Question on use of electric coffee maker in RV

I have a similar coffee maker. No issues. I make my coffee outside as my DW doesn't like the smell of coffee, so I am plugged into the outside outlet. She can run the microwave (on it's own breaker) at the same time. 650 watts is about 5-1/2 amps draw.

You'll be fine with your coffee machine. If you have any doubts, the MOST that will happen is, if you pull too much power and exceed your camper's 30 amp or 50 amp limit, the main breaker in the camper OR the breaker at the campground electric pedestal will pop. If that happens, simply turn something off (like your air conditioner or electric hair dryer or microwave), reset the popped breaker and make your coffee. No damage, using more power than you have available will just result in a popped breaker. If this happens, you'll figure out real fast what electric components can be used at the same time and which ones draw too much to be used with others. Bring it along and enjoy your coffee. (tip: If you air conditioner is turned off when you make coffee, chances are, you'll have ample power for your coffee machine.)

Thanks for your note. So assuming other electricals aren't in use, I should be able to plug it in on the inside as well?

pylotguy1 wrote:
Thanks for your note. So assuming other electricals aren't in use, I should be able to plug it in on the inside as well?

Yep. Shouldn't be an issue. Pulls much less current than your wife's hair dryer!

pylotguy1,

Invest in a Kill-a-Watt meter.

Do you only want to camp in major campgrounds or RV parks with electric hook ups? Personally I try to avoid such places and do almost all of my camping without 110V electricity. A simple Mellita filter system works great and only requires hot water from the propane stove.

Another "Tip".

Bring along an extra 50 foot or 100 foot extension cord (like an orange one that's used for hedge trimmers or electric power tools around the house.)

Almost every campground (campsite) has both 30 amp and 20 amp receptacles at the power post. Some even have all 3: 50, 30, and 20 amp receptacles. Now, plug your camper into the appropriate receptacle (probably the 30 amp). And then, plug in that 100 foot secondary household extension cord, and you can use it external of your camper. It won't pull anything from the camper or the electricity available for the camper.

When we run an electric heater inside the camper, it's always plugged in with an orange cord, separate from the camper. I also use the orange cord for cooking outside on our electric griddle and electric skillet. We now have 2 flat electric griddles, and if both are plugged into the camper and the air conditioner and/or the water heater turns on, it almost always pops the breakers. Using the extra electric line, there is plenty of power for anything and everything.

So, if you have a 50 or 100 foot extension cord, bring it along. You'll find it very handy, especially if you want to plug anything into power outside the camper.

Do you need five cups or will one cup work? There are one cup coffee makers but they probably draw as much but not for as long a time.

650/120 amps

pylotguy1 wrote:
Thanks for your note. So assuming other electricals aren't in use, I should be able to plug it in on the inside as well?

Yup. Just like at home.