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Old 03-23-2016, 01:59 PM   #1
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2016 30' Classic
Sammamish , Washington
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Running 50A Airstream on 30A

We just traded in our 27' 2010 Classic Limited with 30A service on a 30' 2016 Classic with 50A service. Since the new AS has 2 AC units and I do visit at RV parks with 30A or boondock with 2 Honda 2000W generators I would like to know how to manage the potential AC loads. For example, can I program the thermostat to run only one AC unit and if so, how?
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Old 03-23-2016, 02:49 PM   #2
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We run our 50A motorhome on 30 amp service all the time. Really the only reason you need 50A is to run both air conditioners at the same time.

What you need to do is turn the rear air (usually zone 2) to off, and then make sure the compressor on the front air conditioner is off before you use the microwave oven. It also helps to not use the water heater on AC, but on propane.
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Old 03-23-2016, 05:21 PM   #3
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30A is more than adequate for running everything in your AS other than running both ACs at once. We typically set one AC thermostat to 74 and the second one higher (around 84) as a fallback in case the primary one fails. (We have a 125lb dog that we don't want to cook while we're out.) Other than in the hottest areas of the country, in the heat of summer you're unlikely to need both ACs. But it's great to have them in case of a unit failure (which we've experienced). Be sure you have the 50A to 30A adapter for your power cord.
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Old 03-23-2016, 08:47 PM   #4
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Pretty much what they said ^^^

Our 2016 27 FC FB has 2 ACs and 50A service. We also lost the front 30A additional power inlet, suggesting adding a genny to the service plug is a no go.

Our thermostat has two zones. Zone 1 is where our thermostat is, in our case, the bedroom. There is a thermometer in Zone 2 as well. You just select the zone, then program what you want (Off, AC, Fan, Heat Pump, etc.)

The propane furnace is on Zone 2 for us.

We wanted two ACs because last year we cooked in our SOB Class B out west.
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Old 03-23-2016, 09:59 PM   #5
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You can use the two Honda 2000's (if tethered together) - to run 30 amp. As stated above, don't run but one AC. Set Fridge and Water Heater to LP.

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Old 03-23-2016, 11:11 PM   #6
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Thank you all for the replies. I do have 2 Honda 2000's and a Marinco 124ARV-25 power cord (a 25 foot cord with a 50A locking female plug and a 30A standard male plug -- no adapters necessary). Now all I have to do is remember to not use the second air conditioner.
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Old 03-24-2016, 04:37 AM   #7
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Does not matter which A/C you use, we use both when plugged into 30A, but not at the same time. Usually the front during the day and the rear bedroom at night.
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Old 03-24-2016, 10:50 AM   #8
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I do it all the time. Only 1 AC at a time. Just use a little caution when making coffee, heating water etc. You can essentially use everything but with a little time management.
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Old 03-24-2016, 10:57 AM   #9
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Well.. if you prefer your own bath for hair dryer, curling iron, etc, most of the other electrical should be 'off'.. running either AC, when my bride fires those appliances up, it is a real strain...

Previous owner of our AS ran much of the electrical, on a 15 AMP outlet... absolutely no problem... only power consumers were the Converter and their coffee pot.. yet, the plug was melted pretty good when we bought the AS... so..... something else must have been accidentally turned on... perhaps when they were plugged into a 20AMP?
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Old 03-24-2016, 11:28 AM   #10
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The thermostat should be set up to allow you to select zones. Mine is zone 1 front a/c and zone 2 rear. Just make sure one is off when running the other. Also, with 30 amp manage you other electrical components wisely to prevent overload. Refrigerator, 12v converter/charger, water heater, hair dryer, coffer maker, grill and anything else plugged in. If you are used to 30 amp I doubt that you will have a problem.
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Old 03-24-2016, 06:02 PM   #11
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im surprised NEW ones are NOT more equipped! My 05 Diesel pusher senses what im plugged into and turns things off to keep up with my demand. I have a panel on the wall and I can see it right now that says im drawing 9 amps. the one thing that makes it go nuts is my upright vac. When plugged into 30 and turn on the vacuum it shuts off the ac.
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Old 03-24-2016, 06:19 PM   #12
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That's called 'load shed' and you probably have a sensing board and relays made by Intellitec in your breaker box.

The Airstream Interstate vans use a similar system for a 30 amp service made Precision Circuits Inc.

They both use similar current sensing technology and relays to shut circuits in a pre-determine order to no overdraw your electrical system.

The downside of NOT having a system like this........... You flip a breaker! 😄


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