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06-16-2017, 02:21 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2017 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4x4
Posts: 549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
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My understanding is the AC draws 11.5 amps. Therefore as long as one is careful and doesn't run other item, a 15 amp service should power it without problems. Is this incorrect?
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Rick and Vicky Reed
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06-16-2017, 03:07 PM
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#22
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
My understanding is the AC draws 11.5 amps. Therefore as long as one is careful and doesn't run other item, a 15 amp service should power it without problems. Is this incorrect?
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Yes, it will draw about that when it's running. But it will draw more when it's starting - just like your home AC.
There are "soft start" kits for AC units, which basically add a capacitor to provide startup amperage, so that it doesn't have to take it from your power source. But, that may not be needed. Easy way to check is to see if it works as is. If I were wanting to run my trailer's AC using a 2000 watt generator, I'd make sure it had the startup kit anyway, because it helps prevent problems or damage to the AC unit.
Also be aware that altitude plays a big role in how many amps a generator can produce. For example, while a Honda 2000 generator may be sufficient to start the Dometic Penguin II AC unit at sea level, it might have problems doing so at 5000 feet.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-16-2017, 03:28 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
My understanding is the AC draws 11.5 amps. Therefore as long as one is careful and doesn't run other item, a 15 amp service should power it without problems. Is this incorrect?
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I understand that you can or will ruin your A/C not running it on 30-amp, if you only use 15 amps. Can't say where I got this but that is my understanding. I would not take a chance on it.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-16-2017, 03:48 PM
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#24
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
My understanding is the AC draws 11.5 amps. Therefore as long as one is careful and doesn't run other item, a 15 amp service should power it without problems. Is this incorrect?
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I use a 12 gauge 50 ft cord as I often plug in trailers next to my shop; haven't had any problems with it in 10 years. The startup current spike is quite brief.
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Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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06-16-2017, 05:28 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
My understanding is the AC draws 11.5 amps. Therefore as long as one is careful and doesn't run other item, a 15 amp service should power it without problems. Is this incorrect?
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Hi: richardr... Worked for me!!! I always start the fan only first and let it run a while... then start the compressor but then my A/C is a manual unit with separate controls. Now we have a new breaker panel in the house and a 30 Amp line to the garage for the trailer plug in!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-16-2017, 08:46 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Monona, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2023 21NE "Hardley II" 2021 Toyota Tacoma (Diesel Jeep stranded us twice so it had to go)
Posts: 341
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Escape had this 15amp to 30amp adaptor (and some other gifts) waiting in a drawer when we picked up our 19' in March.
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06-16-2017, 09:21 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
I use a 12 gauge 50 ft cord as I often plug in trailers next to my shop; haven't had any problems with it in 10 years. The startup current spike is quite brief.
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I'll second that. Have occasionally run the A/C in the driveway on 15 amp circuit (with no other loads) and have been fine. Same now with mini-split that draws a little less than the overhead Dometic.
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06-16-2017, 09:30 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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What I saw on running A/C on 15 or 20 is that you can overload the household and have an unsafe situation unless you know and do, or don't do, this, this, this. I have also heard that people have ruined their A/C. As one person said about it, you can not wear your seatbelt many times and not have any collisions but so what? He said it was an unsafe practice to run the A/C that way. Just notice to people who don't care to hope that nothing happens.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-16-2017, 10:11 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by float5
What I saw on running A/C on 15 or 20 is that you can overload the household and have an unsafe situation unless you know and do, or don't do, this, this, this. I have also heard that people have ruined their A/C.
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I respect your concern, but I really see it no different than someone going out and buying a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner. They are typically plugged into a regular 15 amp outlet in your house. Manual says dedicated circuit, but how many people even do that? There should be no problem running an 11,000 BTU A/C unit as long as you don't run anything else with a large load simultaneously on the same circuit (both trailer & house).
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06-19-2017, 03:52 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 ("Hotel California" -Aug 2017) Tow is 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel
Posts: 234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
If you have a 30 amp service installed by an electrician get the order in writing that specifies 30 amps @ 120V. Several have had their 30 amp receptacle installed with 240V supply line.
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Charlie,
Thinking of doing this. Why 30 amps at 120V supply line vs 30 amp @240 V supply line?
What's the difference and disadvantages?
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Lisa & Pete
"What if loving what you have is everything..." - Ellis
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06-19-2017, 03:59 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 15A
Posts: 398
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Everything in the trailer that is not 12 volt is 120 volt.
Typically a 30 amp service would be for something like a clothes dryer which is usually 30 amp at 240 volt. An electrician may just guess that you want a 30 amp service for such an appliance and not your trailer.
If you plugged your trailer in a 240 volt circuit you would probably destroy everything??
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06-19-2017, 04:05 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 ("Hotel California" -Aug 2017) Tow is 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel
Posts: 234
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Thanks for the great info. :-) I'm calling electricians for quotes and wanted to be prepared with an answer in case they ask why a 120 volt supply line
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Lisa & Pete
"What if loving what you have is everything..." - Ellis
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06-19-2017, 04:13 PM
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#33
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nrgtic4
Charlie,
Thinking of doing this. Why 30 amps at 120V supply line vs 30 amp @240 V supply line?
What's the difference and disadvantages?
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Nothing in your trailer will run on 240VAC. You could run 240V electrical to the location, but you need the one outlet for the trailer to be configured as 120 VAC. A second outlet for 240 VAC might come in handy for other things (welder, etc.)
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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06-19-2017, 04:27 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 ("Hotel California" -Aug 2017) Tow is 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel
Posts: 234
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Thanks for the answers:-) If I do this I'll make sure that it's a 120 v supply line
__________________
Lisa & Pete
"What if loving what you have is everything..." - Ellis
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06-19-2017, 05:25 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nrgtic4
Thanks for the answers:-) If I do this I'll make sure that it's a 120 v supply line
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Also, see Brian's post #10.
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Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-19-2017, 05:36 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 ("Hotel California" -Aug 2017) Tow is 2016 GMC Canyon Duromax Diesel
Posts: 234
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I will Cathy, thanks :-)
__________________
Lisa & Pete
"What if loving what you have is everything..." - Ellis
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