How to break out rear A/C power from 30 amp service?

[colonelcorto]

As the title implies, my 30 amp service is not enough to run both of my A/C units. We recently stayed at a campground in Nevada and had to run the generator for about 6 hours during the hottest part of the day. I have an adapter to plug my 30 amp service into a 50 amp outlet but that, of course, doesn't stop my intellitec unit from shedding one of the A/C units. I would like sever the rear A/C from the 30 amp service in a manor that will allow me to plug it into an external 20 amp source and yet be able to easily reconnect it so it can run on the generator when traveling. 1996 Fleetwood Southwind 36 LS.

[Pirate1]

http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/dual_power_adapter.html

[wa8yxm]

Again I will post the PSRV solution and some notes

Original: 30amp on many rvs
Breaker----Transfer switch and generator-----A/C

Modified
Breaker----Transfer switch and generator------Outlet/plug--breaker---A/C

They disconnected the A/C at the generator junction box and wireds it to a "inlet" (*I call it a plug in the diagram) with a 20 anp breaker then on to teh A/C.
NOTE: all added wiring is 12 ga and I really suggest 20 amp connectors, (I used 15's)

On many 30 amp with generator the transfer switch switches the line from the breaker panel to the generator then for some reason Well.. Look up the transfer switch wiring diagrams.

On my 50 amnp rv is was easier since the line runs direct from the breaker to the A/C.. I just unhooked it from the power panel, added a junction box and ran both the 20 anmp line from the breaker (12 ga wire) and the junction box, to an outside comnpartment where I plug 'em into each other.. Works great.

Oh and also use 12 ga extension cords.

[Busskipper]

Will this help From a really old post.

Best of Luck,

[Triker33]

colonelcorto wrote:

So if I read this right you have two 30 amp shore cords? Do you use a 50 amp to (2) 30 amp y-connector?

I have 2 30AMP cords going to the shore power box.
The OEM one I plug into the 50AMP using a 50 to 30 Adapter
The new breaker box 30AMP cord I plug into the shore box 30AMP. As you can see by the picture of the new 35AMP breaker box it has a 30AMP male connection to power it.

I have custom made myself a dog bone 50AMP to 2 30AMP outlet cords and only use it, if shore power only has a 50AMP output. For the few campgrounds with that set up.

[colonelcorto]

Triker33 wrote:
On my 30AMP MH I added a 35AMP box that uses a 30AMP cord to the shore box. The OEM 30AMP cord I use a adapter for the 50AMP shore box.

I placed the box in the compartment right under the OEM breaker box. Then ran a wire up to the breaker box and put a female end on it and put a female end on the AC breaker box wire. I put a male end on the wire that goes to the front AC. Now I can use the outside 30AMP or the inside when wanting to use the generator.

I put mine on the front AC because it is a 15K heat pump and bedroom AC is a 13.5K cool only. In breaker box to front AC is a 20AMP breaker and a 15AMP for outside use.

Breaker box in outside compartment

So if I read this right you have two 30 amp shore cords? Do you use a 50 amp to (2) 30 amp y-connector?

[pianotuna]

Yes, but I'd stick with outlets rather than a transfer switch.

[colonelcorto]

I have been thinking about this and have an idea. Couldn't I just use a disconnect or set of recepticals to unhook the generator? I could then have a second shore cord (50 amp) in place of the generator. When plugged in, the coach would see the voltage and think the generator was running and transfer. My generator output is 41.7 amps, so I should gain 11.7 additional amps before my coach sheds one or both of the A/C units. This seems like the most simple solution, when I want to use the generator I simply flip the transfer switch or plug back into the receptical powered by the generator instead of the shore cord. Any problems here?

[Triker33]

On my 30AMP MH I added a 35AMP box that uses a 30AMP cord to the shore box. The OEM 30AMP cord I use a adapter for the 50AMP shore box.

I placed the box in the compartment right under the OEM breaker box. Then ran a wire up to the breaker box and put a female end on it and put a female end on the AC breaker box wire. I put a male end on the wire that goes to the front AC. Now I can use the outside 30AMP or the inside when wanting to use the generator.

