Honestly, how long continuously, can A/C run in hot wx?
Honestly, how long continuously, can A/C run in hot wx? Just want to know if they can keep going for hours? I'm expecting 100+ degrees for several days in the daytime.
Forum Discussion
Is this at home or a CG and is it a one time situation or do you plan to travel around to different CGs? Low voltage is a common problem especially in hot weather in a CG with everyone running AC units.
Sometimes it's just low because of outdated wiring. Besides low voltage being bad for an AC unit (below approx. 105 volts), it causes the current to increase (unlike just about everything else) and you could find that you end up tripping a breaker. Damage from low voltage is cumulative and can happen over time. For max. life of the AC unit, ensure the voltage is not too low.
If you find you're tripping a breaker, try turning off everything else inside. Also ensure the plug blades are clean and the receptacle you're plugged into is't old and tired and in poor shape. A voltmeter is a good tool to own and a plug-in type inside is good to keep an eye on voltage. Another thing that works sometimes is using a 50 to 30 amp adapter and plugging into a 50 amp pedestal. Otherwise the only fix is an autoformer (Hughes for ex.). An EMS is a great thing to have and will automatically shut you down on low volts.
Always make sure you turn the power off before plugging in otherwise the plug blades and the inside of a receptacle get pitted due to the converter inrush current and over time causes a poor connection and heat and eventually a possible meltdown. Ensure your plug blades are kept clean & shiny. Sometimes an AC won't start due to it's high inrush current and a hard start capacitor may help. If at home, use a quality min. #12 gauge extension cord but #10 would be better.
Funny, the lowest voltage I've seen so far is at 2 CGs in Oregon. Last year one was 106 before turning anything on and when we did, our EMS disconnected us. We recently bought an autoformer to be able to keep running for the next time voltage is low.
Sometimes it's just low because of outdated wiring. Besides low voltage being bad for an AC unit (below approx. 105 volts), it causes the current to increase (unlike just about everything else) and you could find that you end up tripping a breaker. Damage from low voltage is cumulative and can happen over time. For max. life of the AC unit, ensure the voltage is not too low.
If you find you're tripping a breaker, try turning off everything else inside. Also ensure the plug blades are clean and the receptacle you're plugged into is't old and tired and in poor shape. A voltmeter is a good tool to own and a plug-in type inside is good to keep an eye on voltage. Another thing that works sometimes is using a 50 to 30 amp adapter and plugging into a 50 amp pedestal. Otherwise the only fix is an autoformer (Hughes for ex.). An EMS is a great thing to have and will automatically shut you down on low volts.
Always make sure you turn the power off before plugging in otherwise the plug blades and the inside of a receptacle get pitted due to the converter inrush current and over time causes a poor connection and heat and eventually a possible meltdown. Ensure your plug blades are kept clean & shiny. Sometimes an AC won't start due to it's high inrush current and a hard start capacitor may help. If at home, use a quality min. #12 gauge extension cord but #10 would be better.
Funny, the lowest voltage I've seen so far is at 2 CGs in Oregon. Last year one was 106 before turning anything on and when we did, our EMS disconnected us. We recently bought an autoformer to be able to keep running for the next time voltage is low.
