charging an EV at a campground

Reisender wrote:

PButler96 wrote:

Reisender wrote:

3 tons wrote:
Another summertime issue in many campgrounds is sure to be that EV charging may preempt the ability of others to operate their air conditioning… As temperatures rise to to 100’s (uh-o :( !!), this is sure to test the mental metal of otherwise friendly fee-paying for services campers…

3 tons - mostly (happily!) :) off-the-grid…

(full disclosure, 400a/hr LFP, 660w rooftop solar - newly added 360w of portable MPPT PV..)

I read this twice and I’m not sure I understand. Why would using an RV pedestal to charge a car pre-empt someone else on another site from running an AC? Maybe I misunderstood this.

Because there is a finite capacity in campground wiring, in most cases installed prior to today where everyone has to have a huge monster of an RV with 2 or 3 air conditioners, heat pumps, electric clothes dryers etc.

The vast majority of places I have been have had issues such as low voltage on crowded weekends etc.

Ah ok. I don’t know though. We drove a pusher for 18 years. On hot days with the various systems running that sucker gobbled up the electrons.

When we charge in a campground we are almost always on a 30 amp site. Our car can’t pull more than 24 amps. Literally can’t trip the breaker. But our little trailer can. Between AC, hot water, fridge, converter, microwave etc etc. Easy to pop the breaker. And if the voltage drops the trailer just pulls harder. The car automatically current limits to 18 or 12 amps if the voltage drops to 111 ish volts.

Jmho. Not an expert.

John

I agree. I think the "too much power for the campground infrastructure" argument is partially flawed.

It is correct in that if a person plugs in BOTH their RV and their EV, they are possibly putting more pull on the infrastructure than most other campers.

However, in that most campground infrastructures are ALREADY underpowered for campers' RV only usage, then the rare EV isn't really doing more than what is already happening on a holiday weekend in 100+ degree temps.

I think we can all agree that campground infrastructures are for the majority not able to handle the load for a campground at full capacity RV usage.

With more and more RVs using residential fridges, multiple ACs, multiple 120v appliances, etc, I doubt an EV only campsite is pulling more power than an RV only campsite. And, as most EVs are only capable of pulling small trailers, you aren't likely to see one campsite pulling power to charge the EV plus run 2+ ACs, 2 televisions, a microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, electric fireplace heater, electric blanket, etc.