20 amp service question

You CANNOT easily run a RV AC on 20 amp service. CAN YOU DO IT? Yes, Is it advisable? NO. The problems are multiple
1. You are adapting the 30/50 amp shore cord down to that 15 amp (15 AMP!) adapter. They do NOT make a 30/50 to 20 amp adapter. The plug at the House/CG if NOT the 30/50 large plug is rated at 15 amps. Just because that circuit receptacle can have a 20 amp breaker, does NOT mean that the receptacle and the 30 to 15 amp adapter are rated at that amp.
2. There are OTHER items in your RV that pull amps
1. The Power Converter or Inverter/Charger whichever you have(1 to 3 amps)
2. The refer if left on 120 (3.0 amps), but you should switch to LP
3. Then, ANY other 120 item/appliance that you turn on, even for short cooking or usage
4. 120 BREAKERs will NOT trip from overloading that causes heat build up. A LOT of people think that IF they run or overload the supply circuit, then one of the breakers will trip. FALSE. The Heat build up from drawing more safe current than can be supplied will slightly or fully damage appliances that are being used. The line voltage usually drops when adapting down due to the inherent reason that you ARE on a "20" amp service.
Last, People run on adapted down 20 amp service all the time, but it is NOT a good thing to do. AND, it is not good that people state that you can do such a thing. The RV's and large draw appliances are NOT designed to do that on a regular basis. I work on RV's for a living and I repair the burnt breaker centers/wiring and repair/replace appliances that fail due to adapted down constant running on 20/15 amp supplies. Doug

Kayteg1 wrote:
I do it all the time.
I measured that my 15,000 btu AC takes 8 amps when running, so once I start it, I can add microwave or other appliances.
You have to check the appliances power. When big household microwave oven takes 1000 w and really need good 20 amp line, smaller microwaves will take only 400W.
Years ago I bought small RV combo - small coffee maker and toaster with top plate for eggs cooking.
I can run that combo on 800W generator that I bought as a backup for $80 at HF. Small microwave will run on 800w generator as well.

ANY 15k AC will NOT pull 8 amps. You either measured wrong or your amp tool was wrong. The MINIMUM amp draw of most AC Fan motors on HI is 2.8 to 3.1 amps. Then the compressor will be at least 11.0 to 13.9 amps. This is at 95 degree outside temp. So, you subtract 1 amp for each 10 degrees below 95.-----75 degrees outside temp that compressor if rated at 11 amps would pull 9 amps, but add the 3.0 fan amps and you still have 12 amps. There is no way a fully functioning 15K will pull less than 11 amps. Give me the brand and model number of your AC and I will give you exact figures. Doug

supercub wrote:
Can you run one air conditioner when hooked up to a 20 amp service?

Yes, easily as long as you don't also try to run the microwave, elec eater heater, hair dryer, etc. We easily run one AC with some lights and fans.

You didn't say but if you are plugging into a home outlet AND you have problems with the house breaker flipping, there may be something else on the same line in the house. We had intermittent problems with this issue when plugging into a friends garage outlet. Finally figured out every time the freezer in his basement kicked on, if our AC was also running, the house breaker tripped. Long answer but Yes to your question.

I nm doing it now, 50amp cord adapted to 20 amp, temps have been in the high 90s low 100s. One 15K Dometic AC and a small fan is pulling 18amps on my Progressive Voltage Monitor, everything else is on gas. This is on a 2013 Mobile Suites.

Yes, but not much else. May have to put the refer and water heater on propane. Also, turning off the ice maker helps.

I do it all the time at family's homes.

I did it for several years while living in my RV about 300' from the main house. So yes a extension cord is also possible, if you have a voltage booster!

The A/C should be using around 13 - 14 amps, depending on how hot it is. I never needed to run my battery charger/converter, so that did not factor into my RV loads.

But I had a #10 extension cord.

Good luck,

Fred.

I do it all the time.
I measured that my 15,000 btu AC takes 8 amps when running, so once I start it, I can add microwave or other appliances.
You have to check the appliances power. When big household microwave oven takes 1000 w and really need good 20 amp line, smaller microwaves will take only 400W.
Years ago I bought small RV combo - small coffee maker and toaster with top plate for eggs cooking.
I can run that combo on 800W generator that I bought as a backup for $80 at HF. Small microwave will run on 800w generator as well.

You need to tell us about your rig and A/C size.

Most times you can run one A/C, but little else.

No extension cords. Monitor voltage.