15 amp Questions

[uterep]

So we are looking at a long term 15 amp site . Never have camped at 15 amp site before only 30 amp .

So what issues am I going to find ?

Can I run my AC ? Can I run my AC on low and use a 1000 watt microwave ?

This is a full service site so don't have to worry about water pump.

Will run RV fridge on electricity , with the potential of running a second "bar" fridge in a outside shed .

Maybe furnace in the fall ??

Is there any device that can "boost" the amperage up to 30 ?? ( I doubt it ) but it is a standard "household" socket ...combine top and bottom plugs ??

Thanks for any tips ,tricks and advice

[uterep]

Thanks everyone

Really appreciate all this

[dougrainer]

The WEAKEST points in all this is 2 things.
1. Regardless of the sixe of the CG breaker, the RECEPTACLE is rated at 15 amps ONLY
2. The adapter down to the 15 amp from the 30 to 15. The adapter and its 3 15 amp pins are also not heavy enough to do a FULL 15 amp constant draw.
To the OP, If you do this watch the adapter from 30 to 15 and you will see it will get melted and the pins will get discolored and will look corroded. NOT GOOD as you are drawing more current that it can supply. Remember, the system WILL allow you to draw MORE than 15 amps. There is no magic wand that stops the excess current draw when you exceed 15 amps. The supply breakers and wiring will allow higher amp usage and the adapters will take the hit. Doug

[Wayne_Dohnal]

You will never be able to pull 15amps constantly on a 15amp c/b without it eventually tripping. They are good for 80% of thier rating for constant load. So your constant load should be no more than 12amps. JMHO.

The trip curve shows the breakers supporting 100% of their rating indefinitely. Eaton residential trip curves.

[john_bet]

You will never be able to pull 15amps constantly on a 15amp c/b without it eventually tripping. They are good for 80% of thier rating for constant load. So your constant load should be no more than 12amps. JMHO.

[AllegroD]

Use your 30 amp cable to the plug with adapter. A 12ga or smaller extension cord will incur voltage loss and the longer the run, the greater the loss. Every little thing will count.

[CA_Traveler]

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[CA_Traveler]

uterep wrote:
The CG is 15 amp 100%

Only the smallest AC would be expected to run.

Plus a 15A plug on a 15A CB could be wired with 14ga wire. But nothing beats experience so try it.

[BFL13]

Americans often say "20a" when they are actually talking about 15a as in Canada. (same amps different language)

Yes you can run the air conditioner on "15a" (it has a 20a circuit breaker in your Rv but ignore that for this exercise) We have run our 15size a/c on a 15a circuit at campgrounds and at home. But as others have said, nothing else on at the time. Fridge , water heater on gas, converter off or when on the batteries are full.

It is not a killer to have to turn off the air conditioner when you need to run the other things on 120v for a few minutes, then turn them off and turn the a/c back on.

Generally overall, expect to buy more propane to make up for the lack of 30a service.

[uterep]

The CG is 15 amp 100%

True about the house it was off my garage circuit with a household cord to my 30 amp in the 5er

[joebedford]

I can run (one of) my AC(s) on a 15A circuit if I run the 50A cord right to the plug and use a 50/30/15 dogbone converter. If a regular extension cord is involved, no way I can run air.

[CA_Traveler]

at home last year tried 15 amp and did blow home breaker ....was hoping that campground service would be "stronger" ...but great point about voltage drop

Are there multiple plugs on that circuit which is common in a house? Any additional loads reduce what the rig can draw.

A CG plug should be a DEDICATED 20A plug, not 15A. Ditto for a home plug.

[uterep]

Wow thanks for all the great responses .....yes water heater on propane

I can see your points ....... 1 ac unit ..have no idea what size ( I should know this ) 5'er is 26.5 feet so not a giant unit .

at home last year tried 15 amp and did blow home breaker ....was hoping that campground service would be "stronger" ...but great point about voltage drop


Thanks for the advice ...this will make me think twice about this site

( crazy thing there is a guy there with a 38 foot 5er 50 amp in ...running on the 15 amp ...crazy eh )

[hershey]

The majority of all the above is true. One thing that will help you deal with the 15 amps available is to run anything off of propane that has that capability...ie: water heater, refrigerator, cooking. Turn your converter down to it lowest charging capability. That little bugger can overload a 15 amp circuit all by itself if its allowed to.
Can you possibly run a second 15 amp circuit to the RV? If so, split the electrical to the converter and add a male plug and plug it into the second circuit. You can also do the same thing with the AC so that its the only thing on a single circuit. You have to get creative. I do this when parked in my sons driveway....I draw from three seperate 15/20 amp circuits and really don't have to monitor my usage much at all.

[time2roll]

Watch the voltage stays at 108+ in the RV if running the air. I would turn all other breakers off while cooling.

4 to 6 batteries and an inverter would give the power you need for a time... then you would need to let the converter charge the battery. Possibly about 450 watts of solar could keep that battery up while you use the 15a for the air. It will cost some real money to make these systems workable.