Forum Discussion

babamartha's avatar
babamartha
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020

Running a/c on house current

I'm told that my Kodiak 160SVT a/c should be able to run on household current. It's plugged in via extension cord to an outside outlet. My microwave only works on 30 amps and so I'm thinking the same is true of my a/c. What's the truth?

My household a/c is down and I'm wondering if I can just sleep in my camper. We're in a heat wave here in Maryland.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 20, 2020
    Plus the typical 15A household plug is one of several on the circuit. Meaning other househould loads on that circuit need to be considered.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 20, 2020
    babamartha wrote:
    My extension cord is one of those orange 25' jobs.
    It could be 16ga (small) and even aluminum wire. Get at least 12ga if not 10ga.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jul 20, 2020
    I spent a week in my fiver with the 15k ac running off a regular, household outlet..

    I just ran my 50 amp cord to the outlet and use a 50-30 reducer plugged into a 30 to 110 reducer.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Jul 20, 2020
    I know it's a little late right now, but for future reference, have an electrician run you a dedicated 30 amp receptacle, i did, and it is well worth it, I would have done it myself but I'm not all that comfy working with electrical.
  • smarty's avatar
    smarty
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2020
    a 25foot heavy duty extension cord is not that expensive
    frying your hvac unit due to low voltage will be much more expensive
    be safe and purchase a heavy duty cord
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 20, 2020
    Hi BabaMartha,

    It would be best to use a heavy duty cord, and do monitor the voltage. If it drops below 107, then it may be best to not use the air conditioner.
  • freetime58's avatar
    freetime58
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2020
    babamartha wrote:
    I'm told that my Kodiak 160SVT a/c should be able to run on household current. It's plugged in via extension cord to an outside outlet. My microwave only works on 30 amps and so I'm thinking the same is true of my a/c. What's the truth?

    My household a/c is down and I'm wondering if I can just sleep in my camper. We're in a heat wave here in Maryland.


    Most (almost all) 13,500 BTU a/c's will run off a 15 amp circuit, but that's all........make sure you don't use anything else in the TT. Use at least a 10 gauge ext cord if you have to but better yet, use a 30 to 15 amp adapter and plug the TT cord directly into the outlet.

    No harm in trying to see if the circuit will support the ac.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2020
    If everything else electrical is off you should be able to run your A/C. However, use a heavy duty extension cord if you need more length. No “truth” issue here. Just a different view. Consider reading about basic RV electricity online. Determining what each item needs to start and then to run is easy to learn.

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