50 amp service..Yes or No...

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by paverdave

Thanks for the feedback....I ran some numbers and decided to add the second AC unit for $700.00...here is what I came up with

Extra Maxxair bedroom...$210.00 Don't need now with second AC..
2nd AC prep..................$250.00 Included in AC price
15k AC upgrade.............$125.00 Stayed with 13.5 AC

$700.00 for second AC
$585.00 Savings

So for $115.00 difference its a know brainer....Thanks for the input......Dave.

Excellent decision.

[ScottBrownstein]

Generally both 13,000 and 15,000 BTU RV AC units take more than 15 maps, recommended breaker is 20.

[formerFR]

agreed, many will have the larger a/c units and require the larger 20a breaker...

my advice is really that many people just 'assume' that what they've 'heard' is fact, but have not in practice tried to do it themselves. if you try to run both and your coach breakers and shore power can not handle both, then a breaker will trip. if not, you may find that you may have some possibilities you might have assumed you didn't.

though, I will admit something else of interest when it comes to 'running two ac units on 30a supply': my understanding about breakers is that they don't trip due to Amperage, as we might assume since they are 'rated' for such, but that they trip due to HEAT, specifically the temperature of the wire.
in cold weather, you might actually have more 'real' amps of usage before a breaker trips, than when in hot weather where the coach, and wiring, may already be heated because of the surrounding ambient temperature.

we have experienced this several times in the past, in Texas, during heat waves. normally you could run both a/c units at the same time with no problems, but because of the additional surrounding heat, and within the breaker box, a breaker would trip infrequently without much additional usage anywhere else in the coach, which is aggravating... but now understandable.... and that's with 50a service.

[BandJCarm]

I can't spell electricity. I am truly ignorant of it, except knowing how to check a breaker.

GET A P.I. EMS SYSTEM! Then, even if you screw up as often as I do, and do the wrong thing, nothing bad will happen other than you doing without whatever you tried to turn on!!!

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

GET A P.I. EMS SYSTEM!...

That is not going to help with 2 ACs, unless you want it to shut down one over the other. 2 ACs is still going to be more than 20 amps.

[BandJCarm]

It's not going to help make anything run.

But all this talk of "I can run this" and "You can't run that", and I'm just giving my opinion that an EMS plugged in will at least stop you from making the mistake of running too many items at once and causing trailer wiring damage.

[Egghead]

I totally agree no questions asked. We just ordered a 2906 WS and that was part of our deal. We worked with the dealer and got the 2nd AC and the 50 amp. I wanted it done at the factory. It just made me feel better because they do it every day.

[brusso]

I have a toy hauler with 1 a.c. and it's 30 amp. Like others have stated you have to watch what you turn on when ac is running.
Just bought a 38el with 3 a.c. units, 50 amp and it came with a power management system that sheds power depending on if on 30 or 50 amp.
The P I EMS is more to protect your rig from electrical issues that come from the campground wiring. I have one on the 30 amp toy hauler and 50 amp 38el. They are about $100, and well worth the money.

[ScottBrownstein]

brusso is right. There are EMSs and there are EMSs. Unfortunately both Progressive Industries and Intellitec use the same name, "EMS" for two totally different devices. The PI unit goes between your RV and the power source and monitors frequency, grounds, voltage and such and cuts out if those parameter go beyond preset limits. You can go out and buy one and just hook it up, but it passive and either powers the RV or cuts out.

The Intellitec unit is build into the RV at time of manufacture. It is active and continually manages your loads (reefer, HW, AC units) and sheds loads when required to keep your loads below the supplied current. It handles two sub 10 amp loads directly (reefer, HWH, microwave) and handles two large loads (ACs) using relays to power and unpower the thermostats.

In fact, if you have something like 5 breakers or more in a 30 amp RV, a real EMS unit or one like this is required to meet the National Electrical Code for recreational vehicles. Without it the panel has to have 4 breakers or less. (can't find the code section right now but there is a breakpoint and I think it is at 5)

[philobeddoe]

If you camp in warm weather, get the 50 amp. Between running the AC and a few other creature comforts, it doesn't take long to overwhelm 30 amp. It's better to have it and not need it, vs. the other way around. Plus, in worse case, you can run a 50 amp camper on 30 amp service.

