Hey all,With all this converter talk recently, I noticed that the prog. dyn. PD9180/9280 converter comes with a 20 amp cord and plug. Can't tell if the cord wire is 12awg but probably. Fine.So the specs say 1300 watts. Max Continuous operation on a 15amp, 14awg household circuit is typically 1440 Watts. So... I guess these supplies have a nasty power factor, with no correction? Too bad the nameplate doesn't state VAs so we actually knew how much current it can draw. Website only states efficiency as .8 but that doesn't help with total AC power.Anyone know what the max is? Interesting how they state cutting the cord end will void the warranty, since its their only converter with a 20A plug.

My PD9180 came with a 15 amp configuration plug.Richard

That's interesting... Wonder if they changed the cord? A catalog from their website states 20 amp.Seems overkill to me.

My 9280 came with the 20amp plug. Sticker on it says 1500 amps. I thought this was pretty bogus, considering that people routinely run 1500 amp space heaters on normal plug/outlet.I figure it's a marketing ploy to make their converters seem super high-powered. Or, if I put on my less paranoid hat, maybe it's just intended to have the effect that it does -- to make us think.I got a 30 amp cord and will put a 20amp female end on it, for use at rv parks. I also bought a 20/15 adapter. When I stay at someone's house I will ask where they plug in a microwave or space heater without tripping a circuit :B.

Space heater is not considered a continuous load device as it will cycle some(generally). Same as a hair dryer can go to 1875 due to short use. Actually I believe both of these ratings (1500 & 1875) are at 125 volts giving the max allowed by NEC at 12 amps (continuous) and 15 amps (short use)Converter is a continuous rated (120 volt) device so the circuit is derated to 80% or 12 amp max on 15a circuit. Needs 20 amp circuit with 16 amp continuous rating. Amp load will actually increase to an extent with low voltage. Space heater the amps drop as voltage drops.NEC defines continuous as 3 hours at max rating.

It has a 20 amp cord/plug because it draws so many watts(VA) for input it would overheat 14 wire so it needs 12 wire size and the 20a circuit breaker.It is not bogus. If you buy one, IMO follow the proper installation instructions. Some other brands have Power Factor correction in their higher amp converters above 60 amp size. They can still use 15a circuits with 14 wire. so if you do want a higher amp converter, you have options.

PD 9180 needs 20 amp cord? | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

JamesJudasPries
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
BFL13 wrote:
It has a 20 amp cord/plug because it draws so many watts(VA) for input it would overheat 14 wire so it needs 12 wire size and the 20a circuit breaker.

It is not bogus. If you buy one, IMO follow the proper installation instructions.

Some other brands have Power Factor correction in their higher amp converters above 60 amp size. They can still use 15a circuits with 14 wire. so if you do want a higher amp converter, you have options.

As an electrician I agree about that in general, but its odd to me why the same product has had 2 different cord types. I doubt the 15 amp version is any different.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
Naio wrote:
My 9280 came with the 20amp plug. Sticker on it says 1500 amps. I thought this was pretty bogus, considering that people routinely run 1500 amp space heaters on normal plug/outlet.

Clearly you mean 1500 watts. ;)
JamesJudasPries
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
Naio wrote:
My 9280 came with the 20amp plug. Sticker on it says 1500 amps. I thought this was pretty bogus, considering that people routinely run 1500 amp space heaters on normal plug/outlet.

I figure it's a marketing ploy to make their converters seem super high-powered. Or, if I put on my less paranoid hat, maybe it's just intended to have the effect that it does -- to make us think.

I got a 30 amp cord and will put a 20amp female end on it, for use at rv parks. I also bought a 20/15 adapter. When I stay at someone's house I will ask where they plug in a microwave or space heater without tripping a circuit :B.

Ya exactly
BFL13
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2016
It has a 20 amp cord/plug because it draws so many watts(VA) for input it would overheat 14 wire so it needs 12 wire size and the 20a circuit breaker.

It is not bogus. If you buy one, IMO follow the proper installation instructions.

Some other brands have Power Factor correction in their higher amp converters above 60 amp size. They can still use 15a circuits with 14 wire. so if you do want a higher amp converter, you have options.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 30, 2016
Space heater is not considered a continuous load device as it will cycle some(generally). Same as a hair dryer can go to 1875 due to short use. Actually I believe both of these ratings (1500 & 1875) are at 125 volts giving the max allowed by NEC at 12 amps (continuous) and 15 amps (short use)

Converter is a continuous rated (120 volt) device so the circuit is derated to 80% or 12 amp max on 15a circuit. Needs 20 amp circuit with 16 amp continuous rating. Amp load will actually increase to an extent with low voltage. Space heater the amps drop as voltage drops.

NEC defines continuous as 3 hours at max rating.
Naio
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2016
My 9280 came with the 20amp plug. Sticker on it says 1500 amps. I thought this was pretty bogus, considering that people routinely run 1500 amp space heaters on normal plug/outlet.

I figure it's a marketing ploy to make their converters seem super high-powered. Or, if I put on my less paranoid hat, maybe it's just intended to have the effect that it does -- to make us think.

I got a 30 amp cord and will put a 20amp female end on it, for use at rv parks. I also bought a 20/15 adapter. When I stay at someone's house I will ask where they plug in a microwave or space heater without tripping a circuit :B.
JamesJudasPries
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
That's interesting... Wonder if they changed the cord? A catalog from their website states 20 amp.

Seems overkill to me.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2016
My PD9180 came with a 15 amp configuration plug.

Richard

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PD 9180 needs 20 amp cord?

38 Replies

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