dual AC on 30 amps - I think I made it work
Here is what I did. Middle of day once temperatures start heating up, I switched my water heater and refrigerator over to propane. I unplugged cofee pot, curling iron, and anything else drawing elec...
Forum Discussion
Drawing high amps (on 30 amp pedestal) for extended periods can result in an overheated plug to pedestal connection. There are even some that say you should never draw over 80% of 30 amps, 24 amps (which I disagree with). Two AC units (rated @ 12.5 FLA) is already at 25 amps and that's *if* the voltage is near or at 120 volts. Add in the converter draw, fridge on electric, TV and you're over 30 amps.
To size a "main" breaker by code calculation, if you have AC units rated at say 12.5 FLA and were drawing 5 amps from the converter and no other loads, you would require 12.5 amps + 5 amps + 20 amps (required breaker size for startup), you would need a breaker rated for min. 37.5 amps. You would then need to go to the next available size up, or 40 amps.
Doesn't matter *if* it seems like two AC units are working fine, it IS causing damage to the motor windings which degrades the insulation over time and shortens the life of AC units. The voltage at the AC terminals will be somewhat less too.
To size a "main" breaker by code calculation, if you have AC units rated at say 12.5 FLA and were drawing 5 amps from the converter and no other loads, you would require 12.5 amps + 5 amps + 20 amps (required breaker size for startup), you would need a breaker rated for min. 37.5 amps. You would then need to go to the next available size up, or 40 amps.
Doesn't matter *if* it seems like two AC units are working fine, it IS causing damage to the motor windings which degrades the insulation over time and shortens the life of AC units. The voltage at the AC terminals will be somewhat less too.
