Will a house 15A line run my air conditioner?

[ppine]

It is amazing to me that the idea of using a 240 volt power source keeps coming up when it comes to powering travel trailers.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by ppine

It is amazing to me that the idea of using a 240 volt power source keeps coming up when it comes to powering travel trailers.

Aha! Never underestimate the ignorance of the American people.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by ppine

It is amazing to me that the idea of using a 240 volt power source keeps coming up when it comes to powering travel trailers.

Not really understanding this comment as ALL 50 amp travel trailers use a 120/240 volt split phase service.

https://www.rvtechmag.com/electrical/chapter3.php

[5picker]

Originally Posted by ppine

It is amazing to me that the idea of using a 240 volt power source keeps coming up when it comes to powering travel trailers.

Why?
All 50a R/Vs utilize a 240v supply to the R/V.
It is the R/V's power distribution center (breaker box) that keeps the two phases separate and everything operating on 120v.
Not amazing at all.

[Aussieguy]

Aussieland and I think europe use 240v on a single line

awww now I am really confused

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Aussieland and I think europe use 240v on a single line

awww now I am really confused

Yep, 230V at 50 Hz is the standard for EU and AU. They drive on the wrong side of the road too.

Bob

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Aussieland and I think europe use 240v on a single line

awww now I am really confused

History. Electric distribution (and telephony) developed independently in different countries. By the time globalization occurred (when everyone wanted to sell their products in other countries), the local standards were in wide use and no one could practically change. Different voltages, frequencies, and plug/outlet types all over.

The technologies that achieved universal usage were developed after globalization: Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac/ac, GSM, SMS, 3G/4G/5G, USB 1/2/3, all the modem standards after 300 bps, etc.

[ppine]

5picker has eloquently hinted at why people are so confused.
30 amp service one hot leg, neutral and a ground.
50 amp service, 2 hot legs, neutral and a ground.
But RVs do not use 240 volt equipment.

Do some RVs have 240 volt circuits for ovens and dryers?"

[Aussieguy]

on a 50 amp each leg can supply 50amps
= 100amps usable


I ve still got a headache

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by ppine

Do some RVs have 240 volt circuits for ovens and dryers?"

Yes, here a few examples from Camping World

https://www.campingworld.com/furrion...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.campingworld.com/equator...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

on a 50 amp each leg can supply 50amps
= 100amps usable


I ve still got a headache

L1 is electrically 180-degree phase voltage difference than L2. Likewise, the current in each leg is also 180-degree phase difference. For each 50 amp leg to be used to obtain 100 amps, the voltage has to be added.

However, with a 50 amp service, a total of 12,000 watts is available, but not at 100 amps. Only 50 amps per leg maximum.

Bob

[thudd3r]

Can't over emphasize using a good cord. 10ga and as short as possible.

I was reminded this recently as just charging my batteries on a 100' 14ga cord would drive the voltage below the transfer switch cutoff and throw the breaker. Just too much voltage drop between the 15a plug and the RV

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

L1 is electrically 180-degree phase voltage difference than L2. Likewise, the current in each leg is also 180-degree phase difference. For each 50 amp leg to be used to obtain 100 amps, the voltage has to be added.

However, with a 50 amp service, a total of 12,000 watts is available, but not at 100 amps. Only 50 amps per leg maximum.

Bob

Bob is exactly right.
Many folks think they are getting 12,000w/100a of power available throughout but in reality it is 6,000w/50a of power on each leg for a COMBINED TOTAL of 12,000/100a. Anything more than 50a on either leg, trips the mechanically connected double breaker.

[ppine]

Use a 20 amp circuit , 12 gauge wiring. Use an extension cord that is at least 12 ga, 10 ga is much better.

[dedobias]

Originally Posted by Twinboat

Although everybody says you can't go with option #2, if your sons dryer has a NEMA 14-30 R receptacle ( 4 conductor ), you can.
Pickup this adaptor and you can access your full 30 amp service.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT USE THE DRYER OUTLET IT S 240V. 110v/220v hasn't existed for A very long time. Everything is now 120v/240v. Your camper is now 120v only! Your sons dryer will NOT HAVE A NEMA 14-30r outlet unless someone wired the wrong outlet. Electric Dryers never use 120v. If you use that outlet you WILL FRY YOUR TRAILER ELECTRICAL.


Most electric dryers are rated at 240 volt. The nominal voltage is 240 volt, but homes may have 208V, 220V, or 240V power supply. Any appliance that is rated for 240 volts can also be used on a 220V or 208V outlet.

You could add a soft starter and probably use a 12 ga cord safely. Not 14 or 16 ga.

[andyalex]

Just a quick reply with my experience. Yes, I have plugged my 30a, 25fkbs into my garage outlet. The AC worked fine. I did not try to run any other high amp items at the same time.

[gw1800]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

My Roo AC will run off the 120vAC outlet in my garage so yours probably will too but I don't try to run the electric water heater or microwave at the same time.

-- Chuck

Or a coffee pot, or electric space heater.

[dedobias]

Originally Posted by andyalex

Just a quick reply with my experience. Yes, I have plugged my 30a, 25fkbs into my garage outlet. The AC worked fine. I did not try to run any other high amp items at the same time.

To be clear, a 120v outlet.

[dedobias]

The standard voltage in the United States and Canada was changed from 110 volts to 120 volts about 75 years ago, depending on the region. The national standard specifies that the nominal voltage at the source should be 120 volts, with a range of 114–126 volts (RMS).

[dshome]

Originally Posted by Outsider

We're going to my son's in GA in 2 weeks and will be parking our Geo Pro G19FD beside his house to live out of for 3-4 days. The air conditioner in the camper is on a 15 amp breaker so I'm wondering if plugging into a common 15A outside outlet at his house will be supply sufficient current to run it properly. (I remember once last year we had to run the air through a 25 foot 12/2 extension cord to the 15A outlet on a campsite post and the outlet there got somewhat hot.) We will primarily be using the camper to sleep in, may even be showering in his house.


Or, option 2, is there a way I can plug my camper 220 VAC cord into his dryer outlet in his basement and run off of it?


Thanks for your insight.


Outsider.

https://www.microair.net/collections...-soft-starters

Install one of those and you can power most everything.