20 amp service question
Can you run one air conditioner when hooked up to a 20 amp service?
Forum Discussion
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
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
