We are headed to TN and then on to FL in July. This will be our first trip of the year and, given the temps we will be facing, I'd like to test the AC before we leave - just to make sure it is in working order. We have no 30a plug at home. Other than pulling into a campground somewhere, is there any option anyone can suggest to do a quick test on the unit?

Outlet in your garage has 20-amp service. Looks like 15-amp but has a cross-cut in the neutral slotUse a 12 gauge extension cordFlip breakers inside rig to turn off everything but the A/CThe A/C should start and run. As long an nothing else is connected the 20 amp breaker will carry the load.

Plug into a normal 20A circuit at home and try it without using other major appliances/devices (fridge off, water heater off electric, house batteries more or less charged so the converter isn't working overtime, etc.). The air conditioner on its own is fine on a 20A circuit; it has one in the RV, in fact. It's just the total of the air conditioner plus not very much else that could overload it. If all you have are 15A circuits, that could be a difficulty.If you have an appropriately sized generator, you can check both at the same time.

When we had a Class C with a 13500 Coleman Mach A/C, we could run it on a 20A branch circuit that had nothing else on it. I don't think that setup would run the 15000 unit on our present RV. Part of the issue will be your adapter and any extension cord(s). I installed a 30A RV Receptacle and weatherproof cover so I could use the RV's shore tie cable and no adapter. How old is your RV's A/C? If more than a couple years, have you cleaned it? I thought I'd have replace the old 13500. Cleaning the Evaporator at the front of the unit (requires removing shrouding) restored good performance and that A/C was over 20 years old.

I have connected several brands of 15K roof airs to a 20 amp receptacle.Not only do they start fine, they RE-start fine against high head pressure. This is for testing not a permanent installation.THIMK!30 amp to 20 ampRigs connect to 30 amp service AND operate their hot water heater, refrigerator, and converter AND the 15K roof air...

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:We are headed to TN and then on to FL in July. You will be coming to Florida in July....hurricane season....without a generator ??? Probably NOT a good plan.

Want to test AC before heading south - no 30a service.

marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Jun 04, 2018
Boomerweps wrote:
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I have connected several brands of 15K roof airs to a 20 amp receptacle.

Not only do they start fine, they RE-start fine against high head pressure. This is for testing not a permanent installation.

THIMK!

30 amp to 20 amp

Rigs connect to 30 amp service AND operate their hot water heater, refrigerator, and converter AND the 15K roof air...

What he said.

I picked up a Kill-A-Watt plug in meter at Harbor Freight on sale a while back. I took the time and plugged it in to my TT AC line using a 30 to 15 amp adapter. The house circuit it plugs into is 20 amp (former submariner, I have all my house circuit breakers and what they supply mapped out ;). My AC is a 13,500 BTU and measured a constant 12 amps on high. Actually 1446 watts.

I did the same till my killawatt burned up.
sgfrye
Explorer
Jun 04, 2018
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Outlet in your garage has 20-amp service. Looks like 15-amp but has a cross-cut in the neutral slot
Use a 12 gauge extension cord
Flip breakers inside rig to turn off everything but the A/C
The A/C should start and run. As long an nothing else is connected the 20 amp breaker will carry the load.

X2

This is what we do.

Ac runs fine and our resindential fridge runs normal also.

Batteries charge, fridge gets cold and ac cools down the rig.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2018
Test the generator, rk? Oh!
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 05, 2018
Any 15 or 20 amp circuit should operate it providing the A/C is the only thing on the circuit.
BruceMc
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2018
(Just joking, son) Or you could have a qualified electrician install a 30a 120V RV receptacle for you.... but do you trust any "qualified" electricians??? (/joke)

To reiterate: 15A or 20A will do ya, yea, that's the ticket!
tragusa3
Explorer
Jun 05, 2018
We do this often on a 20amp service from family and friends garages. Works out fine. It will trip if we put the hot water on electric or try the microwave or coffee pot. We've learned to manage just fine. We don't turn off the other breakers with 20amp service, but we do when using our 2400 generator. The most surprising draw in our camper is the convertor that charges the battery.
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Jun 05, 2018
Thanks all - I'll check it out. I appreciate the input.

Forum Discussion

Want to test AC before heading south - no 30a service.

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Heading to Florida

Head Room Help

Almost head on

LED Head lights

where you headed