very old roof air - not giving up

PUCampin wrote:

If you can, try to plug your extension cord into a dedicated circuit that has nothing else on it, like a one in the garage for the washer.


Older ACs were usually built well and can last, the Westinghouse AC for my home is original 1981 and works within all it's design parameters, just uses a lot of electricity.

Funny you suggest that- it's exactly what i did. a dedicated outlet for the washer in the garage.

I am hoping this AC can last a while longer it looks retro like the camper (1975 Boles Aero) and it's very quiet.

I don't really care how inefficient it is if i am paying $30/night for the elctricity.

Take the top covers off and clean the condenser and evaporator fins. lots of dirt if never cleaned and will push head pressure and amps over the limits.
Art.

Where in your house are you plugging in? Likely the receptical you are pluggin into is not the only one on the circuit. It is not likely the old AC by itself overloading your house breaker, but a combination of the old AC and other stuff on the same circuit. If you previously used this extension cord and this receptical with a newer AC, the older one does probably draw more current.

If you can, try to plug your extension cord into a dedicated circuit that has nothing else on it, like a one in the garage for the washer.

I have this same issue. If I plug my trailer into the outdoor receptical on the side of my house, the AC will not run because there is too much other stuff on that circuit. I can still do other stuff, just not the AC. If I want to run the AC, I have to plug the trailer into the 120V receptical in the garage for my washing maching. It is a dedicated circuit, nothing else on it. AC works great!

Older ACs were usually built well and can last, the Westinghouse AC for my home is original 1981 and works within all it's design parameters, just uses a lot of electricity.

I have a pretty heavy extension cord, and it's only 30 feet.
And in the past, on other RV's I've been able to run a 13.5 roof air over this cord but they were newer units.

So my question is, if it is not the cord, can it be anythign else that might be reparable? I was an aricraft electrician in another life. Given a little information i can troubleshoot anything and right now it would be easier to take a meter to this AC unit than to drive to a campgraound.

Thanks

We don't have any information about your extension cord but most are only rated for 10 AMPS and only a few are rated at 15.

Could be the extension cord. I wouldn't reccommend using one with the A/C as they typically pull 16-20amps starting and 12 or so running. Well worth your trying at a cg or on a 30amp circuit.