Electrical question????????

[jerseyteamster]

Hi everyone, Very new to this website,but would appreciate any answer you could give regarding an issue I will soon be involved with. I have a new Jayco 195 RB ive used a few times,but now will be camping at a site that con only offer me 15 amp service. I would like to know,since the equipment was manufactured for 30 amp service,if I plug into the 15 amp using a reducer plug,can I run the air conditioner? IF I do not run any other electrical items ,I plan on using the propane gas for the fridge,and that will be all??????? any advise? THANKS ALLOT

[norty1]

If your Air Conditioner is 15k btu, it may be damaged. Some take that chance, I would not for anything but a short time.
Check all connections for heat buildup if you decide to risk it.

[JFlightRisk]

If memory serves me right, the A/C pulls 13 amps by itself. I have been to a park with 15 amp service, and was able to run the A/C, but NOTHING else. I do remember tripping the breaker once, but I don't remember if it was on compressor start-up, or I tried to use the toaster. Maybe someone else will chime in with more up to date stats on A/C, as that was on a 85 MH. The plug may get warm on your cord, so be careful

[LkptRvPilot]

You are walking a thin line and might possibly trip the pedestal breaker.

If you do attempt it, get a quality dog-bone adapter, and not that cheap cylinder adapter plug. Check often for adapter getting hot.

I would also feel better if I had one of those EMS systems that you could monitor the voltage and current. If the voltage gets too low, you could damage your AC.

[33 RLDS]

There is at least one state park in NY that says 15 amp but when I got there, they had 30 amp. Maybe you will get lucky..

[Ela1948]

It is almost a given that it will shorten the life of your AC. If everything else including your converter is turned off and if you were using some sort of voltage monitor and were diligent about watching for low voltage, you could probably squeak by. Without experience on what to watch for and when to shut it down, you ARE walking a very thin and precarious line. Take it from one who has cooked an AC thru ignorance!!! It happened to me when hooked up to 30 amps but the campground was underpowered. You may get away with it that weekend but it will come back to haunt you months later. And if you are under the illusion that warranty will take care of it, not so. There is a diode that goes first and it always is caused by low voltage. That diode will immediately void your warranty.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by LkptRvPilot

You are walking a thin line and might possibly trip the pedestal breaker.

If you do attempt it, get a quality dog-bone adapter, and not that cheap cylinder adapter plug. Check often for adapter getting hot.

I would also feel better if I had one of those EMS systems that you could monitor the voltage and current. If the voltage gets too low, you could damage your AC.

X2

I would also install a hard start capacitor in the AC. This will help with startup. I do not know how much power the frig pulls. But if you want force it to only use it in propane mode (12V control power). You need to open the service panel and unplug the 120V power supply. Otherwise it will automatically switch to AC power if it senses it.