[Telstar]

why limit yourself, get the 50 amp.

[Pathfinder75]

Think it would be worth while just to have the 50 amp gain over 30 amp for the typical A/C and Microwave or hotplate use which can overload 30 amps. 50 will give you more flexibility. Always able to add second A/C should you find the need in the future. I agree if $250 won't break the bank it would have to be a good thing.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by paverdave

Thanks for the feedback....I ran some numbers and decided to add the second AC unit for $700.00...here is what I came up with

Extra Maxxair bedroom...$210.00 Don't need now with second AC..
2nd AC prep..................$250.00 Included in AC price
15k AC upgrade.............$125.00 Stayed with 13.5 AC

$700.00 for second AC
$585.00 Savings

So for $115.00 difference its a know brainer....Thanks for the input......Dave.

Friends, the OP has received enough information to make his decision. As he wrote, "Thanks for the input......Dave."

[Steveboe]

Your one AC will be over worked in the hottest weather.
When you walk into a hot Rv with one Ac, it takes a very long time to make it comfortable. Two is much better.
Work on the cost of the second one installed.
Max air won't help when it's 90+ outside.

[mud yapster]

Yes put the 50 amp service in, why would you limit yourself. I can tell you if you camp in warmer climates like we do you will need both A/C units running all the time! If you don't you'll wish you did later.

[Seasonal]

Originally Posted by paverdave

Thanks for the feedback....I ran some numbers and decided to add the second AC unit for $700.00...here is what I came up with

Extra Maxxair bedroom...$210.00 Don't need now with second AC..
2nd AC prep..................$250.00 Included in AC price
15k AC upgrade.............$125.00 Stayed with 13.5 AC

$700.00 for second AC
$585.00 Savings

So for $115.00 difference its a know brainer....Thanks for the input......Dave.

Well done...

[Bob.n.Denise]

Good topic! Now that Op has decided, would like to jump into conversation with related question.

We are finalizing spec’ing our 2017 2703 WS. Will special order next week.

After some debate, we decided to order it with the 2nd roof AC and 50 amp service. Wife likes it cold!

We also elected to add the 2 optional Extra Maxxair vents and covers (bedroom and living room) to augment the standard Extra Maxxair vent and cover near the bathroom.

Is that total overkill? Want to keep the 2703 WS cool (65 degrees) in any location.

Thoughts?

[mikel68]

We've had a travel trailer, two fifth wheels and now a motorhome. The previous three were 30 amp. We had an option for 50 on the last 5th wheel we had. We opted for 30. Nothing was too horrible. But like others have said, you have to pick and choose what you run at times. You will occasionally pop a breaker as well.

Over all it was okay. But now with the 50 two A/Cs running simultaneously, TV, and everything else. No problems. at all.

[paverdave]

Bob.n.Denise... Congrats on new trailer....quite a decision on figuring out all the options and colors..When deciding on AC or Maxxair in bedroom, it was either one or the other..not both...We ordered ours on Jan. 24th and have called twice changing things...Keep looking on youtube seeing what the different colors and options look like....Good Luck...Dave

[WFD]

Originally Posted by Bob.n.Denise

Good topic! Now that Op has decided, would like to jump into conversation with related question.

We are finalizing spec’ing our 2017 2703 WS. Will special order next week.

After some debate, we decided to order it with the 2nd roof AC and 50 amp service. Wife likes it cold!

We also elected to add the 2 optional Extra Maxxair vents and covers (bedroom and living room) to augment the standard Extra Maxxair vent and cover near the bathroom.

Is that total overkill? Want to keep the 2703 WS cool (65 degrees) in any location.

Thoughts?

Seems to me if you have 2nd AC in bedroom you wont have a Maxxair in that same room.