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06-25-2017, 08:54 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member 
1965 17' Caravel
Curtis Wright
San Marcos
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 231
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Will an A/C work at a 15 amp service camp site?
trying to make reservations in canada this summer and pretty booked up.
a park has 15 amp sites available.
will a 15 amp service allow me to use my air conditioner?
how about an electric hot water heater?
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06-25-2017, 08:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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AC no
Water heater, possibly. Depends on it amperage draw.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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06-25-2017, 09:00 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinkatz
trying to make reservations in canada this summer and pretty booked up.
a park has 15 amp sites available.
will a 15 amp service allow me to use my air conditioner?
how about an electric hot water heater?
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Probably won't supply enough current for your A/C.
Water heater should work on electric. If I remember correctly the electric element in our water heater is only 400 Watts.
But then, you probably won't need A/C in Canada. . .
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06-25-2017, 09:01 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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If you have a 13,500 BTU A/C, it would be marginal as our 13,500 BTU on our 2015 23D runs at 11 amps and the starting power inrush would be much higher. If the A/C starts, that will be the only 120Vac equipment that one could hope to operate at that time. The water heater will also be a big load on 15 amp service and a few lights will work but forget the toaster or hair dryer at the same time.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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06-25-2017, 09:02 PM
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#5
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Typical 13.5k or 15k but AC draws just over 16amps
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06-25-2017, 09:27 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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My 13500 AC runs on a 15 amp outlet with no problems. I turn off the battery charger and don't run the microwave.... I stay several days a year at a location with 15 amp only.
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06-26-2017, 11:39 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2019 30' Classic
Canfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,559
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Read this entire thread about Micro-air easystart. It works well.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...rs-153360.html
__________________
"At some point, throwing money at the problem *is* the right answer", Uncle Bob
x\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\101970\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\/x\x/x\x/x
Tom & Doty
2019 Airstream Classic 30 Twin
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06-26-2017, 11:46 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1991 35' Airstream 350
Beachburg
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 153
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There are hundreds of parks in Canada with 30 and 50 amp service
Which provinces do you intend to visit
__________________
Howard and Ann Schutt
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06-26-2017, 11:50 AM
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#9
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,736
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Hi
Without one of the easy start mods, you will be playing all sorts of games to get an AC running on 15A. The battery charger / converter is one issue, there are others. The 15A *will* let you run the other stuff one at a time. It will also keep the batteries topped up.
Bob
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06-26-2017, 12:10 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1973 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Vista
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 589
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I was tripping a 20 amp CB, when I first pluged in, then I remembered to put the fridge on to gas, and un plug the battery charger, then the AC worked fine. I would go for it you may not even need AC if you get a shaded spot. I also think the voltage is more likely to be a reliable 120, in Canada.
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06-26-2017, 02:10 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member 
1973 31' Sovereign
Middletown
, California
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 424
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You can probably run one or the other as long you use one at a time! A volt meter would be nice to have for this situation and feel the adapter after an hour to see if it's getting hot. I've lived for weeks on a plug that starts getting warm at 10 amps. You just have to manage your loads and it sure beats running a generator!
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06-26-2017, 03:42 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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I just had mine plugged in a wall outlet in my garage. I had the AC running. I have a digital voltmeter plugged in the outlet at the trailers kitchen counter. It was reading 115 volts with the AC on and the converter on. If I turned the converter off, the meter read 117 volts.
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06-27-2017, 04:24 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Excella 500
Barrie
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 217
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinkatz
trying to make reservations in canada this summer and pretty booked up.
a park has 15 amp sites available.
will a 15 amp service allow me to use my air conditioner?
how about an electric hot water heater?
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Depending on where you are going in Canada you may not need AC at night if you plan on going into the northern part like Yukon or the northern part of Alberta it cools down pretty good at night. We haven't had much really hot weather this summer today's was about 71F . I have a cousin who lives in Whitehorse Yukon and he said that's about the highest its been there this year. Google the weather for the area you plan on visiting and you'll get a better idea. Good luck and carry a couple of fans with you that should be all you'll need coming from TX.
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06-27-2017, 06:04 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member 
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Redding
, California
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
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How does one turn "off" the converter/charger ?
I have a Parallax 7300 Series and sometimes need to run my A/C on 15 amp service at home to cool trailer while packing .
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06-27-2017, 06:37 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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My trailer has a light switch on the wall beside the gaucho that turns the converter off.
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06-27-2017, 07:03 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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I have heard at lower shore power an AC may work but puts a strain on the compressor.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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06-27-2017, 07:45 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member 
2015 22' FB Sport
Selinsgrove
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
My 13500 AC runs on a 15 amp outlet with no problems. I turn off the battery charger and don't run the microwave.... I stay several days a year at a location with 15 amp only.
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I also have operated our 13000 AC and heat pump on a 15 amp 120v with no problem.
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06-28-2017, 09:23 AM
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#18
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,736
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Hi
In a lot of cases "worked fine" means "it didn't trip a breaker". That's not always the most reliable way to test things. Breakers have a manufacturing tolerance on them. One model of 15A breaker may not trip in quite the same way as another. They can also be defective. I've run into cases where > 2X the rated current would pass through a breaker (yes smoke was involved in that situation).
Bob
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06-30-2017, 04:01 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2020 25' Globetrotter
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,845
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
In a lot of cases "worked fine" means "it didn't trip a breaker". That's not always the most reliable way to test things. Breakers have a manufacturing tolerance on them. One model of 15A breaker may not trip in quite the same way as another. They can also be defective. I've run into cases where > 2X the rated current would pass through a breaker (yes smoke was involved in that situation).
Bob
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Bob, I have a circuit in my garage that's wired with a 20A breaker. There are a couple of other outlets on the circuit aside from the external outlet where I plug in my trailer but it's easily arranged to have nothing plugged into them. Would it be OK to run my 25' FC's 15000 BTU AC off this circuit? Do I need to be concerned about the wiring in-wall as well as the breaker? I have very briefly tested the AC and it "worked fine" with no issues but I'm leery of running it for any length of time. You seem well versed on this stuff so I thought I'd ask!
Mike
__________________
Mike
2020 25' Globetrotter Twin | 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ult. 4x4 Duramax
400Ah Battle Born lithium battery string | 580W solar (400W roof 180W portable)
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06-30-2017, 04:58 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
Chelsea
, Maine
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeinca
Bob, I have a circuit in my garage that's wired with a 20A breaker. There are a couple of other outlets on the circuit aside from the external outlet where I plug in my trailer but it's easily arranged to have nothing plugged into them. Would it be OK to run my 25' FC's 15000 BTU AC off this circuit? Do I need to be concerned about the wiring in-wall as well as the breaker? I have very briefly tested the AC and it "worked fine" with no issues but I'm leery of running it for any length of time. You seem well versed on this stuff so I thought I'd ask!
Mike
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I have done exactly what you speak of and got away with it for the most part.
The 20 amp breaker would occasionally trip. No big deal, right?
Well, at 1AM I decided it WAS a big deal. I put in a Micro-Air Easy Start and it fixed that problem.
I would watch for voltage drop in the trailer. On one outside outlet in the rear of the house I needed an extension cord and got concerned when I saw 104 volts in the trailer (AC running). I plugged in to an outlet in the front of the house, same circuit but much nearer the service panel, and eliminated the extension cord. Now the lowest voltage I see is 118 (AC running).
__________________
2023 Entegra Odyssey 26M
2017 FC 27FB
2017 F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.2L
Equal-I-Zer 10K/1000
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