Running ac on 110volts

K Forbes · 09-23-2021, 12:03 PM

Just a thought regarding running ac. What about starting generator to start the Ac then go to shore power 110 volts then turn off generator to run AC? Is that possible or not possible? I relies is proper to run AC on 30amp.

kenandterry · 09-23-2021, 12:47 PM

Without knowing for sure…….I’m going to say you can’t go from the generator to shore power without a loss of power while the transfer takes place, and therefore the air conditioner, and anything else A.C. powered, would shut down.

I’ll bow to the experts.

llr · 09-23-2021, 12:48 PM

I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish but even if you can switch from gen to shore without disrupting the air. The air will still cycle in normal operation so starting on shore power.

What are you trying to do?

What do you have for shore power? What are the issues with it? If you have a choice you are almost always better off with shore power then a generator.

Tabasco_Joe · 09-23-2021, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Forbes

Just a thought regarding running ac. What about starting generator to start the Ac then go to shore power 110 volts then turn off generator to run AC? Is that possible or not possible? I relies is proper to run AC on 30amp.

Can you describe why you are trying to do this?
Might help understand what you want to accomplish.

**ependydad** · 09-23-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish but even if you can switch from gen to shore without disrupting the air. The air will still cycle in normal operation so starting on shore power.

What are you trying to do?

What do you have for shore power? What are the issues with it? If you have a choice you are almost always better off with shore power then a generator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tabasco_Joe

Can you describe why you are trying to do this?
Might help understand what you want to accomplish.

My guess is they're trying to plug into a 15amp household outlet and the in-rush of current for starting the compressor is tripping the breaker in the house.

OP's idea is to start-up the compressor on generator power and then let the A/C run using 15amp power from their house.

--

All that said, I know the automatic transfer switch can transfer hot loads like that. But I feel it's rough on them and prefer to shut things down before switching from one power source to another.

llr · 09-23-2021, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

All that said, I know the automatic transfer switch can transfer hot loads like that. But I feel it's rough on them and prefer to shut things down before switching from one power source to another.

Also that won't address the cycling, it would only handle the initial start

**ependydad** · 09-23-2021, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

Also that won't address the cycling, it would only handle the initial start

I wondered about that as I wrote it but didn't want to speak out of turn.

CivEngPE · 09-24-2021, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

My guess is they're trying to plug into a 15amp household outlet and the in-rush of current for starting the compressor is tripping the breaker in the house.

OP's idea is to start-up the compressor on generator power and then let the A/C run using 15amp power from their house.

--

All that said, I know the automatic transfer switch can transfer hot loads like that. But I feel it's rough on them and prefer to shut things down before switching from one power source to another.

If this is the case, the best solution, IMHO, would be to install a soft start and ensure minimal voltage drop by using an adequate extension cord.

Cheers!

NavyLCDR · 09-24-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

My guess is they're trying to plug into a 15amp household outlet and the in- that said, I know the automatic transfer switch can transfer hot loads like that. But I feel it's rough on them and prefer to shut things down before switching from one power source to another.

The ATS must interrupt the AC power supply completely, even if only for a fraction of a second. This is to avoid connecting mismatched phases of AC which could cause an electrical explosion.

The only way to truly transfer AC electrical loads while hot is to monitor the phase rotations of both AC power sources and adjust one until it matches the other one, then the AC power sources could be combined. That's how inverter generator parallel connections work - one generator is the master and sets the phase rotation frequency and the parallel circuit adjusts the frequency of the second generator acting as slave until it matches the master and then combines the two.

kenandterry · 09-24-2021, 09:52 AM

The OP hasn’t been back since originally posting.
Maybe it’s not that important after all.

Stand down and relax.

NavyLCDR · 09-24-2021, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenandterry

The OP hasn’t been back since originally posting.
Maybe it’s not that important after all.

Stand down and relax.

You know people other then the OP can benefit from informational discussions. I can't count how many times I've read or seen something that did not apply to me then, but years later I found myself needing that useful information.

**Lincman983** · 09-24-2021, 10:23 AM

At 15 or even 20 amps not much can be used, the refer will take about 8 amps, and the a/c unit can use anywhere from 10-20 amps. So on a 15 amp power supply its already at the load threshold. Here is a little chart with wattage and amperages that might prove useful. I know Berkshires utilize the residential refrigerators, and that particular coach is happy using 50 amp, but can power some appliances while connected to 30A

**ependydad** · 09-24-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivEngPE

If this is the case, the best solution, IMHO, would be to install a soft start and ensure minimal voltage drop by using an adequate extension cord.

Cheers!

Actually, I think the best option would be to install a 30 or 50amp outlet.

Kcoulter · 09-24-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenandterry

The OP hasn’t been back since originally posting.
Maybe it’s not that important after all.

Stand down and relax.

Oh my...they have been off line for almost 24 hours. Call in the FBI...

NavyLCDR · 09-24-2021, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kcoulter

Oh my...they have been off line for almost 24 hours. Call in the FBI...

No need to call the FBI, they are likely already monitoring anyway!

We do hope you found your answer here, though.

DouglasReid · 09-24-2021, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Forbes

Just a thought regarding running ac. What about starting generator to start the Ac then go to shore power 110 volts then turn off generator to run AC? Is that possible or not possible? I relies is proper to run AC on 30amp.

Im just curious as to why you would want to do that

GFD47 · 09-27-2021, 01:31 PM

[QUOTE=CivEngPE;2638656]If this is the case, the best solution, IMHO, would be to install a soft start and ensure minimal voltage drop by using an adequate extension cord.

If the intent of the OP is to stop a breaker from tripping, I agree fully with installing a soft start for more reasons than just that one.

It's also possible that the OP isn't using a dedicated breaker/outlet, such that other household electrical loads are sharing that breaker and even adding a soft start might not be a solution. If using a shared circuit, find one that has almost no other loads and try plugging into that one, with as heavy gage an extension cord as you can obtain.

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