had a great weekend camping at Lathrop State Park (Walsenburg, CO) using AC during the 90 degree days.

Fred W

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by pgandw

So I tried the Cool-Cat with the 20 amp plug and a heavy duty extension cord (14 gauge for weed-eaters). Fred W

Fred, 14 gauge is not enough for 20 amps. It is only rated for 15 amps.
You really (I mean really) need to invest in a good 12 gauge extension cord that is actually rated for 20 amps.

Your voltage drop during compressor kick off must be huge. You will burn up your compressor windings in short order with your "work around".

(Voltage down; amps up) - since it takes several seconds for the 20 amp circuit breaker to blow, the chance of fire due to your undersize extension cord is also very high.

Not saying this to scare you (but it should), I have nothing invested in making this post. Take it as the free advice it is.

DO check it out though. You are taking a big risk with that under sized cord (IMO).

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

You really (I mean really) need to invest in a good 12 gauge extension cord that is actually rated for 20 amps.

I second this. The voltage drop problem is amplified if the distance of the wire run from the breaker box is fairly long, even on a 20 amp circuit. In fact a 12 gauge cord is a good idea for running a high amp motor in a yard tools at a distance from any plug. Even those that draw less the 15 amps.

Check out harbor freight.

[pgandw]

I appreciate all the concerns.

I knew what I was doing, and the risks I was taking. As was pointed out, the Cool Cat in the A122 is a 9K BTU unit, not a 13.5K BTU. Current draw running is estimated at less than 10 amps (compressor startup is more). If the estimates are accurate, the Cool Cat probably draws less than the microwave.

My goal was to test the air conditioning before I was trying to use it for the 1st time on a camping trip. I did so successfully while monitoring the extension cord for signs of overheating. The likelihood of running the air conditioning at home on a regular basis is pretty low, considering our house does not have air conditioning (we live at 7600ft elevation with low humidity).

And if I did use the air conditioning again on a 20 amp circuit, I would use the heavier (12 gauge) extension cord I bought exclusively for the camper (should an extension cord be needed). It is very comforting to know the air conditioning or microwave (not both together) will work on a 20 amp circuit.

Fred W
2014 A122
2008 Hyundai Entourage (w/ Equalizer WDH)

[Pooneil]

Sounds like you are good to go.

[Pooneil]

I camped at Brazos Bend State Park (Texas) last night. We were in the screen shelters area. I connected my 30 amp cable through a dogbone adapter to a 25 foot 12 gauge cord to the 20 amp service. I was able to use the Coolcat and the microwave at the same time without issue. I checked the cord a few times, it was about the same warmth as the air temperature, which is to say between 80 and 100 F.

[Nessmuk]

Have had my new A122TH home just a few days and have been running the Cool Cat A/C on a 20 amp plug and 50 foot extension cord without issue.

[Pooneil]

I ran both the AC and the microwave at the same time from a 20 amp connection the other weekend. The light in the oven dimmed noticeably when the compressor cut in while the microwave was running. But it ran all weekend with the voltage meter reading 120V the times I checked.