Can you use A/C unit while plugged into your house?

[Jaycobro]

I store my camper at my house and have it connected to our home electrical. Do you know if I can run my AC unit while plugged into my house?

[Jagiven]

borderline. I have done it. I did not like to do it for long time, as I needed to run an long extension cord.

Key item is a heavy duty extension cord, 12 gauge, and ideally a 20 amp breaker.

[EA37TS]

If you are talking about plugged into a 30 or 50 amp. outlet you had installed then yes.

If you are asking about adapting down and plugging into a 10 or 20 amp wall outlet then more than likely no. Sometimes however, if there is noting else plugged into that circuit you might get away with the AC running for a short period of time before tripping the breaker.

If you store your trailer at home and haven't done so you might want to get a 30 or 50 amp outlet installed for the trailer.

[mokurt]

Mine does not like the 15 amp breaker!
It works with a 20.

[pward]

Originally Posted by mokurt

It works with a 20.

x2

[GarlicDude]

I use ours when at home. Length of run, size of cord and amperage of receptacle are the factors to consider.

[Woodworker]

One of the best things I ever did was wiring a dedicated box with a 30 amp breaker for ours.

[JimD]

I can run my 11000 btu unit on a dedicated 15 amp line without problem. I doubt a larger unit would work. I think this AC pulls about 10 - 12 amps continuous while larger units pull around 15 amps.

Find out what model you have and see what it requires. Also, if an extension cord is required, go as short as possible and 12 gauge.

[pward]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

One of the best things I ever did was wiring a dedicated box with a 30 amp breaker for ours.

Wondering why you need 30a just to park an rv at home? Other than running a small electric heater in winter, keeping the house battery charged and keeping up with parasitic draw, what else would need that much amperage if you weren't living in it?

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by pward

Wondering why you need 30a just to park an rv at home? Other than running a small electric heater in winter, keeping the house battery charged and keeping up with parasitic draw, what else would need that much amperage if you weren't living in it?

The big item is running the AC. Microwave and electric water heater can be big power consumers. If the AC and either the microwave or water heater turn on, I pop my 30 amp breaker.

I expect we will start using our TT, as a guest house this year (installed a 30 amp breaker last fall), When my parents come in to town, they kick the kid out of his bed. He hates the couch, and the summers can be a bear in the TT, after it has been in the sun all day. Now we/he can have a little AC to cool things down.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by pward

Wondering why you need 30a just to park an rv at home? Other than running a small electric heater in winter, keeping the house battery charged and keeping up with parasitic draw, what else would need that much amperage if you weren't living in it?

I had a 50A installed when I built the house. I figured why not. Didn’t cost much more than doing a 15/20 during the building stage.
I ran my old 30A trailer on a dedicated 20A circuit for a long time without any issues.

My parents have stayed in the trailer when they are here to give them a little peace and quiet time(we have 5 kids).

[RogerR]

I did not see if you posted what kind of AC or what kind of outlet, lenght of the cord you are using . My AC is a 8,000 btu wall unit that is designed to run on a house outlet. Knowing that I would not attach it to a common 50 or 100 ft. drop cord in addition to my 25 ft. camper cord. Just to much voltage loss that could harm the compressor or overheat the wall outlet.

A roof unit that puts out 13,000 or more btu really needs a dedicated 30 amp outlet that you can plug the camper cord into.

In any case if you blow the breaker you don't have a good enough power supply and will possibly harm your compressor with much use.

[Jaycobro]

Originally Posted by Jaycobro

I store my camper at my house and have it connected to our home electrical. Do you know if I can run my AC unit while plugged into my house?

Super helpful everyone! So other than tripping the breaker - is there any risk it will damage the AC ?

[norty1]

Originally Posted by pward

Wondering why you need 30a just to park an rv at home? Other than running a small electric heater in winter, keeping the house battery charged and keeping up with parasitic draw, what else would need that much amperage if you weren't living in it?

It makes a very comfortable man cave!

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by pward

Wondering why you need 30a just to park an rv at home? Other than running a small electric heater in winter, keeping the house battery charged and keeping up with parasitic draw, what else would need that much amperage if you weren't living in it?

Ours is currently our home office. It is very nice to be able to use it to its full capability while we are working from home.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

borderline. I have done it. I did not like to do it for long time, as I needed to run an long extension cord.

Key item is a heavy duty extension cord, 12 gauge, and ideally a 20 amp breaker.

Originally Posted by GarlicDude

I use ours when at home. Length of run, size of cord and amperage of receptacle are the factors to consider.

I run mine at home, and the two quotes above are the key. My unit is a 15K BTU, and I can run it on a 12 gauge, 50 ft long extension cord, plugged into a standard dedicated 20 amp GFI outlet.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Jaycobro

Super helpful everyone! So other than tripping the breaker - is there any risk it will damage the AC ?

Not normally, unless you get a big drop in voltage, which will spike the amperage demand. I'd suggest getting one of these plug in voltage meters, so you can monitor the voltage inside the rig.

https://www.amazon.com/Eversame-80-3...%2C184&sr=8-15

[kdduke]

Originally Posted by Jaycobro

I store my camper at my house and have it connected to our home electrical. Do you know if I can run my AC unit while plugged into my house?

You can, only if you have a proper 30 amp breaker. Just a reminder these units have a heavy draw, and if 1 AC unit. I think sometimes people over estimate capabilities and things happen! Example my brother nearly lost their home due to electrical fire -short story> Remember for example: dryers in your home have heavy draws as do stoves, and over time with those heavy draws- electrical wires heat up- (expand and contract). I updated my electrical at my acreage to have 1- 50 amp, 1 30 amp and 4 15 amp GFI plugs for $1000 Peace of mind! Now in the US, not sure of your codes, but strongly recommend a proper 30 amp, and use a surge protector!

[RAurand]

No problem if you have a Micro-Air Soft start!

[kdduke]

No, that's the reason for a breaker. But go 30 amp. Mine runs nice on 30, both AC with the rest of appliances, tv, etc. I plug into 50 while RVing! I use Progressive surge protectors "all the time" as some Rv plugin sites are pretty rough looking for wiring. I avoid those Rv sites. I would contact a great electrician unless you know what you are doing!