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Old 07-27-2015, 08:56 AM   #1
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Roof top air conditioner

Hi
Recently I was camping at a campsite with hydro hookup. It was very hot and I went to turn on my AC but it didn't work. The only sound was a low hum when I turned it on and the breaker would trip. I have a 30 amp adapter (1 foot) coming from my trailer which connects to a regular extension cord and then into another small adapter that goes into the camp hydro. Is it possible, because of my current setup, I am not getting enough power to run the AC.?
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Old 07-27-2015, 09:09 AM   #2
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Are you saying you are only hooked up to 15 amp?
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Old 07-27-2015, 09:27 AM   #3
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Your camper needs to be hooked to a 30 amp supply in order to get the AC to work. I guessing you have a 30amp shore power cord. Not sure what a hydro hook up is. Later RJD
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Old 07-27-2015, 10:51 AM   #4
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By hydro hookup I mean the hydro box located at the campsite. There are outlets for 30 amp and 15 amp
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Old 07-27-2015, 10:51 AM   #5
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Your camper needs to be hooked to a 30 amp supply in order to get the AC to work. I guessing you have a 30amp shore power cord. Not sure what a hydro hook up is. Later RJD
Eh, hydro is what our friends from Canada call the electricity lines.
Yes, sounds as if he is using an adapter to a 15 amp circuit.
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Old 07-27-2015, 10:51 AM   #6
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Shouldn't the fan still run using 15 amp?
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Old 07-27-2015, 10:54 AM   #7
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Shouldn't the fan still run using 15 amp?
Have you checked the voltage @ the hydro pole?
How big and how long is your ext cord?

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Old 07-27-2015, 10:55 AM   #8
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The fan may run, but you will have to set the thermostat to fan only. Once the AC tries to start the compressor it will over draw the 15 amp circuit and kick it off.


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Old 07-27-2015, 11:34 AM   #9
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If I understand, you're using a 30->15 adapter at the post; a 15A cord in the middle, then a 15->30 adapter at the trailer... You're overloading the 15A cord you're using the the middle. It's actually a pretty dangerous setup you have there.

Guessing the A/C compressor wasn't getting enough voltage to start, and was locking up... That's bad for the motor.

Without getting way into it - the smaller the wire, the more resistance; the more resistance, the greater the voltage drop. You also heat up the wire, which creates a risk of damage, or even fire...

Getting a 30A extension is the proper solution - or if you're going to use a 15A cord, don't use the 30-15 adapter, and plug into the 15A outlet at the post. At least then the breaker is properly sized, and will protect the cord. And if you are using a 15A cord, with or without the adapter, don't use the A/C - you're overloading the cord.
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Old 07-27-2015, 11:42 AM   #10
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Have you checked the voltage @ the hydro pole?
How big and how long is your ext cord?

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Cord is 25feet. Standard 15 amp cord.
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Old 07-27-2015, 11:43 AM   #11
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If I understand, you're using a 30->15 adapter at the post; a 15A cord in the middle, then a 15->30 adapter at the trailer... You're overloading the 15A cord you're using the the middle. It's actually a pretty dangerous setup you have there.

Guessing the A/C compressor wasn't getting enough voltage to start, and was locking up... That's bad for the motor.

Without getting way into it - the smaller the wire, the more resistance; the more resistance, the greater the voltage drop. You also heat up the wire, which creates a risk of damage, or even fire...

Getting a 30A extension is the proper solution - or if you're going to use a 15A cord, don't use the 15-30 adapter, and plug into the 15A outlet at the post. At least then the breaker is properly sized, and will protect the cord. And if you are using a 15A cord, with or without the adapter, don't use the A/C - you're overloading the cord.
Good to know. Will try that next time. Thanks for the information.
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Old 07-27-2015, 11:44 AM   #12
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Cord is 25feet. Standard 15 amp cord.
If voltage at hydro pole is less then 110v you'll have issues.
If your ext cord is 14ga or 16ga as well you'll likely have issues.

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Old 07-27-2015, 11:47 AM   #13
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Not going to work. When you are plugged in other things are also on and you will not have enough amps for the a/c to start up. And it dangerous. Get a good 20 amp extension cord and maybe it might work, or might not.
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Old 07-27-2015, 11:48 AM   #14
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Sounds like your shore power cord is to short, buy a 30amp extension cord made for this application. Or reposition camper.

CG are so inconsistent to placing power hook ups. I found with my new camper my 50 amp cord was shorter than my previously 30 amp TT. I guess FR thinks making there 50 amp shorter easier to handle but where they place the connection to the tt it is not the best location and ends up short mostt of the time so had to buy the extension. Later RJD
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Old 07-27-2015, 12:04 PM   #15
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The standard 15 amp extension cord is 16 or 18 gauge way to small to run an RV. A rv 30 amp cord is at least 10 gauge. Since the hydro (electric pole) has both 15 amp and 30 amp use the 30 amp cord that came with the camper and you will not have a problem.
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Old 07-27-2015, 01:10 PM   #16
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The standard 15 amp extension cord is 16 or 18 gauge way to small to run an RV. A rv 30 amp cord is at least 10 gauge. Since the hydro (electric pole) has both 15 amp and 30 amp use the 30 amp cord that came with the camper and you will not have a problem.
Attached is a pic of the adaptor from the camper. The 30 amp cords are quite expensive. Just wondering, what if I were to cut the adaptor and add a wire between, would that work? What gauge wire would I need? Just a shot in the dark, not sure if it is even possible.
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Old 07-27-2015, 01:17 PM   #17
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Attached is a pic of the adaptor from the camper. The 30 amp cords are quite expensive. Just wondering, what if I were to cut the adaptor and add a wire between, would that work? What gauge wire would I need? Just a shot in the dark, not sure if it is even possible.
Possible? Yes...

But for the price of 10/3 SJ or SO - which is the right cable to use for the cord, and the proper fittings, boxes, connectors, etc to do it right... you're cheaper to buy a proper one.

25 foot RV cord is $50 at Walmart; if you need one "now" - and can find them cheaper online, if you can wait a bit for it to show up.
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Old 07-27-2015, 01:24 PM   #18
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Possible? Yes...

But for the price of 10/3 SJ or SO - which is the right cable to use for the cord, and the proper fittings, boxes, connectors, etc to do it right... you're cheaper to buy a proper one.

25 foot RV cord is $50 at Walmart; if you need one "now" - and can find them cheaper online, if you can wait a bit for it to show up.
Thanks. Will check Walmart.
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Old 07-27-2015, 01:29 PM   #19
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I concur with ontariofirefighter. From your picture it looks like you have a 30 amp male on the end of you dog bone going to the RV with a twist lock plug on the other end. Buy a 30 amp RV extension cord with a male on one end and female on the other end. Remove the 30 to 15 adapter and old ext cord from the dog bone. Plug your new rv ext cord into the dog bone directly and plug the other end into the 30 hydro on the pole. You are then properly wired and everything in the RV should now work much better.
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Old 07-27-2015, 01:32 PM   #20
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I concur with ontariofirefighter. From your picture it looks like you have a 30 amp male on the end of you dog bone going to the RV with a twist lock plug on the other end. Buy a 30 amp RV extension cord with a male on one end and female on the other end. Remove the 30 to 15 adapter and old ext cord from the dog bone. Plug your new rv ext cord into the dog bone directly and plug the other end into the 30 hydro on the pole. You are then properly wired and everything in the RV should now work much better.
Great idea
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