Air conditioner??

[John clements]

If I have my pop up plugged into my house using a 12 gauge extension cord is it ok to run my ac unit ?

[Scubanut]

Likely PPP your breaker unless your on a 30 amp circuit


2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)

[jgahlhoff]

First of all welcome. You must look at the outlet and breaker to see what amp it is. Next is their other items plugged into the same breaker. I have a 20 amp and can run my ac as long as nothing else is on the same circuit . You might look to see your ac size and amps usage. Hope it makes sense.

[Scubanut]

Good point about the AC size. I just naturally assumed that it was at least a 13,500 btu. I have had two trailers with the 13,500 and have had no luck running them well on either a 15 or 20 amp circuit. Even with no other load on them on a dedicated circuit they still would trip. I even tried a hard start capacitor to help.


2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)

[gruss01]

I can run mine on the 20 amp in the garage. 13.5K unit. Give it a shot. I will admit I only did it once to test it, and made sure nothing else was on the same circuit at the time..

[nineoaks2004]

Be careful using the 12 Ga cord, you could end up with a voltage drop and cause the compressor to overheat. You did not state how long the cord it, (the longer it is the more voltage drop)

[swimmarz]

I used the dogbone and plugged into a 20 amp outlet on the side of my garage, my coleman mach 8 fired up and cooled the unit down with no issues.
just make sure the outlet is the only one on that breker, I have seen some where the garage door opener and the wall outlets are the same circuit and it becomes an issue when running the door up or down and having the AC on.
other than that you should be good to go.

my unit is a 2016 and has all LED lights on it, and i had the fridge off, and knew the battery was fully charged before doing this.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by swimmarz

I used the dogbone and plugged into a 20 amp outlet on the side of my garage, my coleman mach 8 fired up and cooled the unit down with no issues.
just make sure the outlet is the only one on that breker, I have seen some where the garage door opener and the wall outlets are the same circuit and it becomes an issue when running the door up or down and having the AC on.
other than that you should be good to go.

my unit is a 2016 and has all LED lights on it, and i had the fridge off, and knew the battery was fully charged before doing this.

A lot of this depends on how long your 12 ga extension is. The dogbone I've seen are 30A to 15A. which could be an issue, even if you are on a 20A or better circuit. That dogbone @15A is 14 ga. wire. If, after 10 minutes of running, run your hand along the cord to the dog bone and either side of it. Can you feel a temperature difference in the cable? If so,... This is also a really good indicator when at the CG power post to your TT power cord as well. I've seen circuit breakers at the CGs that should have been replaced and won't deliver 30A or 120 vac plus. Especially the case in this hot weather when everybody wants to fire up the AC you'll be lucky to have 110 vac available to you

[swimmarz]

when i said i used the dog bone, I intended to write or include that i used the RV cord to a dog bone, no extension cord was needed.
you are correct about heat build up.
I know the outlet is a 20 amp as i ran the wires to it and changed the breaker in the box, now that i have the RV, ill change it to a 30 amp and change the plug to take the 30 amp RV connector, no dog bone required.

[Crockett]

with a popup Im assuming a 9000btu. prolly good for 50 feet with a 12ga and minimal additional loads

[swimmarz]

Originally Posted by Crockett

with a popup Im assuming a 9000btu. prolly good for 50 feet with a 12ga and minimal additional loads

mine is a 13.5 Coleman mach 8

[Crockett]

Originally Posted by swimmarz

mine is a 13.5 Coleman mach 8

better stay 10 then...

[waiter21]

You may be at the limit - Give it a shot - Fell the plugs after the A/C has been running for an hour. If they fell hot. you probably need to re-do the plugs and connectors.

I use mine at home, but I can't run anything else when I run the A/C

[61cubby]

Have run my Coleman Mach unit 13,500 BTU using 12ga 100ft 20 amp circuit. Did not get warm on the outlet or plug end after running all day. Ran TV inside as well. Unit cooled as it should but did not use micro or fridge.

[Evereddie]

The bottom line is what is the actual voltage with it running. If 104 or lower best to stop it from running and beef something up. Running the unit on too low a voltage will cause overheating and premature failure.

[Crockett]

Id prolly tap out at 108, maybe 106. the 100 footer 12ga prolly wouldnt make it here tomorrow at 113 degrees just run the voltmeter in a plug in the coach and see...