Want to test AC before heading south - no 30a service.

[Mickeyfan0805]

We are headed to TN and then on to FL in July. This will be our first trip of the year and, given the temps we will be facing, I'd like to test the AC before we leave - just to make sure it is in working order. We have no 30a plug at home. Other than pulling into a campground somewhere, is there any option anyone can suggest to do a quick test on the unit?

[Mickeyfan0805]

Thanks all - I'll check it out. I appreciate the input.

[tragusa3]

We do this often on a 20amp service from family and friends garages. Works out fine. It will trip if we put the hot water on electric or try the microwave or coffee pot. We've learned to manage just fine. We don't turn off the other breakers with 20amp service, but we do when using our 2400 generator. The most surprising draw in our camper is the convertor that charges the battery.

[BruceMc]

(Just joking, son) Or you could have a qualified electrician install a 30a 120V RV receptacle for you.... but do you trust any "qualified" electricians??? (/joke)

To reiterate: 15A or 20A will do ya, yea, that's the ticket!

[beemerphile1]

Any 15 or 20 amp circuit should operate it providing the A/C is the only thing on the circuit.

[Lwiddis]

Test the generator, rk? Oh!

[sgfrye]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:

• Outlet in your garage has 20-amp service. Looks like 15-amp but has a cross-cut in the neutral slot
• Use a 12 gauge extension cord
• Flip breakers inside rig to turn off everything but the A/C
• The A/C should start and run. As long an nothing else is connected the 20 amp breaker will carry the load.

X2

This is what we do.

Ac runs fine and our resindential fridge runs normal also.

Batteries charge, fridge gets cold and ac cools down the rig.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

Boomerweps wrote:

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I have connected several brands of 15K roof airs to a 20 amp receptacle.

Not only do they start fine, they RE-start fine against high head pressure. This is for testing not a permanent installation.

THIMK!

30 amp to 20 amp

Rigs connect to 30 amp service AND operate their hot water heater, refrigerator, and converter AND the 15K roof air...

What he said.

I picked up a Kill-A-Watt plug in meter at Harbor Freight on sale a while back. I took the time and plugged it in to my TT AC line using a 30 to 15 amp adapter. The house circuit it plugs into is 20 amp (former submariner, I have all my house circuit breakers and what they supply mapped out ;). My AC is a 13,500 BTU and measured a constant 12 amps on high. Actually 1446 watts.

I did the same till my killawatt burned up.

[wa8yxm]

Turn off all circuit breakers in RV save MAIN and A/C. use a 20 amp circuit and a 12ga extension cord. you can get those at Home Depot, Lowes or Sears/K-mart, The latter has one with a push button on the outlet. I like it.

[Boomerweps]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I have connected several brands of 15K roof airs to a 20 amp receptacle.

Not only do they start fine, they RE-start fine against high head pressure. This is for testing not a permanent installation.

THIMK!

30 amp to 20 amp

Rigs connect to 30 amp service AND operate their hot water heater, refrigerator, and converter AND the 15K roof air...

What he said.

I picked up a Kill-A-Watt plug in meter at Harbor Freight on sale a while back. I took the time and plugged it in to my TT AC line using a 30 to 15 amp adapter. The house circuit it plugs into is 20 amp (former submariner, I have all my house circuit breakers and what they supply mapped out ;). My AC is a 13,500 BTU and measured a constant 12 amps on high. Actually 1446 watts.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

PROFILE

2006 Suburban 2500 with 8.1L engine, 4.1 gears, upgraded hitch and MaxBrake controller towing a 2013 Rockwood 8312ss.

[rk911]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
We are headed to TN and then on to FL in July. This will be our first trip of the year and, given the temps we will be facing, I'd like to test the AC before we leave - just to make sure it is in working order. We have no 30a plug at home. Other than pulling into a campground somewhere, is there any option anyone can suggest to do a quick test on the unit?

how about running your generator?

[Lwiddis]

Using a 20 amp circuit is how I test the AC appliances...one by one. Agree with the above comment regarding 12 gauge extension cord, and keep that cord short as you can.

[Sam_Spade]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
We are headed to TN and then on to FL in July.

You will be coming to Florida in July....hurricane season....without a generator ??? Probably NOT a good plan.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I have connected several brands of 15K roof airs to a 20 amp receptacle.

Not only do they start fine, they RE-start fine against high head pressure. This is for testing not a permanent installation.

THIMK!

30 amp to 20 amp

Rigs connect to 30 amp service AND operate their hot water heater, refrigerator, and converter AND the 15K roof air...