So we are looking at a long term 15 amp site . Never have camped at 15 amp site before only 30 amp .So what issues am I going to find ?Can I run my AC ? Can I run my AC on low and use a 1000 watt microwave ?This is a full service site so don't have to worry about water pump.Will run RV fridge on electricity , with the potential of running a second "bar" fridge in a outside shed .Maybe furnace in the fall ??Is there any device that can "boost" the amperage up to 30 ?? ( I doubt it ) but it is a standard "household" socket ...combine top and bottom plugs ??Thanks for any tips ,tricks and advice

uterep wrote:Can I run my AC ? Can I run my AC on low and use a 1000 watt microwave ?Will run RV fridge on electricity , with the potential of running a second "bar" fridge in a outside shed .Maybe furnace in the fall ??Is there any device that can "boost" the amperage up to 30 ?? ( I doubt it ) but it is a standard "household" socket ...combine top and bottom plugs ??Barely. AC on low usually means just fan, so no. Yes, Yes. Yes. No, but you can use separately.

amps = watts divided by volts. a 1000-watt microwave will consume 8.3 amps (assuming source is 120-volts AC). that's 50% of your available amps. but depending on the load at the campground you may have less than 120-volts. at 115-volts you'd be consuming 8.7 amps. I seriously doubt that you could use the AC with the microwave.

No AC unless it's small. MW OK, 2 refers OK, furnace OK.There is a device that will combine the two plugs in a standard household plug. This provides more contact area. No way to get 30A. You'll also want to monitor the voltage with a DVM as you may have low voltage. You'll be limited running multiple items including electric HW. Also is it a 15A plug as in one of several on a 20A CB? If so then you are even more limited. Hopefully it's a 20A plug on a dedicated 20A CB. Plus if it's GFCI then you need to check the rig and eliminate any ground faults.

Whether your AC will run on just 15 amps is something you'll have to try but when we tried plugged in at home our voltage dropped to 108 which can eventually cause premature failure of our AC unit, thus we won't chance it. You have approximately 1800 watts to play with, give it a test run plugged in at home.

You can run your AC, but probably nothing else. Your AC will pull between 10-13 amps, depending upon your brand and style. Anything after that has to fit in within the total available 15 amp range. If you exceed the 15 amps, the most that will happen is, you'll pop the breaker at the service pole (plug). We used a 15 amp service at home comfortably for many, many years. When the A/C was on, we never ran the microwave. When we ran the microwave, we turned off the A/C first. We ran the water heater on propane. The refrigerator uses about 2-3 amps when it runs, and then we had our cell phones and computers plugged in and television. We never blew a breaker.Last Fall I took the time and expense to install a true 30 amp service just for the camper. Now we can run everything, just like at a campground.

15 amp Questions | Good Sam Community

uterep
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
Thanks everyone

Really appreciate all this
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 19, 2014
The WEAKEST points in all this is 2 things.
1. Regardless of the sixe of the CG breaker, the RECEPTACLE is rated at 15 amps ONLY
2. The adapter down to the 15 amp from the 30 to 15. The adapter and its 3 15 amp pins are also not heavy enough to do a FULL 15 amp constant draw.
To the OP, If you do this watch the adapter from 30 to 15 and you will see it will get melted and the pins will get discolored and will look corroded. NOT GOOD as you are drawing more current that it can supply. Remember, the system WILL allow you to draw MORE than 15 amps. There is no magic wand that stops the excess current draw when you exceed 15 amps. The supply breakers and wiring will allow higher amp usage and the adapters will take the hit. Doug
Wayne_Dohnal
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
You will never be able to pull 15amps constantly on a 15amp c/b without it eventually tripping. They are good for 80% of thier rating for constant load. So your constant load should be no more than 12amps. JMHO.
The trip curve shows the breakers supporting 100% of their rating indefinitely. Eaton residential trip curves.
john_bet
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2014
You will never be able to pull 15amps constantly on a 15amp c/b without it eventually tripping. They are good for 80% of thier rating for constant load. So your constant load should be no more than 12amps. JMHO.
AllegroD
Nomad
Jun 19, 2014
Use your 30 amp cable to the plug with adapter. A 12ga or smaller extension cord will incur voltage loss and the longer the run, the greater the loss. Every little thing will count.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2014
deleted
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2014
uterep wrote:
The CG is 15 amp 100%
Only the smallest AC would be expected to run.

Plus a 15A plug on a 15A CB could be wired with 14ga wire. But nothing beats experience so try it.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2014
Americans often say "20a" when they are actually talking about 15a as in Canada. (same amps different language)

Yes you can run the air conditioner on "15a" (it has a 20a circuit breaker in your Rv but ignore that for this exercise) We have run our 15size a/c on a 15a circuit at campgrounds and at home. But as others have said, nothing else on at the time. Fridge , water heater on gas, converter off or when on the batteries are full.

It is not a killer to have to turn off the air conditioner when you need to run the other things on 120v for a few minutes, then turn them off and turn the a/c back on.

Generally overall, expect to buy more propane to make up for the lack of 30a service.
uterep
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
The CG is 15 amp 100%

True about the house it was off my garage circuit with a household cord to my 30 amp in the 5er
joebedford
Nomad II
Jun 19, 2014
I can run (one of) my AC(s) on a 15A circuit if I run the 50A cord right to the plug and use a 50/30/15 dogbone converter. If a regular extension cord is involved, no way I can run air.