A/C service while visiting friends

majorgator wrote:
Do they have the laundry in the garage? You could get an adapter and connect to the dryer outlet.

DO NOT PLUG INTO DRYER OUTLET UNLESS YOU WANT TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

darsben wrote:
Because I would call the cops if someone was running a generator in my neighborhood all night

Why would police want to waste time with a nuisance call like this? If anything, wouldn't this be a bylaw issue, not a police enforcement issue? :h

Because I would call the cops if someone was running a generator in my neighborhood all night

majorgator wrote:
Well, unless your friends are willing to let you hook up to a larger service, you're outta luck. Do they have the laundry in the garage? You could get an adapter and connect to the dryer outlet.

If the dryer outlet is the old 3 pin style, DO NOT DO THIS.

If the dryer outlet is the new 4 pin style, it is the same as an RV 50 amp outlet.

Chris Bryant wrote:
You can try turning everything off except the air conditioner- fridge on gas, converter off. Keep an eye on the voltage. 15 amp is pushing it though.

Well no doubt this will open a can of worms but what the heck .... :E

As an RV tech I'm sure Chris knows that provided certain conditions are met a standard 120 vac 15 amp service can successfully (and safely) start and run a typical 13,500 BTU A/C unit.

First, the unloaded voltage of that source supply should be a nominal 120 vac and to that end any other loads on the circuit should be removed.

Second, if that source 15 amp receptacle wired with 14 gauge cable is located say 100' from the house main breaker box then obviously voltage drop under load is going to be greater than if it were located just 25' from the box. In other words, know what you're dealing with.

Third, keep the run from the trailer to the 15 amp source receptacle as short as possible, ideally using just the standard 25' 10 gauge main service cable supplied with the trailer. If an extension must be used keep it as short as possible, no more than 25', and use appropriate 10 gauge cable rated for 30 amp service.

Fourth, as Chris said turn off all other loads inside the trailer, including the converter.

Why then is 20 amp the minimum rated service for running a 13.5K BTU A/C unit? Public consumption - with one of these units typically drawing 12 to 14 amps with the fan on high and the compressor running 20 amp service provides a buffer of 20%+, sufficient to easily accommodate any initial surge when the compressor first ramps up to speed, even including it's LRA which can often exceed, albeit briefly, 60 amps. This also allows for an even greater load imposed on the source supply by the A/C compressor when outside ambient temperatures increase substantially and head pressure is therefore greater.

That said, I've powered any 13.5K BTU A/C I've ever owned with a standard 15 amp drop in my workshop, under the aforementioned conditions - Carrier, DuoTherm Brisk Air, Coleman Mach 3+, and now a DuoTherm Brisk II ... no problem at all if you understand the issues involved. :B

Powering a 13.5K BTU A/C with 120 vac 15 amp Service

Lots of bad advice here. Hook up that dryer outlet and you will have a lot more problems than no ac. They are not wired the same.

Upgrade to a hybrid inverter such as a Victron or Magnum. That way the start up surge will be drawn from the battery bank.

DO NOT plug into the 240v dryer outlet.

If you KNOW what you are doing, you can wire up an RV 50 amp outlet from that outlet, but if not, leave it to an electrician who knows about RV electrical supplies.

No idea what part of FL you are in but if it's a condo community the neighbors might not appreciate hearing a generator drone on all night.

Another take on majorgator's idea...how about talking with your friends about unplugging the W/D overnight and coming to an agreed upon time to plug it back in come the morning? This of course assumes that some part of the garage has a higher amp service.

You can try turning everything off except the air conditioner- fridge on gas, converter off. Keep an eye on the voltage. 15 amp is pushing it though.