I've been told that running the AC for my 2005 B Touring Cruiser Gulfstream off my house current can burn out the AC's air compressor. I've also been told that's not true, that the worst that will happen if there isn't enough current is that a fuse will blow. Unfortunately the difference of opinion has turned into some very bad feelings between friends. I'm still shaking. Please help me understand if you can. I'm new to all this. Evidently as an older, single woman I will be lied to and cheated at every turn. At least that's what I'm being told. (Yes, I'm so upset that I'm sniveling 8-) )Thanks

You can do it if:If your rig is wired for 50 Amp service:You have a correctly wired 50 Amp RV outlet into which you can plug the RV.If you need an extension cord, use only a 50 Amp RV extension cord.------If your rig is wired for 30 Amp service:You have a *correctly wired 30 Amp RV outlet into which you can plug the RV.If you need an extension cord, use only a 30 Amp RV extension cord.* Make sure the electrician knows how to wire an RV outlet.

It depends.... If your house is wired for 15 amp circuits (check your breaker panel/fuse box) the odds are the breaker/fuse will blow. If your house is wired for 20 amp circuits (mine is, many are) odds are the 30-amp to 15-amp adapter will melt, or the outlet will melt. The reason is, while the circuit is 20 amps, the outlet is only 15.My circuit is 20 amps, and I installed a 30 amp outlet....former, well.... electrician, electrical engineer (with degree), etc, yes I probably do know what I'm talking about.

If you are using a 15a circuit, then yes, it may or may not hurt your AC. If using a 20a circuit, then it will most likely not have any effect on it. With a 30a circuit(recommended) it will have NO effect on it and the RV will think it is just plugged into electric at a camp ground. AC electricity is electricity, no matter where it comes from, but the amount needed to operate certain appliances does make a difference.

Your house would have to have a specicfic line to handle either the 30amp or 50amp service needed to run a A/C.I have heard, some think the DRYER outlet looks like a RV style outlet and plugging into that will FRY your RV electronics because totatlly different.Normal house plugs/outlets of a house are not strong enough(amperage i think) to run the AC, I keep my plugged in at home, just to run lights and fridge when getting ready to travel.Sure some electricians will speak up on if you tried to run AC on a "Normal" line, (I am guessing will through the breaker that line is on in the house). Not sure if it could damage AC compressor.Markiemark

camperpaul wrote:....* Make sure the electrician knows how to wire an RV outlet.What he said. Many electricians look at a NEMA 30-TT (RV 30 amp) and think it's a 220, this results in bad things happening to RVsWith a class B, it's very unlikely you have a 50 amp

Running AC off of my home's current/Please Respond

AllegroD
Nomad
May 28, 2013
Olive600 wrote:

Thank you, your response helps a lot. Now I feel like I have the whole picture. I also understand my particular situation better. I need to:

1. find out if the /circuit I'm using has anything else on it. My washing machine is inside the house and too far away from the RV to be useful.

This is important if a fan or washing machine robs volts/drops your volts below 108 or causing an overload and tripping the breaker.

2. check the power in the RV when I'm running the RV from the house outlet by plugging in a voltmeter. The reading should not drop below 108v.

Absolutely correct.

I checked my extension cord. It's 30amp, 125v, 3750watts. The label says it's for RV use. I think it's about 25ft long. Maybe a bit longer.

Thank you to everyone who has responded. I feel fully informed now.

You are on target.
Pauljdav
Explorer
May 28, 2013
You can run your AC from the house as long as you do not have voltage drop. All you need to do is check the voltage in your RV with the AC running. I can run mine all day long and it stays above 110 volts.

Paul
LittleBill
Explorer
May 28, 2013
it is unbelievable the amount of the******written in this thread.

this is a single line answer.

plug in the A/C, turn it on. watch the voltage in the trailer on and off for a couple hours. does it stay over 108v's? if yes your fine, if not get a bigger extension cord, or find a new outlet. PERIOD

been running off my 15 amp outlet for years on my 13.5k
Gau_8
Explorer
May 27, 2013
fla-gypsy wrote:
insufficient amperage (under 20A the breaker will trip).

Dont think so Chief.
The_Texan
Explorer
May 24, 2013
kaydeejay wrote:
Olive600 wrote:
Thank you everyone. I do not have a "special RV line" at my house. It's unlikely that I will get one.
Just curious as to why you would not get an RV outlet installed. Then you would never need worry about this situation ever again. You could run the A/C and other appliances up to the 30A limit of your circuit breaker just as if you were at a campground.
If your electrical panel is not too far from where you would want such an outlet, installation costs should not be through the roof.
May not be the homeowner...may not have the resources to get it done, lots of reasons and IMO, no ones business but hers.
joebedford
Nomad II
May 24, 2013
kaydeejay wrote:
Just curious as to why you would not get an RV outlet installed. Then you would never need worry about this situation ever again. You could run the A/C and other appliances up to the 30A limit of your circuit breaker just as if you were at a campground.
If your electrical panel is not too far from where you would want such an outlet, installation costs should not be through the roof.
I have TWO 30A RV circuits near my breaker panel for when friends come to visit.

Unfortunately, my RV normally sits about 200 cable feet away from that panel.

I plug it into a 15A GFCI to keep the batteries topped up. If I really need to run the AC, I unplug and start the generator.

Someday I'll get around to adding a 100A sub panel near my RV then add a 50A post using buried cable right beside its parking spot.
happybooker1
Explorer
May 24, 2013
Olive600, as another Ahem 'mature' woman owning an RV I feel your pain. Luckily my brother is an electrician and my neighbor a mechanical engineer so I have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips.

My house was built in '03. I have outside plugs that are dedicated for ONLY the outside/porch plugs. They are also on 20A breakers (be friends with your breaker box!). I can plug my RV, which is a 30A RV, into the outside outlet with a SHORT high-rated extension cord and run the AC. I do NOT run anything else when I've got the AC on in the RV, except maybe a light. I have never tripped the breaker or had a problem.

The key here being my house is fairly new, the outdoor plugs have nothing else plugged into them, and the extension cord is THICK and SHORT (i.e. more wire for the current to flow through).
kaydeejay
Explorer
May 24, 2013
Olive600 wrote:
Thank you everyone. I do not have a "special RV line" at my house. It's unlikely that I will get one.
Just curious as to why you would not get an RV outlet installed. Then you would never need worry about this situation ever again. You could run the A/C and other appliances up to the 30A limit of your circuit breaker just as if you were at a campground.
If your electrical panel is not too far from where you would want such an outlet, installation costs should not be through the roof.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
gees I am not going to read thru all this stuff.

I been plugging my fifth wheel into the 20 amp plug in the garage for 14 years at this house and all is well.

Plug er in Olive and kick back.
Olive600
Explorer
May 23, 2013
PUCampin wrote:
Depending on the age of the house, outdoor outlets might be on a dedicated circuit, and other garage outlets may also be on a dedicated circuit (even if the washer is inside the house) My home was built in 1981, and code at the time did not require outside or garage outlets to be on dedicated circuits, but I believe more recent code does require it. So if the house is newer you may have that already. If not, find which breaker controls the outlet your RV is plugged into. When it is off, see what else in the house is off. Walk around with a small desk lamp and try plugging it in to various outlets to test. Most likely to be affected are outlets inside rooms adjcent to the outside outlet.

If you aren't a teacher, you should be. I'll do all this tomorrow morning. Thanks again.