Have a fifth wheel recreational trailer with a 50-amp service and a converter (not inverter) that converts 110 volts to 12 volts if the trailer is plugged in to 110 volts.Our air conditioner is 15,000 BTU and draws about 3000 watts on start-up and only 1800 watts when running.If I use a step-down transformer that steps 220 volts to 110 volts from a panel with two 15 amp breakers, will I be safe to plug in our RV and use the air conditioner without tripping the breaker continuously or doing damage to the appliances or circuitry in the trailer?

You will still be limited to 15 amps and personally I would not choose that way to do it either. Each leg is 120 so not transformer would be needed just grab one leg.

LouKrasz wrote:Have a fifth wheel recreational trailer with a 50-amp service and a converter (not inverter) that converts 110 volts to 12 volts if the trailer is plugged in to 110 volts.Our air conditioner is 15,000 BTU and draws about 3000 watts on start-up and only 1800 watts when running.If I use a step-down transformer that steps 220 volts to 110 volts from a panel with two 15 amp breakers, will I be safe to plug in our RV and use the air conditioner without tripping the breaker continuously or doing damage to the appliances or circuitry in the trailer?Are you asking about a 240V 3 wire circuit vs the RV standard 120/240V 4 wire circuit?Don't use a 240V 3 wire circuit. It tends to let the smoke out of your equipment. If you have a 120/240V circuit even if it's say 30A it can be used with an adapter and your rig, you'll just be limited to 2x 30A. From your post: Your charger has nothing to do with running the A/C other than it also uses some AC amps. There is no need for a step down transformer. Perhaps the solution to your A/C problem is a hard start capacitor.

If this is your home then install a 50A RV plug or at least a 30A. If this is somewhere else then boondock.

50A 5th wheelTHat is 6000W per hot leg12,000W total capabilityYou only have ONE 15K A/C UnitBreaker tripping.....then either weak CB or A/C Unit is drawing HIGHER than normal ampsConverter is not an issueWhat breaker is tripping?Main AC Panel?Power pedestal breaker?A/C individual breaker?What is AC Voltage.........if 108V or lower causing high amp drawJury rigging is NOT your solution.

What Old-Biscuit said! Do =not= jerry rig this or you'll fry pretty much all your electrics, at best; could fry the entire trailer in a worst case. Install a proper 50a (preferably) or a 30a plug, and use an adapter.Lyle

Electrical Connection | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2017
LouKrasz wrote:
Have a fifth wheel recreational trailer with a 50-amp service and a converter (not inverter) that converts 110 volts to 12 volts if the trailer is plugged in to 110 volts.
Our air conditioner is 15,000 BTU and draws about 3000 watts on start-up and only 1800 watts when running.
If I use a step-down transformer that steps 220 volts to 110 volts from a panel with two 15 amp breakers, will I be safe to plug in our RV and use the air conditioner without tripping the breaker continuously or doing damage to the appliances or circuitry in the trailer?
Are you asking about a 240V 3 wire circuit vs the RV standard 120/240V 4 wire circuit?

Don't use a 240V 3 wire circuit. It tends to let the smoke out of your equipment.

If you have a 120/240V circuit even if it's say 30A it can be used with an adapter and your rig, you'll just be limited to 2x 30A.

From your post: Your charger has nothing to do with running the A/C other than it also uses some AC amps. There is no need for a step down transformer. Perhaps the solution to your A/C problem is a hard start capacitor.
Toddupton
Explorer
Jul 20, 2017
You will still be limited to 15 amps and personally I would not choose that way to do it either. Each leg is 120 so not transformer would be needed just grab one leg.

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