Michigander wrote:
Has anyone ever heard of a single a/c unit not being able to start and run on a 20amp shore power circuit? We bought a new coach and the dealer says don't run a/c unless connected to a 30 amp service or connected to the gen. They say it will cook the compressor. We have always run a/c units in trailers or coaches off a 20 amp circuit without a problem when at home so I am perplexed about what I am missing?? Thoughts?
I don't care whether you have 50 amp, 30m amp, or 20 amp service, the same voltage drop circumstances apply to all. Even if your coach is hooked up to 50 amp service, your AC unit is running on it's own 20 amp circuit, with it's own 20 amp circuit breaker. If the voltage is low for the 50 amp service input, the voltage will be low for the AC circuit as well.
A simple $15 meter(Kill-A-Watt) can check your voltage and current draw for the AC unit, while it is being used, to see if you get any voltage drop that may affect the life of your AC unit. Any speculation as to what may happen when plugged in to a 20 amp circuit is just that, a guess, without actually hooking up a meter to find out if it is doable or not.