AC - 13,500 Will it work with 20amp Service

[308rets]

Hello Gang,

Can the 13,500 AC Unit be run on a 20amp Service and if so, can we cause damage to the unit?

We are heading to a Jeep Fest early summer and the campground has filled up quick. We may (or may not) get a site with electric and some of them are only 20amp. We'll take what we can get, just not sure if it's wise to run the AC Unit. If we end up with a site has no hookups, we'll tote our Yamaha 2400.

As always, thanks for everyone advise.

[RoyBraddy]

I have both my fifth wheel and off-road POPUP connected to my garage 15A/20A receptacle 24/7 when the units are here in the back yard.

I use a 50-foot 10-GAUGE (10-3) HD extension cord plugged into the 120VAC Garage Receptacles (on different circuit breakers in the house) and are connected to the trailer 30AMP Shore Power cables using a RV30AMP-15A "dog bone type" 18-inch long adapters. These adapters look like this

Note: I would not use any extension cord less than 12-GAUGE (12-3). The 10-GAUGE would be the best choice but you may think you can get away with smaller gauge extension cords. The red/orange color ones from WALMART are probably 14-GAUGE cords and I would "NOT" recommend using them at all.

I will not use any of those small black round Bakelite or rubber type RV30A to 15A adapters. They always start to get warm on me right away when being used.


I also use a RV 120VAC VOLTMETER that is plugged into a 120VAC receptacle inside the trailer that will show me the 120VAC line voltage coming from the garage is with-in the safe "GREEN SCALE" of the plugged in AC VOLTMETER.

Sample photos from GOOGLE IMAGES

If I can read SAFE ZONE 120VAC readings then I will go ahead and run the 13,500BTU air conditioner. Keep in mind this is just a few AMPS under the maximum allowed so if you turn on anything else in the trailer that is high watage it will trip the garage breaker.

After you get the air conditioner up and going then it is smart to go feel all of the connection points including the extension cord plugged into the 120VAC receptacle at the pedestal or building and make sure they are not starting to get warm to hot to touch.

Works good for me.

Roy Ken

[308rets]

Roy,

Thanks for the detailed info. I have heavy duty 12 -3 extension cords and the necessary adapter. However, I do like the idea of the Volt Meter. We had one built in on our boat at the circuit breaker panel (I used it everytime we plugged in at a marina. I will be picking one of them up.

Thanks...

[dmax_83]

I've ran my 13.5k btu AC on 20a service. I use the above listed voltmeter and if you watch what other devices that you use simultaneously you will be just fine. Disclaimer: I do have a hard start capacitor installed on my AC unit.

[308rets]

Originally Posted by dmax_83

I've ran my 13.5k btu AC on 20a service. I use the above listed voltmeter and if you watch what other devices that you use simultaneously you will be just fine. Disclaimer: I do have a hard start capacitor installed on my AC unit.

dmax_83. Interesting - What is a "Hard Start Capacitor" how does it work and where and how is it installed. Sounds like this is something I may want to consider. Especially on those rare times I use my generator (yamaha 2400).

Thanks..

[dmax_83]

I added a Supco SPP6E to assist my Honda 3k genset when I am camping off power but it also helps when I am on shore power.

Check out this web page for more information about the hard start capacitor: http://www.modmyrv.com/2009/05/27/rv...tart-capacitor

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by RoyBraddy

I have both my fifth wheel and off-road POPUP connected to my garage 15A/20A receptacle 24/7 when the units are here in the back yard.

I use a 50-foot 10-GAUGE (10-3) HD extension cord plugged into the 120VAC Garage Receptacles (on different circuit breakers in the house) and are connected to the trailer 30AMP Shore Power cables using a RV30AMP-15A "dog bone type" 18-inch long adapters. Roy Ken

RoyBraddy, If I recall correctly you cannot just hookup to any two different circuit breakers. You need to be connected to the same power phase feed.

[Grumpy]

For many years we went to rallies where we only had 20 amp service and easily ran a 15,000 btu a/c. As was already mentioned you just can't run other things at the same time. Switch the a/c to fan when you need to run other appliances.

[techmod]

My old 13k or my new 15k won't run on the 15a circuit near the camper. So when I plug in at home it's everything but the AC.

[tls001]

We run our TT on a 20A circuit at home all the time. The A/C runs great, just need to manage the available power.

[RoyBraddy]

JAGIVEN - I'm not trying to get more amps or anything just run my two trailers on separate circuit breakers from the garage. Actually one circuit breaker is 20AMPS and that has fifth wheel trailer on it. The other breaker is a 15AMP and that is where my POPUP is connected.

My 15AMP has other receptacles around the garage but the 20AMP one was installed for an air compressor by previous owner and it is also just five feet away from the main panel. Its a good place for the fifth wheel to use.

We sometimes camp out in the fifth at the house. Great getaway sometimes just to watch a NASCAR race...

For 308RETS - I think I picked up the AC VOLTMETER from AMAZON. Thats about the only place I order anything from. Lowes and AMAZON haha....

Roy Ken

[TX_Arvee]

Do it all the time with our 15k BTU A/C. I always plug in using our 30amp surge guard and it monitors usage. I can see when the compressor kicks on it draws almost 19amps. So any other thing, even minimal, will cause the unit to trip a breaker. Sometimes the RV side breaker trips, sometimes the garage side breaker trips, sometimes the surge guard trips. Short story, it will run the A/C.

My next move is to convert a 220v dryer outlet I have in the garage to a 110v 30A RV outlet. This is going to cost me a little form a qualified electrician.

[Jagiven]

RoyBraddy, I was thinking you were discussing using one of those dogbones made to connect the 30 amp plug to two 15 amp outlets simultaneously.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by TX_Arvee

Do it all the time with our 15k BTU A/C. I always plug in using our 30amp surge guard and it monitors usage. I can see when the compressor kicks on it draws almost 19amps. So any other thing, even minimal, will cause the unit to trip a breaker. Sometimes the RV side breaker trips, sometimes the garage side breaker trips, sometimes the surge guard trips. Short story, it will run the A/C.

My next move is to convert a 220v dryer outlet I have in the garage to a 110v 30A RV outlet. This is going to cost me a little form a qualified electrician.

I had the same situation only my 220 outlet was in a utility room (unused after switching to gas dryer). Rather than change the circuit / outlet, I used the 30A breaker for a new circuit. The breaker box is near the garage door so I put the outlet close. Works well - nice to plug in at home.



The parts are all available at local hardware stores (got mine at Home Depot) and not expensive

[Seann45]

IF you have nothing else going and your fridge on propane you might be able to get away with it.. but I feel that at some time you will forget and it will then bite you...