Can I use 20 amp service
If we are not going to run the A/C can we use20amp service safely? I o ly have 20 amp athome a dI use an adapter to run the fridge and lights but what if we need to use the furnace would that be safe?
Forum Discussion
AllegroD wrote:
As to the answers saying you can run your AC, that is technically correct but a very incomplete answer. You could be causing damage to your AC. If the voltage drops below 104, the AC will start accumulating damage. You are not likely to see it but it will likely cause your AC to fail before it's life expectancy.
If you want to run the AC, put in an EMS that can shut off electricity below 104 volts. I have been to a park where my PI EMS saw the electricity drop to 97 and then the PI shut off my electricity. If you do not have an EMS, at least get a Kill-A-Watt to monitor electricity, when you turn on the AC.
Assuming you are fairly close to the outlet and you use your 30amp cord with an adapter at the 20 amp outlet, voltage drop is unlikely to be any more of an issue than if you plugged into a 30amp outlet at a campground.
That isn't to say, you shouldn't keep an eye on voltage (we have a meter always plugged in where we can see it plus an autofomrer to boost low voltage) but unlike at a campground, most houses don't have the same voltage drop issues. It's rare for a household system to be pushed to it's amperage limits. Particularly older campgrounds are often undersized systems based on 40-50yrs ago when many RV's didn't even have air/con. So when it's 90F on a holiday weekend, every site is pulling heavy loads and the voltage sags.
Now if you are stringing together 150ft of thin cheap extension cords, voltage drop may be a big issue.
