Forum Discussion

vetdame's avatar
vetdame
Explorer
Jun 16, 2013

Listing of AMP usage?

Happy Father's Day!

Getting closer to taking shakedown trip with new to us fiver.
I need to find a listing of AMP usage for appliances/equipment.
Living in Florida means the A/C is a must, so I need to know
what else I can run with it on. Am limited to 30 AMPs. ??

5 Replies

  • Hi,

    You can also add an auxiliary shore power cord. I did two--one for my converter and a couple of outlets and one for my water heater. I used male and female plugs so I can switch back to OEM in a hurry.

    I love having these tools for actual measurements.

    kill-a-watt

    watt meter



    Outlet tester.

    outlet tester

  • If you only have a 30 amp RV with one AirCond (I do) or you are limited to 30 amp by the park service available power then:
    - put your HW heater on gas
    - becareful running Micro with AC running but we do it all the time with no problem
    - only run 1 AC if you have 2 (50 amp RV powered by 30 amp service)

    You will be fine this way
  • There are quite a few. Here is one.

    Appliance Amperage

    Wattage % Volts = Amps
    Amps X Volts = Wattage

    One other thing to keep in mind is many RV appliances require more amps to start the appliance than they do to run the appliance. A roof air conditioner can draw 16 amps to start, but may only use 13 amps once it is running.


    120 Volt AC Amp Ratings


    Appliance or Electronic Equipment

    Estimated Amps

    Air Conditioner (X number of A/C) 12-16 Amps
    Blender 5-6 Amps
    Coffee Maker 5-8 Amps
    Compact Disc Player 1 Amp
    Computer (Laptop) 2-3 Amps
    Converter 1-8 Amps
    Crock Pot 1-2 Amps
    Curling Iron <1 Amp
    Drill 2-6 Amps
    Electric Blanket 0.5-1.5 Amps
    Electric Fan 1 Amp
    Electric Water Heater 9-13 Amps
    Electric Skillet 6-12 Amps
    Hair Dryer 5-12 Amps
    Iron 5-10 Amps
    Light (60 watt % 120V) <1 Amp
    Microwave 8-13 Amps
    Microwave (Convection Oven) 13 Amps
    Refrigerator in AC mode 5-8 Amps
    Space Heater 8-13 Amps
    Television 1.5-4 Amps
    Toaster 7-10 Amps
    Vacuum (handheld) 2-6 Amps
    VCR 1-2 Amps
    Washer/Dryer 14-16Amps


    12 Volt DC Amp Ratings


    Appliance or Accessory

    Estimated Amps

    Aisle Light 1 Amp
    CO Detector 1 Amp
    Fluorescent Light 1-2 Amps
    Furnace 10-12 Amps
    LP Gas Leak Detector 1 Amp
    Overhead lights (Per Bulb) 1 Amp
    Porch Light 1 Amp
    Power Roof Vent 1.5 Amps
    Radio/Stereo 4 Amps
    Range Hood (Fan & Light) 2-3 Amps
    Refrigerator (LP Gas Mode) 1.5- 2 Amps
    Security System 1 Amp
    Television (12 volt) 4-5 Amps
    TV Antenna Booster <1 Amp
    TV Antenna Booster 12 Volt outlet Up to 8 Amps
    Variable Speed Ceiling / Vent Fan 4 Amps
    VCR Recorder / Player 2 Amps
    Water Pump 4 Amp

    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    A second one


    Appliance Wattage and Amperage Consumption (Approximate)

    Appliance Watts Amps
    Air Conditioner 13,500 Btu 1700 14
    Air Conditioner 15,000 Btu 1950 16
    Blender 300 2.5
    Coffeemaker 900 7.5
    Computer (desktop) 100 8
    Computer (printer) 240 2.0
    Converter (30 amp) 550 4.5
    Converter (40 amp) 650 5.5
    Converter (75 amp) 1050 8.5
    Heater (electric) See wattage rating for heater 12.5
    Hair Dryer 1200 10.0
    Iron 1200 10.5
    Microwave 450 Watt 900 7.5
    Microwave 650 Watt 1,300 10.5
    TV 100 .75
    TV Satellite & Receiver 170 1.5
    VCR 90 .75
    Washer/Dryer (RV type) 1900 16.0

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Here is a another one for comparison.

    Appliance amperage

    I hope this helps.

    Paul
  • Hi,
    You can check the amp draw of many things, and it is molded into the plastic. If you can not read the number, the eyes of a grandchild can help. It is typically tiny and in the plastic.

    So the coffee maker might be 1,000 - 1,200 watts, or about 10 amps
    toaster can be 8-10amps.
    Microwave might say 900 watt output power, but typically will have 1,200 watt input power or about 11 amps
    A/C units are about 11 - 14 amps each, with warmer days increasing the amperage.

    On the RV, the refrigerator is about 3-3.3 amps, and practically nothing if running on gas - bonus is the gas cooling effect is almost double the electric heating element cooling capacity.

    Battery charger is going to be around 1-2 amps, more at night when more lights are on.

    TV is typically less than 1 amp with a LED screen, still a small load. VCR, DVD or laptop computer are all less than 1 amp each.

    If you have a 30 amp service, then you might be able to run 2 A/C if you shut off most everything else, and only run the TV. While away from the RV, my suggestion is to only run 1 of the A/C units, because you will not be there to reset the circuit breaker - should it trip under a heavy load.

    Also in some campgrounds it is a requirement to monitor the input voltage, and stop the A/C if the voltage is below 104 volts. Most will plug in a autobooster if below 110 volts, to bring it back up to the normal range. At 104 volts the A/C compressor will be drawing more amperage, and might trip on it's internal overloads. IT can also damage the expensive to replace compressor if running less than 104 volts!

    Good luck!

    Fred.
  • vetdame wrote:
    Happy Father's Day!

    Getting closer to taking shakedown trip with new to us fiver.
    I need to find a listing of AMP usage for appliances/equipment.
    Living in Florida means the A/C is a must, so I need to know
    what else I can run with it on. Am limited to 30 AMPs. ??


    Thanks!

    How many prongs are on your shore power plug? What number is on the main breaker in your circuit panel?

    Jim

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,284 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 16, 2025