20 amp service

install some panel meters so you can monitor your amperage consumption and in no time at all you'll figure out what you can & cant run when on a 15, 20, 30 or 50 amp circuit.

the panel meters are cheap (10 bucks on ebay or amazon) - if you have a 50A coach you'll need 2 meters (one per leg) - otherwise a 30A trailer or coach only needs one meter.

wa8yxm wrote:
Just remember with 20 amps you are LIMITED into how much electrify you can eat at one time...

The general rule is with 20 amps you can run ONE big ticket item (A/C, Water Heater, Microwave, Space Heater) with 30 you should be able to run two (Though not two A/Cs)

Or AC and Micro at the same time. Trips mine every time when she heats something with the AC running.

Just remember with 20 amps you are LIMITED into how much electrify you can eat at one time...

The general rule is with 20 amps you can run ONE big ticket item (A/C, Water Heater, Microwave, Space Heater) with 30 you should be able to run two (Though not two A/Cs)

I lived in my MH for 5 months,.....on a 100 ft 12ga cord in 105 deg. weather, A/C and everything else not a problem. Add the micro (only once) popped the 20 amp house breaker. No ac voltmeter.

Its really quite simple, when A/Cing on a 15 amp service w/ ext cord, listen for a good positive start of the A/C compressor. If it lugs down for more than 2 seconds, shut down, get a bigger cord ! If you don't know what a good positive start sounds like, learn.

I used to run my fridge & a/c on a 20a circuit while getting ready for a trip in temps above 110* no problem.

It is most important that the service receptacle feels TIGHT when you push-in your plug. Tight means exerting a 3 lb push which isn't gentle. The best way to learn what is a tight connection is at the hardware store. Pick a SPECIFICATION GRADE receptacle 15 or 20 amps. Then grab a plug and push and pull it out a few times. Tight isn't it? This tightness can support a 20-amp load. When the tangs in the receptacle get looser they cannot support 20 amps, period.

A adapter and you are good to go but limited to 20 amps.

I would pick a RV30A-15A DOGBONE style long adapter like this one from WALMART...



Don't mess with these small round adapters as they will get hot on you and do damage to your 30AMP Shore Power Connector..


You will be able to run most of your 120VAC items inside the trailer but anything high wattage will trip your pedstal 20AMP Breaker. You can run the high wattage items but only by itself with most everything else turned off.

I also have one of these RV120VAC VOLTMETERs plugged into where I can get a good glance at before turning on something like the Air Conditioner. This meter scale has the SAFE ZONE printed in GREEN. If the 120VAC AC voltage is outside the GREEN SAFE ZONE you should not turn on the air conditioner.


Roy Ken

Seems like you would already have the 15 0r 20 amp to 30 adapter, which is very common, and would likely be needed for plugging in at home.

you can just get get a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter and you are good to go.