I put mine on the front AC because it is a 15K heat pump and bedroom AC is a 13.5K cool only. In breaker box to front AC is a 20AMP breaker and a 15AMP for outside use.

Breaker box in outside compartment

[time2roll]

I would add a 5-15 inlet and a transfer switch to that A/C branch circuit.

[tropical36]

colonelcorto wrote:
As the title implies, my 30 amp service is not enough to run both of my A/C units. We recently stayed at a campground in Nevada and had to run the generator for about 6 hours during the hottest part of the day. I have an adapter to plug my 30 amp service into a 50 amp outlet but that, of course, doesn't stop my intellitec unit from shedding one of the A/C units. I would like sever the rear A/C from the 30 amp service in a manor that will allow me to plug it into an external 20 amp source and yet be able to easily reconnect it so it can run on the generator when traveling. 1996 Fleetwood Southwind 36 LS.

Splitting the circuit to the rear ac with a plug and receptacle is the preferred method and what POWER SOLUTIONS used to sell that included common hardware items. The info covered every situation that one might encounter with these different setups.
I did this years ago to our Tropical and still have all the info, so if anyone would like having it, send me a pm, with your email addy and I'll send along what I have.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I've added 2 additional shore power cords. I used male and female plugs mounted in the 120 volt AC distribution panel.

I've added a Microair Easy Start which has reduced surge to under 20 amps.

[TNGW1500SE]

My last TT was only 30 amp so I added a new 4 space panel (50 amp) and wired the existing panel to the new panel using a 30 amp breaker in the new panel. That made the factory panel a "sub panel". Then I moved the A/C from the old panel to the new panel and wired it up to a 20 amp breaker. I installed a new 50 amp power cord and connected the cable to a 50 (as a main) in the new panel.

I also added a outlet for and electric heater to the A/C breaker. I figured that nobody would ever run the heat and A/C at the same time.

I bought a 30 to 50 adapter so if I camped at a 30 amp only site, I could still plug in but only have 30 amps.

The TT used to trip the main at times but after the "upgrade" all those problems were solved.

I located the new panel where the power cord came into the TT and used the factory 10 gauge "hard" wire for the sub feed. Then ran a new 12 gauge wire (in plastic conduit) under the TT from the new panel to the A/C wiring (I had removed from the "sub") and connected it in a new junction box. Note: If you wanted to, you could use your old power cord for this if you cut the plug off. The wire is overkill but not by much and you already have it.

I un-bonded the sub and bonded the new panel.

I think a had a couple of hundred bucks in the upgrade. The wire was the most expensive item.

It's not a "true" 50 amp upgrade but it gets the "factory installed overload" off your 30 amp "maxed out" panel and really does away with a lot of problems.

The wife could dry her hair while I made coffee with the A/C on and the water heater running.

If you don't understand any of this, DON'T DO IT! LOL

[wa8yxm]

There used to be a company PSRV (Power Solutions RV)..

Now they did it at the generator junction box.. Many 30 amp RV's have a dedicated line at the generator that runs the Rear A/C but .. Any spot along the DEDICATED line to the rear A/C (any wire that goes NO PLACE ELSE.

Mine is a 50 amp RV so I did it at the breaker box.

Orignial

Breaker------- Rear AC (mine)

30 amp

ORiginal Breaker----Transfer switch and generator----A/C

Modified

Mine---Breaker-------Outlet-Plug-----A/C

Yours

Breaker----Switch/generator----Outlet--Plug-20amp breaker---a/C

(I choose to trust the park breakers)

[cwit]

On my 04 fleetwood Flair I have a junction box just outside of my generator. Wires from gen. Goes into this box. You have 12 gague wires and 10 gague wires. The 12 gague run your front ac and the 10 gague run fest of the camper. I took the 12 gauge out of the box and put a female end on the wires that go into camper and male end that go from gen. This allows me to plug my ac into a separate lead cord back to panel box. When you use gen. Just plug the 2 ends together. I have done this for over3 years in fl. Works great.