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Old 05-10-2021, 04:53 PM   #1
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Atlas A/C on 120

If plugged into a 120 V 20 amp circuit, can you run the A/C on an Atlas?
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:53 PM   #2
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If you have the Dometic Penguin II like our Interstates, you are not supposed to run the AC on 20 amp power. Not enough amps for when the compressor kicks on and it’s really hard on it.
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Old 05-11-2021, 10:33 AM   #3
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If you blow the fuse, then you have your answer.

With a soft start you sure can.
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Old 05-11-2021, 01:54 PM   #4
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With a soft start, a big lithium battery pack and a 3Kw hybrid inverter / charger, no problem. With a stock Atlas, I doubt it. That said, if you try it and the breaker at the source for your 20a circuit pops, you will know for sure that it won't. If it doesn't pop, keep a close eye on the entire circuit to see whether any part of it (breaker, extension cord, dogbone, etc.) begin to get hot. Often, an older 20a circuit isn't really capable of running the full 20a all the time, and there's a good chance it will eventually overheat and start melting things.
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Old 05-11-2021, 02:21 PM   #5
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On my 2020 interstate ext the a/c will draw a constant 14 to 15 amps up to 20 amps momentarily when compressor comes on. Sometimes when traveling i do use a 15 amp circuit. I do check the cords etc. Getting hot. Since the surge to 20 amps is less then a second never had a problem.
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Old 05-11-2021, 03:37 PM   #6
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As you can see, the answer is "it depends." Even stock, *IF* you have a dedicated 20A circuit with a suitable 20A outlet & plug (not the usual residential 15A dual-gang) AND you have a short, high-capacity cord it'll probably be OK as long as you shed most of the other house loads in the coach (fridge, battery charging, etc.) Every one of those specs that slips has a cost, though... Long cords, shared circuits, poor connections, other coach loads, etc.
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Old 05-11-2021, 07:24 PM   #7
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Your AC unit will (probably) run on 20 Amps, but just because it will doesn’t make it good for it. Many posts state that it will burn out the motor eventually, might be sooner, might be later. It’s not getting the voltage it needs to kick the compressor on and starving an electric motor for power is not the best on it. We ran ours (short term) until we knew better and it never blew a breaker. Will only run it on a 30 Amp service now.
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Old 05-12-2021, 07:58 PM   #8
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Concerning Interstates, the A/C is made to run of the generator and that is 20 amp service
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Old 05-12-2021, 08:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amg View Post
Concerning Interstates, the A/C is made to run of the generator and that is 20 amp service
Does the automatic load-shedding magic work for the shore-power input as well as for the generator?
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Old 05-13-2021, 06:24 AM   #10
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I'd give it a try. It will just pop the 20 amp breaker if it's trying to draw more current. I don't have a problem running mine. Just make sure that it is the only thing plugged into the circuit.
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