|
06-25-2008, 09:42 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
2006 25' International CCD
Freehold
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
|
Air Conditioning at local campground
Heading down the street (2 miles) for a weekend of camping (gotta get out of the house). Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold NJ has tremendously large sites (100' x 75' or larger!) but each site has just 20 amp service. Will this power my AC (25' CCD International).
Thanks
Brian
|
|
|
06-25-2008, 10:04 PM
|
#2
|
Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
|
20 amp power is not really sufficient to run a 13,500 btu rv ac unit. It can give your ac unit problems on start up. I understand that this can sometimes result in damage to you ac unit.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
|
|
|
06-25-2008, 10:07 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Trabuco Canyon
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
|
Should be fine. You probably cannot run microwave oven at the same time as the AC. It is possible (but unlikely) you'll have to switch your refrigerator to gas. If the batteries are in a very discharged state, you may have to allow them to charge for a half hour to an hour before switching on the AC.
I've used my AC quite a few times on 20 amp circuits.
Be sure to monitor voltage (as on any circuit).
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 06:38 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1993 34' Limited
Melbourne Florida
, Springfield Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 759
|
The other problem could be power drops / surges which COULD damage various componets in your Airstream. Power drops / surges certainly are possible when a number of campers are using - especially 20 amp which is not recommended.
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 07:17 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
|
It is going to be hot in N.J. this weekend...............
If you decide to use your AC leave the thermostat on full tilt cold. That will minimize the on-off cycles. The start up is where the damage can occur. I would also periodically check the voltage at the source and check your power cable for heat build up. Dave
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:01 AM
|
#6
|
3 Rivet Member
2010 28' Flying Cloud
Escondido
, California
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 196
|
Should be no problem if you your elect. useage to the A?C
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:04 AM
|
#7
|
4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Lady Lake
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 355
|
You might want to use a voltage meter to check the power. As many on this forum know, we burned (?) out the capasitor (?) on our ac due to low power in campgrounds.
I bought a good quality voltage meter because I read somewhere that the readings of some the meters can be off as much as 10%. IIRC we try to have 106 volts.
If your ac is struggling (?) turn it off. Don't use a microwave or hair dryer at the same time with the ac.
If my husband reads this, he will have a fit because I know just enough to show how much I don't know. I do know that a good power source is necessary though.
We had 30amps added at home for the AS.
Sorry for the confusing post, but hope it helps a little.
__________________
Pat
AIR# 16756
WBCCI# 6167
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:17 AM
|
#8
|
ME4US
2007 27' Classic FB
Bath
, Maine
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
|
Have fun in Freehold. Just move to Maine from Red Bank last year.
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 07:25 PM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member
2006 25' International CCD
Freehold
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
|
Thanks everyone
Thanks for all the help. Won't have time to get a voltage meter AND wouldn't know how to use it anyway. Will bring several fans plus the two fantastics and hope for the best.
Oh!!!
Can I supplement power with my Honda 2000 (haven't used it yet). By itself I know it is not adequate for the AC, but if hooked up to the 20 amp park service plus the generator would that help??
Hey Red Bank -- coming to Maine this summer (5th trip) we'll be in Acadia then down to CapeCod in mid July. I'm jealous, Maine is my favorite East Coast destination.
Brian
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:33 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Trabuco Canyon
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
|
Unfortunately you cannot supplement the power with your Honda 2000.
This gauge plugs into an unused outlet and is about $10. at Camping World. If its in the green or a smidge below with the AC on you're OK.
The amp rating of the circuit and the quality of the power are two independent criteria. 20 amps refers to the break point of the circuit breaker. It does not imply low voltage or damaging drops in voltage. If the meter shows it to be OK, it is OK.
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:47 PM
|
#11
|
Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
|
You can unplug the refer in the outside box and plug it into the 2000si. That will probably do the trick.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 08:55 PM
|
#12
|
Ham KI4HJX
1982 27' Excella
1970 23' Safari
Franklin
, 28734
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 126
|
Your Air conditioner only calls for a 20 amp breaker. Once it is running it will most likely pull only around 10 or so amps. My 81 Excella has a switch that only allows the air or microwave to run one at a time. If you run your Frige on gas you will be fine.
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 09:19 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
2006 25' International CCD
Freehold
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
|
Thanks r AMP and Moose. While there is a Camping World about 15 miles away my guess is I can pick one up at Sears.
BB
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 09:22 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
2006 25' International CCD
Freehold
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
|
Sorry thanks TPI.
|
|
|
06-26-2008, 09:42 PM
|
#15
|
4 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 396
|
I have an older AS. My original service was via a single 20 amp breaker. The air conditioner diagram indicated a 20 amp start capacitor on line. I have run it on a 15 and on a 20. The size of your AC will have a lot to do with the start up power requirements.
|
|
|
06-27-2008, 04:32 AM
|
#16
|
Refurbished 89 Excella
1988 29' Excella
Sugar Valley
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 246
|
For me, it is the voltage drop, not the amperage of the circuit. Power cord size, wire guage to the outlet, condition of your breakers in the trailer itself, condition of the plug itself, all connections tight, and of course the starting needs of the AC that come into play here.
Best thing to do is check all of the above and then use a volt meter to assure yourself that you are getting at least 108 volts.
I find that even when I am getting minimal voltage that on a 20A circuit my plug will be warm or even hot. If I am able to feel the wiring of the circuit itself from the breaker, it will be quite warm. Resistance in the circuit equates to heat which steals voltage............Dennis
__________________
Dennis & Susan
D&D Farms, Sugar Valley, Ga
Registered Boer goats
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|