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07-27-2015, 08:56 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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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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07-27-2015, 09:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 724
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Are you saying you are only hooked up to 15 amp?
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2019.5 Rockwood 2509S
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07-27-2015, 09:27 AM
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#3
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,470
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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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2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing.(sold) (sold) 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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07-27-2015, 10:51 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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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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07-27-2015, 10:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aceinspp
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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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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2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 281RLDSLE
2018 2500 HD Silverado
Equal-i-zer Hitch E4
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07-27-2015, 10:51 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Shouldn't the fan still run using 15 amp?
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07-27-2015, 10:54 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coryhynes
Shouldn't the fan still run using 15 amp?
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Have you checked the voltage @ the hydro pole?
How big and how long is your ext cord?
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "15 nights"
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07-27-2015, 10:55 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 152
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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.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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07-27-2015, 11:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 175
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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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2014 Grey Wolf 28BH, behind a 2015 F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Nights Camped 2016: 44
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Nights Camped 2017: 6
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07-27-2015, 11:42 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS
Have you checked the voltage @ the hydro pole?
How big and how long is your ext cord?
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "15 nights"
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Cord is 25feet. Standard 15 amp cord.
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07-27-2015, 11:43 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OntarioFireFighter
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.
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Good to know. Will try that next time. Thanks for the information.
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07-27-2015, 11:44 AM
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#12
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coryhynes
Cord is 25feet. Standard 15 amp cord.
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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.
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "15 nights"
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07-27-2015, 11:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 724
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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.
__________________
2019.5 Rockwood 2509S
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07-27-2015, 11:48 AM
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#14
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,470
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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
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing.(sold) (sold) 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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07-27-2015, 12:04 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hawkins, Texas
Posts: 1,243
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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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07-27-2015, 01:10 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clr
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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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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07-27-2015, 01:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 175
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coryhynes
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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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.
__________________
2014 Grey Wolf 28BH, behind a 2015 F350 Diesel Crew Cab
Nights Camped 2016: 44
Nights Booked 2017: 11
Nights Camped 2017: 6
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07-27-2015, 01:24 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OntarioFireFighter
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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Thanks. Will check Walmart.
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07-27-2015, 01:29 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hawkins, Texas
Posts: 1,243
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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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07-27-2015, 01:32 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clr
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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Great idea
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