Forum Discussion

JOMO's avatar
JOMO
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015

AMP

Does anyone know how many amp's the ac needs to run in an rv. My breaker's at my house are 20 amp breakers and I'm trying to run the ac in my camper and it keeps flipping the breaker. The plug in the garage has other things on it like the lights and fan in the garage but my washing machine has it's on breaker and I'm hoping I can unplug my washer and plug in my camper. I called an electrician to come out but he had to cancel on me and my grandson is coming for a visit so I need to try this solution for this weekend.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2015
    And to define a "washer" vs "dryer" outlet:

    A washer outlet and RV outlet will have: ONE hot, one neutral and one ground.

    A dryer outlet will have TWO hots, a ground and depending on age, a neutral. NOT, REPEAT NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR AN RV. IT WILL BURN OUT A LOT OF EQUIPMENT ON YOUR RV.
  • babun's avatar
    babun
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2015
    And use a 12 gauge extension cord, not some cheapie 16 gage one!!!
    Or just a 30ampRv plug adapter to 15/20amp house hold outlet if your rv cord is long enuff.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Aug 29, 2015
    Use the washer outlet... it will work fine as most ACs are less than 15 amps. You do not need an electrician to use the washer outlet which will work.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2015
    Start by verifying that nothing else in the RV is on. 20 amps is plenty to run an RV A/C.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Aug 29, 2015
    The typical home circuit has multiple 15A plugs on a 20A CB and everything needs to be off except the AC. I'd certainly try the dedicated 20A washer plug.

    While 20A should be enough ACs have a start up surge current that can trip the CB.
  • JOMO's avatar
    JOMO
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2015
    Thanks for your replies . Yes, regular house plug where washing machine is plugged into and I do have a fat cord like the one on the rv. I'm still hoping to get an electrician out here to take care of problem the right way but in case I can't get one I was hoping this might work. We won't be using anything in RV except a few led lights and the washing machine has it's on breaker with nothing else on it. My grandson won't be here until next wekend so i will try it out tomorrow. keeping my fingers crossed.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2015
    markchengr wrote:
    He said washing machine not dryer.


    Oops! --I got caught up in the "electrician to the house" part and what that often leads to. :(
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2015
    20 amps should be plenty. The 20 amp breaker in the house probably feeds several other outlets, make sure the AC is the only load on that breaker. Also make sure no other drains are on in the RV. The converter can draw considerable current if charging a discharged battery, depending on the converter. Another high drain may be the electric water heater.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2015
    Your trailer should not be plugged into the dryer plug or other stick house 30a plug!!!! Trailer is 120v and house 30s are 240v. Fry the trailer :(

    Your problem now is not the "20a" plugs it is the long run of wire to the trailer making for voltage drop so 125 at the house might be only 105 at the trailer, and the a/c won't run on low voltage. In fact it might be harmed $$$ trying that.

    Try it on a less busy house 20a circuit and use fatter wire out to the trailer--12 instead of 14.

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