50 amp to 15 amp

Have run ours on a 15A plug with adapters for years. Just don't run anything like ACs or Microwaves. Check plugs for overheating. 15A is ok for a few lights, and keeping batteries charged.

BurbMan wrote:
What the heck is that electric meter doing so close to the ground?????

Is it an electrical meter or water meter?

Use this:

http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-14422-Pigtail-Adapter-Connector/dp/B002IZJD5S

What the heck is that electric meter doing so close to the ground?????

Our unit draws 1-3 amps AC when charging the batteries. Start turning on DC lights and stuff and the amps go up.

If you can plug into a GFI outlet.

50 to 30 adapter and 30 to 15 adapter

I have this:

Prime RVAD3050901 RV Adapter, 30 Amp Plug and 50 Amp Connector with Indicator Light and Handle

http://www.amazon.com/Prime-RVAD3050901-Adapter-Connector-Indicator/dp/B005IZ170Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1381846556&sr=8-4&keywords=50+amp+to+30+amp+rv+adapter+with+light

and this:
Conntek 15 Amp Male Plug To 30 Amp RV Female Connector RV Adapter

http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-Male-Female-Connector-Adapter/dp/B001TO4WCS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1381846684&sr=8-4&keywords=50+amp+to+30+amp+rv+adapter

I put this on the outside wall of the garage:

As mentioned, it's no problem going from 50 to 15 (you should always carry those adapters anyways in case you aren't able to get 50A (some parks / sites are only 30A or sometimes there's problems at the post and 15A is the only one that works).

As far as not throwing the breaker, you should be fine but depending on your equipment you might need set it so that it doesn't try to use too much power for charging (our inverter has a 140A charger and I suspect that it will use more than 15A incoming 120V alone but it does have a setting (through the panel) to set the incoming voltage to 30A or more, 20A, ..., 5A

Agree, perhaps "slamming" is too strong a word. But larger inverter/chargers can charge at up to 150 amps if the batteries are discharged.

I don't see the advantage to "rapidly charge" them if you are going to be plugged in 24/7.

And, limiting the charge rate also allows you to use other 120 VAC appliances while on that 15 amp power supply.

wolfe10 wrote:
no point in "slamming" the batteries with really high amps-- easier on them to charge a little slower.

Batteries only take what they need. There is no "slamming".

doughere wrote:
Yes !!

I don't think there's any converter that draws over 15A. You'll need adapters. Just don't try to run anything of significance until the batteries are charged. And then be pretty careful.

Doug

My 9180 peaks at about 10 amps. but it came with a 20 amp plug and a 20 amp breaker feeds it. Just so you know.

(I have fed it with a generator that only puts out about 10, and that was with very dead batteries so it was peaking).

Actually, more useful to buy TWO adapters:

30 amp male to 50 amp female (this allows you to use 30 amp shore power)

15 amp male to 30 amp female

And, if it has a smart inverter/charger, one of the programming options is called "power share" or "power save". It allows you to limit the amps of 120 VAC used to charge the battery. If this is while in storage, no point in "slamming" the batteries with really high amps-- easier on them to charge a little slower.