Generator sizing issues?
I have a 2017 Jayco 273 Toy Hauler (30 amp) with a single 13,500 BTU AC (according to their website). It has gas/electric water heater and fridge, micro, 2 (TV's), digital antenna, stereo and LED lig...
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Www.calculator.net voltage drop calculator
Voltage will drop over a wire's length and gage (AWG). The amount of drop depends on the amperage load.
I used a Kil-a-Watt meter (~$25 at Harbor Freight) that you plug into your outlets or inlets. It's made for a standard house 15 amp Edison plug. So I run an extension cable from my source to the meter, then into the TT using a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter. Then I turned on various items one at a time to measure the wattage/amps used and how much voltage loss I had. I also metered using multiple items turned on at the same time. So I now have a good idea of what I can run together, given the length of extension cords I used, all 12ga.
I've not run any 30 amp or 10 AWG extension cables while measuring.
The amount of voltage drop can be significant based on AWG & cable length. I actually ran 195 feet of 12AWG from my circuit breaker box to my TT at one spot on my property. My voltage read 112VAC at the TT inlet with just the 12VDC converter powered. Add fridge, 109.7VAC. Cut fridge, turn on Air Conditioner, 100.7VAC. I no longer consider parking the TT there ;)
On the concrete pad out my back door, very little drop with 45-50' of wire.
At my current storage site, about 85-90 cable feet from the CB box, 107.7VAC with the AC on but within operating specs. I did add a Progressive Industries EMS install unit so I don't need the Kil-a-Watt to measure amperage use and voltage on the whole TT. But it would shut down all power coming in if I was to use that 190' spot due to low voltage.
Starting amp draw on motors increases by 50% or more when starting.
Voltage will drop over a wire's length and gage (AWG). The amount of drop depends on the amperage load.
I used a Kil-a-Watt meter (~$25 at Harbor Freight) that you plug into your outlets or inlets. It's made for a standard house 15 amp Edison plug. So I run an extension cable from my source to the meter, then into the TT using a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter. Then I turned on various items one at a time to measure the wattage/amps used and how much voltage loss I had. I also metered using multiple items turned on at the same time. So I now have a good idea of what I can run together, given the length of extension cords I used, all 12ga.
I've not run any 30 amp or 10 AWG extension cables while measuring.
The amount of voltage drop can be significant based on AWG & cable length. I actually ran 195 feet of 12AWG from my circuit breaker box to my TT at one spot on my property. My voltage read 112VAC at the TT inlet with just the 12VDC converter powered. Add fridge, 109.7VAC. Cut fridge, turn on Air Conditioner, 100.7VAC. I no longer consider parking the TT there ;)
On the concrete pad out my back door, very little drop with 45-50' of wire.
At my current storage site, about 85-90 cable feet from the CB box, 107.7VAC with the AC on but within operating specs. I did add a Progressive Industries EMS install unit so I don't need the Kil-a-Watt to measure amperage use and voltage on the whole TT. But it would shut down all power coming in if I was to use that 190' spot due to low voltage.
Starting amp draw on motors increases by 50% or more when starting.
