Shore Power

[martybmw]

I hav a 21 Alpine 3700FL that I am going to temporarily park on my drive way. Plan on using the 2 AC units and recall reading the standard 110 outlet won't cut it. What changes do I need to make to get the proper amps?
thanks

 

[chuckster57]

You need to install a 50A RV receptacle, or use a generator that is 5000W running.

 

[martybmw]

Chuck thanks for such a quick reply and if I only use one AC can I get by with the standard outlet?

 

[snoobler]

If you don't need the full 12,000W of 120/240V power, a 30A 120V receptacle will be notably cheaper, and you can adapt it with a 30A to 50A adapter. You'll be limited to 3600W on both legs.

A 50A shore connection requires three 6awg wires and a ground wire, and will need a 50A dual pole breaker in your panel.

The 30A 120V can be safely done with two 10awg L and N and a ground wire with a single pole 30A breaker.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

We can run a single 15k AC with a softstart on a 20A household outlet but not much else, but that’s okay since the only other high-draw appliance in ours is the electric fireplace and if the AC is running there is no way we need that thing! When we built my parents’ house, my electrician brother didn’t think they needed a 30A or 50A outlet where they parked their motorhome, so he did a single circuit to that one exterior outlet. Our parents aged out of the motorhome, so we park our fifth wheel in that spot when we visit.

At home we have both a 30A and a 50A on either side of the house so we can use our camper as a guest house as well as handle a visitor with an RV. We also have water hookups but have not figured out the septic yet (aside from a macerator pump).

 

[sourdough]

Chuck thanks for such a quick reply and if I only use one AC can I get by with the standard outlet?

Is the outlet 15 or 20A? 20 would be much better. You can probably run one A/C....maybe. Depending on the condition it could pull enough that it "might" damage the A/C over the long term. I've done it, worried about it every minute, then installed a dedicated 50A for the RV so I didn't have to worry about it. You won't be able to run much other than the A/C when on. As a side note - I did do that with the current trailer and ran the A/C in the main cabin when we would get ready for a trip. Did it for 2 years and not a lot of time. Oddly, in the 3rd year that A/C had to be replaced.

 

[flybouy]

Unless you are very familiar with how your trailer uses 120vac AND know for a fact that that NOTHING else is plugged into that circuit in the house then I'd advise against it. With one a/c unit running and the converter charging the battery you will pretty much max out a 15 Amp circuit. I also would not recommend using a 15 Amp receptical unless you have an EMS to protect the camper from low voltage. Even with an EMS there's still a scenario where the compressor can start and the voltage drops for a short period of time and the EMS doesn't kick off. Over a long period of time this can weaken the compressore windings causing damage that may show up later.

So I suggest first determin what temporarily really means. If this becomes more long term then I'd seriously suggest looking into a 30 Amp dedicated line at a min. My BIL kept his 30' Jayco in his driveway. He blew out 3 fridge control boards and destroyed the a/c unit before finally taking my advice and I installed a 30 Amp service for him. The dealer replaced the damage he did under warranty so he was fortunate.

 

[martybmw]

I was thining 30 Amp would be probably needed so how to you upgrade from 15 amp?
thnaks

 

[chuckster57]

You need to check the wiring to the outlet and see if it’s rated for 30A, or run a new circuit with the proper sized romex and install a 30A RV receptacle.

 

[flybouy]

]

I was thining 30 Amp would be probably needed so how to you upgrade from 15 amp?
thnaks

You don't upgrade the circuit you replace it. There is nothing useful in that 15 Amp circuit that can be reused in a 30 Amp. I suggest you call a licensed electrician and and have them install a 30 Amp receptical.

 

[DutchmenSport]

The cost of installing a 50 amp RV outlet may be a little more than installing a 30 amp, but IF you are going to install a 30 amp, go ahead and just get the 50 amp and be done with it. This way, you have no more limitations and never have to worry about managing power again.

Considering you are able to park your camper at home, it actually would be a better choice to just go ahead, bite the bullet, and get the 50 amp RV outlet. You will never regret doing this.

Now, depending upon how your house is configured and built, it might be a challenge to run a new line just for the RV. But, regardless of what it takes, it is worth it to be able to have the full electric potential at home.

You "can" run 1 air conditioner on a house hold 15 / 20 amp circuit, but your camper and it's functionality is always limited. Once you establish full power in your camper at home, you'll probably be hanging out inside the camper more and more, enjoying it even at home, sleeping in it, and using it as a place to escape the routine of your house.

 

[JRTJH]

...

Considering you are able to park your camper at home, it actually would be a better choice to just go ahead, bite the bullet, and get the 50 amp RV outlet. You will never regret doing this.

...

Well, you'll probably regret it just once, when you shell out that payment to the electrician. After that, the "pain" will subside gradually and once you plug the trailer into that 50 amp circuit on a "super hot day" and turn on both air conditioners while your DW is microwaving a bag of popcorn, the pain will have completely subsided..... After that, no pain, just joy ....

 

[LHaven]

It's like buying the one-ton instead of the 3/4 ton tow vehicle - for the incremental increase in price, it sure beats doing it twice later. Our TT has become my mancave, and "unexpected guest" quarters.

 

[snoobler]

The cost of installing a 50 amp RV outlet may be a little more than installing a 30 amp, but IF you are going to install a 30 amp, go ahead and just get the 50 amp and be done with it. This way, you have no more limitations and never have to worry about managing power again.

The primary driver in this is distance. My panel is on the complete opposite side of my house as the RV gate. Cost to put in a box at the RV was nearly $2000. Cost to put a Box at the panel was $350. Cost of FOUR extension cords to connect to box at panel was $400. I went with $750.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

The voltage drop through FOUR extension cords is VERY concerning and may very well end up costing you as much in the long run as just doing it the right way in the first place.

 

[flybouy]

Getting back to the original post, he stated this would be a temporary arrangement with one a/c unit. In this scenario a 50 Amp circuit would be a very high price to pay for a "temporary" need. jmo

 

[snoobler]

The voltage drop through FOUR extension cords is VERY concerning and may very well end up costing you as much in the long run as just doing it the right way in the first place.

It's not concerning if you understand basic electrical science and confirm your equipment meets its ratings. I mΩ'd each extension cord to confirm its claimed awg.

Correction: 3 cords + the RV's chord. I bought 4 and used the 4th elsewhere. Forgot about that.

Are you speaking purely from paranoia, or have you actually run the numbers/taken measurements? I have.

I get that the manufacturers will say "don't do this or that" because it's a CYA situation. Reality is often quite different than what people say when CYA is their priority.

I have a 2.7V drop at 30A, and I've never pulled more than 30A on either leg, and I never will. That meets NEC max of 3%. That's 81W of heat dissipation over about 115' of cable. Nothing has ever been warm to the touch even in triple digit weather (okay everything is warm to the touch in that, but not any hotter than it should be).

Still happy I saved > $1200 and am completely confident I am not at risk of equipment damage.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I simply said it was concerning, not paranoia. I will spare you the trouble of sharing my credentials, knowledge and experience and just wish you all the best in your setup.

 

[martybmw]

Appreciate everyone's input so it sounds as if I plug the trailer in using only one AC unit on a 115 outlet with only a 15 amp fuse will it function maybe?
thanks

 

[flybouy]

Basically you have asked the same question 4 times now. I don't think anyone is going to change their opinions at this point.