Running Two 20A loads from a single breaker
I saw this advertised in the new issue of RV Business:
Parallax Power ALS-20
This device functions similar to a transfer switch of sorts....the way it works it allows you to connect two 20A loads to one 20A breaker. One load is defined as primary and the other is defined as secondary or "sheddable".
For example let's say you wire the microwave (primary) and the HW heater (secondary or sheddable) through this device to a single 20A breaker. The HW heater can stay on, but as soon as you turn on the microwave, the ALS-20 senses the demand and temporarily turns off the HW heater to allow the microwave to have access to the full 20 amps. When the microwave clicks off, the device restores power to the HW heater.
The obvious question is why not just install two breakers, but I recall reading that the NEC limits the number of branch circuits that you can install in an RV. I believe the typical 30A service is limited to a total of 6 breakers, one main and 5 branch circuits.
With many of the new RVs coming with 1500W "fireplaces" installed, it would make sense to wire the fireplace as a secondary load behind the microwave or the kitchen outlet string.
parallax claims this device is UL and also approved by code. Thought I would share this if anyone had a need for a device like this....also for troubleshooting electrical gremlins, newer RV's are likely to have one or more of these installed if equipped with accessories like fireplaces.
Parallax Power ALS-20
This device functions similar to a transfer switch of sorts....the way it works it allows you to connect two 20A loads to one 20A breaker. One load is defined as primary and the other is defined as secondary or "sheddable".
For example let's say you wire the microwave (primary) and the HW heater (secondary or sheddable) through this device to a single 20A breaker. The HW heater can stay on, but as soon as you turn on the microwave, the ALS-20 senses the demand and temporarily turns off the HW heater to allow the microwave to have access to the full 20 amps. When the microwave clicks off, the device restores power to the HW heater.
The obvious question is why not just install two breakers, but I recall reading that the NEC limits the number of branch circuits that you can install in an RV. I believe the typical 30A service is limited to a total of 6 breakers, one main and 5 branch circuits.
With many of the new RVs coming with 1500W "fireplaces" installed, it would make sense to wire the fireplace as a secondary load behind the microwave or the kitchen outlet string.
parallax claims this device is UL and also approved by code. Thought I would share this if anyone had a need for a device like this....also for troubleshooting electrical gremlins, newer RV's are likely to have one or more of these installed if equipped with accessories like fireplaces.
