Run both a/cs at once?

[Jenniflow]

I suspect this has been addressed somewhere in this voluminous forum, but after a quick search, I didn't find it.

In a 1986 345 moho, is it possible, with the original 30 amps and most of the original wiring, to run both a/cs on shore power? From what I can see, the switch forces you to choose, so I guess you'd have to rewire it somewhat, but is there any combination of possible new a/c units - or even original units - that would work running simultaneously, on shore power? Has anyone done this?

Thanks!

[jcanavera]

Airstreams that are wired for 50 amp service can run both. Airsteams with typical 30 amp service are marginal or impossible to safely pull that much power. For example my 15K BTU air conditioner in my Classic can pull almost 20 amps. Add the load of water heater (if I'm using the electric option, the refrigerator (on electric), turn on the microwave, and pop goes the breaker on the campground power pole.

Jack

[Jenniflow]

That's what I was afraid of.

Has anyone here retrofitted a separate dedicated circuit that could be plugged into a separate 20 amp line, the way some campgrounds have, you know, the 30 amp + the 20 amp plugs? That circuit should go through the walls, though, and taking off the paneling could be a pain in the rear.

[DKB_SATX]

It seems from the thread pasted below that you don't have to get all the way to the AC unit with the wiring, somewhere there's a separate breaker box for the rear AC that seems (from the discussion) to be supplied from the auto-changeover switch. There's a description of a couple of workarounds in the thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ked-39598.html

[Jenniflow]

Thanks so much! I even tried calling the company that sells the workaround package, Power Solutions, but their phone is disconnected. Maybe they're operating under another name. I'm still looking for them.

If I can't find them, I'll see if we want to pony up the time and money to create a dedicated circuit from scratch, like some of these fine folks. I will report, if we do one or the other.

Thanks!

[Jammer]

I can run both A/Cs on 30a as long as I shut everything else off including the fridge. I have an ammeter wired into the breaker panel so I can see exactly what the power draw is.

[Jenniflow]

Well. That is disciplined of you! It would make me nervous to cut it so close and I guess I eat too much. Saves some trouble and causes others. I guess it depends on your priorities.

[jdalrymple]

On my '91, one must choose front or rear via the wall switch when feeding the coach via the original 30 amp cord reel.

The generator will run both regardless of switch position.

My coach was ordered with an optional 50 shoreline input, and both ACs will run when I connect it. There are two transfer switches involved in this setup. It works well, so I have not jumped in to figure it all out.

David is on the right track, there is a path to supply the rear AC from a seperate 20 amp cord from either the wall switch or the generator transfer switch.


Regards,

JD

[cwf]

You can wire in such a way that you can choose to power one AC separately. You can add a "sub panel" which you can provide power to from 20amp source, if you shut off power to the sub panel from the Main panel.

The "hard" part will be getting the power from outside into the Sub Panel. Do NOT scrimp on the quality....use Marine grade gear. Sure, you can get "SOB" quality, but why?

Then you will have to maintain the discipline to ALWAYS ensure you switch power properly. If you mix the phases you will have a bright flash and maybe a fire.

Now, if you "upgrade" to 50 Amp, it somewhat limits where you can get the 50 Amp power, but you can still connect to 30 Amp and monitor your power use as you do now.

[Jenniflow]

Hi CWF,
Yes, I would love to upgrade, but I don't think it's in this rig's future. I'll have to think about the switching stuff. It seems that there are a number of ways to go with that, as others and jdalrymple point out.

Thanks!

[spclkaz]

I only have one brand new Penquin 1500 AC on my older 94 Excella... BUT... I try not to park ANYwhere I need to use even that ONE for even a day or so...

[DaveFL]

I switched to 50 amps due to living in FL and hate the noise of an a/c overhead and the inconvenience of having to remember to throw the switch in cabinet over the sink before changing to other a/c. Can't say it was costly for me, easy to add up the costs of parts, but finding an electrician capable of doing the switch might be a problem. You will need one 50 amp auto switch instead of the two 30amp switches, a 50 amp shore power cord, 50 amp circuit breaker box that can handle 2 legs of 50 amps, at home it was simple to run 50 amp service plug instead of 30 and increase the circuit breaker and feed wire.

More cg's are supplying 50 but by using a 50 to 30 amp adapter I can still run the two a/c's one at a time without the need for the extra switch in the kitchen cabinet. One other use of 50 amps after a long trip with full sun and motor heat it only takes a few minutes to cool the place down.

[GO Bob]

A PO had added a 2nd A/C using a seperate 20 amp cord connecting a seperate breaker box with 1 breaker just below the main box. The wire (outdoor grade 30 amp rv type) runs out by the main line.

Druing high demand I was still trippping the 30 amp so I wired the extra (A/C in rear to the main. then I wire two outlets. One on the main 30 amp and one on the dedacated 20 amp. This way while in a park during High demand The rear A/C can be turned off and the main can still be on high. At home I have 30 amp so I can swap back over or with everything else off run both.
I have only been to 2 or 3 campground that have 50 amp so the two cord system works well for me.

[GO Bob]

Originally Posted by SKP46015

I only have one brand new Penquin 1500 AC on my older 94 Excella... BUT... I try not to park ANYwhere I need to use even that ONE for even a day or so...

Not camping were A/C is needed limits camping to 4 months.