30 Amp vs 50 Amp

[d-mac1]

I've only boondocked to this point and going to some campgrounds beginning Saturday and the first one will only have 30 amp service. I've got a surge protector/power meter that I use at home when plugged in and will have that, but my question is, what will be the impact of only 30 amp service?

I'm guessing we'll be able to run the A/C (only have one unit), but not at same time as microwave. Hopefully we can run A/C and TV...or I'll hafta fire up the genny.

And what happens when you draw too much current?

Thanks.

[lamopar]

We are in the middle of a three week trip and have run AC and the micro with no problem on 30A. Lots of lights on but the fridge is on propane. I have not tried the coffee pot with the micro and fridge. We don't see any dimming of the lights when the AC cycles on like at home.

[BobWanderer]

Strabo wrote:
Remember.....More rv's on the campground service, the less amps for everyone, especially with all the ac's running. Dont be surprised that you dont have 30 amps to work with....

I know from experience.....

With that don't be surprised if you don't have 120V either.
Especially if your near the end of the "line".
I was surprised at the difference in voltage even at home with the A/C running, a 12 ga extension cord vs a 10 ga extension cord plugged directly into an outlet at the breaker box.

[Strabo]

Remember.....More rv's on the campground service, the less amps for everyone, especially with all the ac's running. Dont be surprised that you dont have 30 amps to work with....

I know from experience.....

[ken07734]

I can run everythng on 30 amp and only had it trip once when I used the hairdryer in the bathroom while the AC was on. It only tripped my TT circuit breaker and put me n battery.

[d-mac1]

Great guys. Sounds like we should be good. Appreciate it!

[BobWanderer]

I have 30A service and can run the "nuke" and the A/C as long as the compressor doesn't cycle on while the Micro is on.

[BB_TX]

I agree with the trial and error approach. The worse that will happen is you will trip the park breaker and have to go out and reset it. Been there, done that.

[time2roll]

Keep the fridge and water on propane and you should be fine.

[Halmfamily]

I can run both my 13500 and 15000 BTU A/C's as long as water heater is not on electric and no one uses microwave, even watch tv. I start one and then the other a few minutes later. Never had an issue, yet. Travel on.

[jf831024]

One AC should be no problem, the microwave or coffe pot will cause the breaker to trip.
You can try both AC units but if it is hot and they are working hard that too will make it trip.
It's a trial & error thing.
Good luck!

[naturist]

You should be able to run both the AC and the microwave at the same time. Most rigs with 30 amp hookups/converters have both and run 'em at the same time without issue. But you won't be able to run the washer/dryer combo or the second AC (the one you don't have anyway). The worst that will happen is you'll have to go reset the circuit breaker on the power pedestal. AC and TV shouldn't overtax 30 amp service unless you have one h**l of a TV!

30 amp service should support without issue a 3,600 watt load, and when the compressor on that AC starts up, you'll get a momentary 2400 or so surge, so there's usually room for a 1000 or 1200 watt microwave to be running.

But don't even think about the AC, the microwave, AND an electric coffee pot at the same time.