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Newbie with plugging into house question

justinae
Explorer
Explorer
Hi. First post here. I am getting acquainted with my grandfather's RV. It's a 2009 Sprinter Roadtrek. Not sure of all the specs to say but it has two deep cycle coach batteries and is based on 30 amp plugin.

I am trying to plug into my house circuit and can't seem to run anything. I initially plugged into a GFCI circuit and then read that that doesn't work so I've plugged into a 20 amp circuit that is not GFI protected and has absolutely no other draw on it. The batteries in the RV are low on their charge and perhaps that is the issue?

Anyway, it's no longer tripping the breaker, but I can't seem to run anything besides a fan and some lights, which I assume are just running off battery power. The fridge won't let me switch it to AC.

Is there a way to run off the 20 amp house circuit if I just limit the use to small draws, like TV /DVD and a light? Will the 20 amp eventually charge the battery? I wonder what the cost of doing that from the house is.

Looking forward to learning from all you seasoned RVers.

Thanks!
Justin
37 REPLIES 37

wbrown62
Explorer
Explorer
I have no problems running the small stuff off a GFCI in my garage and about 30' of extension cord. I plug in to cool the fridge before a trip and can also use the TV/DVD and lights. I do not turn on the A/C, micro or water heater. Not sure what your issue may be but someone on here can surely give you good advice. Good luck and sorry about your grandfather.
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justinae
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks! It would be a lot of fun to do this with grandpa, he was such a gadget tinkerer and I sure wish I had taken a trip with him. Next best is to take a trip in his memory.

jmconneely
Explorer
Explorer
I know where you are coming from Justinae, I have my uncle's 5th wheel. He passed back in February. I have so many questions with the little stuff that I can't figure out. Heck it took me a day or two to find out how to put the slide back in.

Good luck with getting it all figured out. Maybe you have a friend or neighbor that can give you some tips and pointers. You did the right thing by coming in here and looking for help.

justinae
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the quick replies. In reverse order, my grandfather passed, otherwise I would love to ask him. I did think about the fact that there must be a lot running that I don't notice, but I only plan to turn the TV/DVD on to watch a movie with my kid to get her interested in being in the RV. That doesn't turn on.

I probably won't look around for a 30 amp considering I have read a lot about people being able to run basic functions off of a 20 amp. I don't need Air Conditioning or even to run the fridge. Just want to test things out and see how they work.

How do I turn off the converter?

Thanks again!

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi Justin,

Think about asking your grandfather to help.
Regards, Don
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K_Charles
Explorer
Explorer
You have more running then you think you do. On only 20 amp You may need to turn off the converter and make sure the water heateer is not on AC. Find a good 30 amp somewhere.

2chiefsRus
Explorer
Explorer
Not familiar with your coach, hopefully someone else will post who know it. In the meantime, do you possibly have a shut off switch that you need to turn on? Does anything work if plugged into an outlet, like a TV or a lamp?
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Ka_Ron
Explorer
Explorer
Interesting problem.
We have a motor home (30AMP) that we plug into a 15 amp circuit at our house and we can run pretty much anything except the air conditioner.
When we are loading to go away the fridge is running on A/C and all the lights, fans,pump, etc work also.
Maybe you need to let the coach batteries charge and then see how it goes.