Heat Pump Draw

[cazual6]

How many amps does the heat pump draw? I'm asking is because I have a 30a to 15a adapter at the house, then a 15a to 30a adapter to the AS. I don't want to lug out the 30a cord. Could a 12/3 work or do I need a 10/3? REVISED: I only have one Unit.

[YippieKiYa]

The simple answer is no, a 12/3 extension cord won't cut it. Since a heat pump is essentially an air conditioner in reverse to generate heat, it will pull the same amperage as it does cooling down to the point where the compressor is no longer efficient and an electric heat strip takes over. Most trailers kick over to the furnace at that point. You'll be pulling about 16-17 amps through a cord that was designed for 15a.

Your propane furnace will run on the 15a extension cord with no worries. Or, lug the heavy cord out. Sorry - they suck, especially when they're cold. Perhaps bring it in the house for a few hours to warm it up and make it more flexible/easier to manage.

[MWBishop]

Thanks for this.
Exactly my question to myself yesterday.
I knew HP was out for 15A, but was not 100% sure of furnace.
Now I know I can dewinterize and can run furnace if needed before we leave.

[A W Warn]

In the owners manual that came with the trailer there should be an owner manual/installation guide for the AC unit, published by Dometic. It gives the minimum wire size as 12 ga on a 20 amp breaker, but also there is a note saying that the length of the wire is limited to 24 feet in length. Longer wire runs are to meet the requirements of the national electric code.

In summary, to meet these specs:
1. Should not use a 15 amp 120 volt circuit because it is does not meet the minimum breaker size and is normally wired with 14 gauge wire.
2. Should use a 20 amp 12 gauge wire circuit that is less than 24 feet wire length. The 24 foot length includes the length wiring in the house from the breaker box to the outlet, the lengths of the extension cords, and the length wiring inside the trailer.
3. Should use a 20 amp or 30 amp circuit wired with 10 gauge or 8 gauge when wire length exceeds 24 feet, maybe larger wire, depending on the total length.

However, for the past 8 years I have run the 13,500 btu air conditioner on a 20 amp circuit occasionally at my home NOT meeting the wiring specs. When I do this the total length of wire is about 125 feet. (from the house's distribution center to the outlet is about 50 feet of 12 gauge, 25 feet 10 gauge extension cord, the trailer's 10 gauge cord about 25 feet, about 10 feet of 10 gauge inside the trailer to the breaker box, then about 15 feet of 12 gauge to the AC)

I'm not sure if I am damaging the AC unit. I'm not saying you should do any particular way. I'm just saying I do this.