When only a 20 Amp plug is available, what can I run?

[stevek]

We are parked at a spot. The distance to the power pedestal is a very far away, and shared with another camper.
I have my 30 amp cord that came with my BF.
Plus I have a 50 foot 10 gauge 20 amp extension cord.
Can I run my AC safety?
What about my other stuff. Refer, Micro, etc?

Or should I buy a 30 amp extension cord? A 30 amp plug is available at the pedestal.

Any other advice? Thanks..

[oliverpsmile]

Current carrying capacity of both cords is 30 amps. Running A/C with 50 some feet cords would be OK. Probably running A/C and Micro at the same time would be at the capacity limit (Voltage Drop would not be prohibitive). However, by running both loads you would overload the receptacle at the pedestal. For a short time (5-10 minutes) it is OK too withe hope that the receptacle is industrial grade.

[bigdipper]

Steve,
Just buy a 30 Amp extension cord. Also a small voltmeter so you know inside voltage.
Ralph

[whemme]

Steve,

Using 20-amp service with a 30-amp to 20-amp adapter you can run your AC or your microwave but not both at the same time. Doing will result in blowing the 20-amp breaker at the pedestal.

Also, don't try running a hair dryer or a toaster at the same time as the AC or microwave.

[Roger H]

Steve, remember that the longer the run, the more resistance in the copper... Most RV manufacturers recommend not to use any extension cords. Most of the time, on a 30 amp circuit you can get away with running a 25' 30amp RV extension cord. Runs longer than that make the supply iffy at the coach, potentially causing brownout conditions. Personally, I wouldn't run much but lights on a 50' 10 gauge cord, but you might be able to get away with it. The things most likely to be damaged by a low-voltage condition are your air conditioner and your microwave.

I'd also verify that your "20 amp" outlet is actually a 20 amp and not a 15 amp as most residential house-hold circuits are, in fact 15 amp. If the supply is only 15 amps, your problem may be even more precarious.

Roger

[stevek]

Thanks everybody. I ended up with a 30 amp 25 foot RV extension cord.
Ran the AC no problem, plus limited use of the Micro.

Plus you gave me thoughts about reading the voltage inside my Born Free.
I guess this is to keep track of the voltage drop due to the long run of "cord".
Any idea on what i should purchase? Thanks. I guess something that plugs into one of the 110 outlets?

Like this? 4 bucks from China on eBay.

[randallrae]

http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt50c This watches the voltage for you and so much more!

[stevek]

Thanks.. My BF, which I bought used, came with one.
Might be the basic one.
PI Model SSP30. And I use it.
Should I upgrade?

Still would be nice to read the AC voltage inside the coach.

My total cable run was 30 feet plus 25 feet extension = 55 feet.
10 ga wire, and running the AC a lot + misc stuff like refer, lights, TV. Micro once in awhile. What would the voltage drop be anyway?
At what point would I have to worry?

Thanks.

[Dallas Baillio]

Steve,

Here is a link to the one I have.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... itor/24900

[Roger H]

My total cable run was 30 feet plus 25 feet extension = 55 feet.
10 ga wire, and running the AC a lot + misc stuff like refer, lights, TV. Micro once in awhile. What would the voltage drop be anyway?
At what point would I have to worry?

Thanks.

Steve, the answer to the question you're asking is a moving target.

The voltage drop depends on the resistance of the wire plus the number of things you have drawing on it. The resistance of the wire will vary with temperature and the quality of the connections between the cords and the power source outlet.

With a voltage meter, you can kind of keep tabs on your voltage. Generally anything less than 110v is dropping into the brownout zone that can start frying electrics.

Here's a link to the line voltage meter type I've used for the past twenty-five years:

https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Products-1 ... tage+meter

Roger

[stevek]

Thanks Guys. Dallas, does yours plug in?

As per a voltage drop on line calculator. So i guess in my case there was nothing to worry about.

[randallrae]

Surge protectors only protect you from a surge . Most RV's are damaged by low voltage . The one in my link is made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty . It protects you 24 hours a day, when connected , from high and low voltages & frequency , missing ground , miswired pedestal , and surges . I have had mine for over a year and it has protected me twice , once it detected out of frequency , and when I plugged in at home it detected high voltage (135 volts). The latter required the power company to replace our transformer .
It removes power from the coach until the problem is corrected , and displays a fault code to keep you informed . When in operation it displays voltage , current ,and faults .
The plug in meters tell you the voltage when you look at them , but don't protect you , and you can't watch them all the time .

[Dallas Baillio]

Steve,

Yes it plugs in. In all my travels it detected reverse polarity only once, at my daughter's home when she had an electrician install a 30 amp outlet. My generator tends to surge sometimes and it has often detected this malfunction. I enjoy reading the many modifications BF owners make to their rigs ( oops sorry I mean kumquats) but rarely adopt them myself. They almost universally make an improvement in some phase of RV travel. I 've found that the stock BF as delivered is plenty good enough for me. The monitor I gave the link to is an exception.

[Mike Jean Bandfield]

In reading over this thread it occurred to me that it is very easy to overlook factors other than extension cords that may contribute to AC load problems.

• - The number of other RVs connected to your circuit and the number of ACs running.
  - The length of the run to your pedestal. Is your favorite spot at the end of a 1/4 mile loop?
  - Low voltage at the pedestal. Monitoring the voltage before attaching a load can help you determine if the problem belongs to you or the RV park.
  - Switching your refer to propane to propane can reduce your AC load considerably.
  - Turn off your water heater or alternate between the water heater and AC briefly. 10-15 minutes will get the water comfortably warm for a couple of hours if usage remains low.
  - Turn off the AC for the short time it takes to ding something in the microwave.

Mike

[stevek]

Thanks everyone. Guess I should describe my situation in more detail.
We were at the local County Fair Grounds. All the sites were at the very least...Doubled UP with 2 RV's, for the Fair.
At our pedestal was 3 RV's. My BF and 2 Trailers.
2 were plunged into 30 amp, and 1 into the 20 amp. We all ran AC.
I was the furtherest away with 55 feet of elect. cord and plugged into one of the 30 amp receptacles.
This all adds to my concerns of low voltage?
We go to this event every year.
Just planning ahead for next year.

Whats happens anyway when you have low voltage? What damage can it due to AC?
I guess I can buy a PI, as suggested by randallrae.
But what if it does read low voltage?
There goes our week at the local County Fair.
Or no AC.