Electrical question(s)

[mikemc53]

OK, so I have read where poor electrical (high/low/intermittent voltage) at campgrounds can cause some real problems. I understand that, and the need for surge and low voltage protection. My question(s) runs more toward available amperage.

Many RVs have the 30/50 amp option and I can see where adapters help. But what if you are at a location that only offers 15 or 20 amp service? I would guess that AC is out of the question there but what about anything or everything else? Can you run your RV off of 15 amp service? I know that certain things wold come into play (coffee makers and hair dryers have a fairly high draw)but can you operate for short periods of time on low amp service? And if so what limitations are there with that? Fridge, etc. Also, does the battery charge while on shore power and will that low amp service still charge the battery?

Just feelin my way through...in advance.

Thanks.

[Dustytuu]

Why can you not put your fridge on gas while there? That would allow other electrical use maybe.

[bisaacs]

Keep an eye on your voltage if you're thinking of running any A/C. It can get very expensive if it drops below about 107 volts while it's running. I was recently in an old campground and the voltage measured only 97V.

[myredracer]

I don't think you will find many CGs that only offer 15/20 amp services unless very old, if any. You could end up in a busy CG with a small % of remaining sites only having 15/20 amps tho.

The current edition of the NEC requires an RV park to have a min. 70% of the services at 30 amps, 20% at 50 amps and the balance at 15/20 amps. The 2002 edition was the same except for requiring only 5% to be at 50 amps. Don't know what the code called for decades ago. I have seen older CGs (60/70s) with all 30 amps along with 15/20 amps but haven't seen a CG yet with predominantly or all 15/20 amp services but maybe there are some out there?

I think older CGs are also more likely to suffer low voltage problems due to the way they wired them up compared to the loop-fed pedestals that are common now. We're at a T/T at the moment in Wa. with an older wiring system and the voltage ranges from 122V at night to 108V in the daytime, and that's with nobody running AC units because it isn't warm enough around here and the CG only a bit over 50% full. I think if a lot of AC units were running and the CG was full, the voltage could get really low here. (Water pressure here is bad too...)

Basically, if you have a choice in CGs to book and want to be able to run your AC(s) and other loads, stay away from older CGs.

[BB_TX]

My 15k AC will run on 20 amp but will trip a 15 amp breaker. Obviously you can't run much else at the same time.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Monitor the voltage. I routinely run the air conditioner and fridge at the same time on a 15 amp circuit. So long as I am above 107 volts, all is well.

I would purchase an autoformer before getting a surge low voltage cut out device.

Another way to skin this cat is to use a hybrid load support inverter charger such as the ones by Victron or Magnum.

[Water-Bug]

On 15 or 20 amp service, fridge and hot water go on propane. If AC is running, one TV no lights or lights no TV. Hair dryers, curling irons, electric skillets, area heaters and power tools are out. If running sliders, Jacks or levelers everything else is off. On 15 or 20 amp service pretend you'really boondocking.

[westend]

I think you have a pretty good handle on it. A/C may run on a 15 or 20 amp service. May not, depends on ambient, A/C draw, etc. Most everything else will run on a single 15 or 20 amp service.

[wa8yxm]

On 20 amps you can run one A/C. IF the batteries are full up.. You may have enough left over for the TV.. But I would avoid even the Fridge on ELECTRIC.

Actually if your convrter is big enough a couple hours and you should be able to fire up A/C.

My storage site (when I had a house) had a TT-30 outlet but only 20 amps.

Now days on 20 anp sites I break out my primary convrter and feed just it and sometimes ONE A/C. (I can break that out too) Works well so long as I do not use inverter to power Microwave.

[lawnspecialties]

I have a 15A plug in my house garage that we use to keep power to the camper when we're loading up for a trip while it sits in the driveway. If everything is off, it will actually run the AC. But if anything else of value turns on, it will trip the breaker.