Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Old Hippie on March 15, 2015, 10:49:02 am

Title: 30 amp service question
Post by: Old Hippie on March 15, 2015, 10:49:02 am
Due to incompetance by this CG (Payson RV CG) I had to take a 30 amp spot. This is the 1st time I have hooked to 30 amps so I was wondering what can I run without tripping the breaker; maybe 1 AC unit, water heater, micro, fridge, coffee pot would be great.
Glad it is cool here now.
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Tim Fiedler on March 15, 2015, 10:57:54 am
AC, micro and coffee all at once might be a bit much
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Michelle on March 15, 2015, 10:59:26 am
Here is our experience on 30 Amp

Electrical question (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=7823.msg34309#msg34309)

We were surprised to find we could run the AquaHot on electric along with either the roof air or microwave or espresso machine. 
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on March 15, 2015, 11:11:17 am
Old Hippie,

We have run one AC and TV, etc off 120V, 20 amp plug. If worried about the fridge, change the settings to either 12V (if you have a 12V choice) or propane. We don't have a reel for the big cord so just take a HD 120V cord and adapter with us unless it's going to be really hot. I do like to occasionally feel the cord at the CG outlet and where it plugs into the coach. We shut off the air when using the MW. Naturally, if not hot, we don't plug in and use the PV.

At home, I use a 200 amp wire feed welder, 5 hp compressor and the well pump off the same 30 amp circuit. We have an old Disneyland "house of tomorrow" electric range downstairs that does get a 50 amp circuit. Spins the meter like a top.

Pierce
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 15, 2015, 11:13:57 am
OH... 30 amp service gets you about 3600 watts max at 120 volts.  Usually about 2 things at a time

Big users, Max loads ...
Microwave  13.3 amps
120v/gas refrig  2.7 amps
AquaHot  13.5 amps
AC  15 amps each
Inv/conv/charger  15 amps
Toaster    7 amps

Watts = Volts x Amps

Not all of these use this much all the time.  If your not charging for example the inverter will be much lower.  The AH and refrigerator are not on all the time

Look in the back of you white FT user's Manual for Drawing A-2700.15  2 pages for the 120 v (they call it 110v) electrical diagram.  It shows expected loads for different installed devices.  Your drawing number may be different for a later model year.

Roger


Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: wa_desert_rat on March 15, 2015, 11:14:43 am
You can also turn off the charger/converter and run the 12v systems on battery only during the day and then charge 'em up at night when you're not using any other power.

Craig
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Paul Smith on March 15, 2015, 11:45:50 am
We've been able to run one roof AC or Microwave on 20 amp service. Microwave plus something else tripped the breaker.

best, paul
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Old Hippie on March 15, 2015, 11:49:22 am
Thanks all, I think I understand now.
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: oldguy on March 15, 2015, 05:59:45 pm
At home, I use a 200 amp wire feed welder, 5 hp compressor and the well pump off the same 30 amp circuit.


The 30 amp service the you use your wire feed, compressor and well pump is it a 240 volt service

(added quote for clarity - Michelle)
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: Michelle on March 15, 2015, 06:20:40 pm

The 30 amp service the you use your wire feed, compressor and well pump is it a 240 volt service

Excellent point!  30 amp, 240 volt is generally 30 amps on each of 2 120V legs, so 60 amps available.  Generally, if you plug an RV into this service you will fry things.

30 amp RV service is 30 amps on 1 120V leg, so 1/2 the capacity, 30 amps available.

50 amp RV service is (if wired correctly) 50 amps on each of 2 120V legs, so 100 amps available.

LOTS of good info on this site:  RV Electric (http://www.myrv.us/electric/)
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: wolfe10 on March 15, 2015, 06:41:38 pm
Since we are discussing 30 amp service at an RV park, no issues with two hots.  Just one hot, one neutral and one ground.

In you 30 amp male to 50 amp female adapter, the single hot on the 30 amp end ties to BOTH hots on the 50 amp end.

Now, as suggested, instead of 100 amps at 120 VAC you have 30 amps at 120 VAC.  SO MANAGE YOUR POWER USE.

On your inverter panel cut back power share to 5 amps (enough to charge batteries, but will leave you amps for other things).

Turn off 120 VAC water heater element if you have one.

One A/C  and other small things is fine.
Title: Re: 30 amp service question
Post by: TheBrays on March 15, 2015, 10:47:09 pm
There are advantages to having a simpler coach...

Our obviously preference is for 50amp power.  With that said, the only time we even covet the "Big Plug" is when there is the probability of requiring both front and back A/Cs. Other than that, we live the same way on 50 or 30. In fact, I can't remember a time when we ran the back A/C at night. (Of course the kerosene lamps smoke a lot and I'm running out of glass slides for the kerosene projector but you just have to put up with these modern appliances. ;D )

We got in the habit of energy conservation on the boat and for the most part continue. We are trading propane for electricity.