Dual AC a handicap when only 30amp is available?

Our 30' TH was just fine up to about 90 degrees but above that, it struggles with 1 13,500 ac. We installed a 2nd ac in the garage area along with a second 30 amp power inlet and the appropriate wiring. Now we can plug in two two 30 amp receptacles (if available) or 50 amp with appropriate adapter (50 to 2-30) or 1-30 and 1-20.
This setup gives us the most flexibility possible and I think I like it better than just having a 50 amp setup.

having some panel meters help me to manage our current drawl - i can run one unit on a 20A circuit (think in front of my MIL's on the curb)....during the day if its not too hot (90 or less) we'll run the front AC w/ the bathroom door shut or open (depending on how hot it is).

at night we'll switch over to the rear a/c unit (only) and shut the bathroom door to trap the cool air in the bedroom.

I can and often do run both units on a GOOD/Solid 30A circuit - managing the consumption by shutting down an a/c unit to run other appliances (if necessary).

my panel meters were only $10 each & they use inductive (donuts) like a clampmeter to measure the current drawl on each of my 2 (50A) legs. In the picture below you can see the 10A drawl of the front AC unit (leg #1).

Fastfwd75 wrote:
Seems like the bigger 5th wheels and trailers all have dual ACs and I assume 50 amp. Not all campgrounds always have 50 amp spots available and not all generators can handle dual ACs.

Am I right in thinking that finding an RV with single AC is more versatile or do the dual somehow manage with only one running?

I was in Moab and Las Vegas lately with temp around 100 and the single 13.5 in my 20' was working all the time just to keep temperature survivable.

Dual ACs are probably rarely necessary in a 20' RV. However, when an RV is over 30' long, there is a lot more space to cool and a lot of cooling capability is lost in the poorly insulated duct work. Dual ACs also allow you to cool a sleeping area without cooling an entire large RV.

I can run both on 30 amp,just start 1 at a time or use any other high amp appliances microwave,toaster at the same time ken

Double Post again...

Some folks will install the second A/C unit on a separate 120VAC 20AMP circuit that they can plug into the camp ground 20AMP Service which most have...

We use the 20AMP Service pedestal all the time with our trips. In the winter months this runs our extra oil-filled heaters...

The 20AMp Service from the pedestal does not take away from your 30AMP service. It has its own circuit breaker on the campground pedestal.


If you can't find a 20AMp service receptacle to plug-in to then go ahead and plug into one of your 15AMP receptacles and turn off alot of other things if you have too allowing you to run both air conditioners.


There is also another solution which is starting to become popular and that is one of those portable air conditioners. They just plug into your 15 AMP receptacle and need to have a close by window for the exhaust to go thru. These A/C units can be a 5K or bigger but are great for one room like the bed room...



A couple of choices here...
Roy Ken

Fastfwd75 wrote:
Seems like the bigger 5th wheels and trailers all have dual ACs and I assume 50 amp. Not all campgrounds always have 50 amp spots available and not all generators can handle dual ACs.

Am I right in thinking that finding an RV with single AC is more versatile or do the dual somehow manage with only one running?

I was in Moab and Las Vegas lately with temp around 100 and the single 13.5 in my 20' was working all the time just to keep temperature survivable.

our 30-amp model year 2000 Irasca has dual AC's and an energy management system that allows both to operate. as we approach maximum draw the system begins shifting other systems to LP...water heater, fridge...or shutting them down altogether...high speed fan and finally the second AC.