Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up (Read 1018 times) previous topic - next topic

Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Hi there,

I tried to search for this question and did not have any luck - I apologize in advance if this is a duplication.

We tried last year to run our coach at a 30 AMP site and had great difficulty.  The fridge was on propane, no air, and we were not using the major appliances.  We were running interior lights and trying to turn on the receiver and TV even that seemed to be too much of a load.  Is there a setting on the Xantrex that we are missing?

Maybe we always need to be at a 50 AMP site - just want to see if that is for sure.

Thanks,
Kath

Thanks,
Kath & Mike
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 336
Toad 2022 Jeep Gladiator Overland edition

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #1 –
Set the Xantrex  on the lowest setting, [probably 15 amp input] make sure aqua-hot electric heater or heaters are off.
Should not have a problem even running one air or one aqua-hot electric heater and tv etc. on 30 amps. Even if Xantrex at highest setting, will only pull about 12 amps, leaving 10+ amps for tv, stereo etc.  Might have a shore power problem.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Kath and Mike Reinert –
Hi there,

I tried to search for this question and did not have any luck - I apologize in advance if this is a duplication.

We tried last year to run our coach at a 30 AMP site and had great difficulty.  The fridge was on propane, no air, and we were not using the major appliances.  We were running interior lights and trying to turn on the receiver and TV even that seemed to be too much of a load.  Is there a setting on the Xantrex that we are missing?

Maybe we always need to be at a 50 AMP site - just want to see if that is for sure.

Thanks,
Kath


From our experience with our 2007 Nimbus, you are able to run the coach on 30 Amp. First, do not tinker with the Xantrex. This unit should be left as is and there is nothing on our model of Xantrex to change. You can easily run an air conditioner (one) and the television. I have a residential refrig that uses only electric and that runs as well. I even have a freezer below on electric running on 30 amps. Be sure your second air conditioner is turned off and the hydro hot electric heater is also turned off. You can run the diesel hot water. No matter how many 12 volt lights you turn on does not have any bearing on running with 30 amps.

I suspect you might have had a low voltage 30 amp before and that can cause issues. You do have an amperage meter in the coach and should see how much amperage you are drawing.

 Unfortunately, they're not that many members here with 2007 or newer coaches. The coaches do have some differences than the older units.
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #3 –
We have a 2008 Nimbus and have used a 30 amp hookup on many occasions without much problem except the limit of only being able to run one A/C at a time.  With a dark rig like ours on a hot sunny day it isn't enough.

Do you have a meter that shows you how many amps you are drawing?  Our Surge Guard brand whole rig surge protector shows how many amps are flowing over each leg of the two legs that feed all the AC uses in the coach at any given moment.  With something like that, it's easy to see what you are drawing and to learn what each device draws.

We can easily leave the fridge and one of the electric water heater elements of the Oasis heater on all the time and use the TV and not worry about coming close to using 30 amps.  If we use the microwave or an electric kettle or toaster, then we turn off the electric element on the water heater, even if it isn't actually calling for heat at the time, just to be safe.

Regarding Jcus's comment about settings on the inverter, we have a different brand of inverter, but I have found the max ours uses while we are plugged in is 7 amps, though I have it set to a max of 9 amps.  My inverter has two setting to control it's draw.  One is the setting I just mentioned, and the other is a setting that, when reached, the battery charger starts to "back off", but, the inverter will still allow more amps than the setting to flow through it.  I assume your invert has the same type of settings.  As a previous post said about not tinkering with the inverter, I only changed settings after I was very sure I understood what I was doing (read the manual and called the manufacturer).

In case you're new to a 50 amp RV, something I didn't learn right away about 50 amp service is that it is two legs of 120 volts and each is capable of delivering 50 amps.  So, if you can monitor the draw on each leg as I mentioned above, you should have 100 amps total available to use when using a 50 amp service.  So, more than three times as much power as a 30 amp service.  Not intuitive for me.

Hope that helps.
2008 Nimbus

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bobnkathy –
From our experience with our 2007 Nimbus, you are able to run the coach on 30 Amp. First, do not tinker with the Xantrex. This unit should be left as is and there is nothing on our model of Xantrex to change. You can easily run an air conditioner (one) and the television. I have a residential refrig that uses only electric and that runs as well. I even have a freezer below on electric running on 30 amps. Be sure your second air conditioner is turned off and the hydro hot electric heater is also turned off. You can run the diesel hot water. No matter how many 12 volt lights you turn on does not have any bearing on running with 30 amps.

I suspect you might have had a low voltage 30 amp before and that can cause issues. You do have an amperage meter in the coach and should see how much amperage you are drawing.

 Unfortunately, they're not that many members here with 2007 or newer coaches. The coaches do have some differences than the older units.
Beg to differ Bob, Xantrex will try to charge batteries to make up for the draw of any 12 volt load, including 12 volt lights. If you draw 100 watts out of batteries in lighting, charger/inverter will supply that 100 watts and whatever necessary to bring batteries up to full charge. The Xantrex uses shore power to charge the batteries. As far as batteries and battery charging, I doubt if there is much difference in your 2007 and any other Foretravel with an inverter/charger.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #5 –
Thanks so much for all the feedback.  I suspect we were on a site with super low voltage.  Looking forward to trying again.

Thanks,
Kath & Mike
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 336
Toad 2022 Jeep Gladiator Overland edition

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #6 –
Quote from: bobnkathy –
First, do not tinker with the Xantrex. This unit should be left as is and there is nothing on our model of Xantrex to change.


OK, lets look at that one.  The answer is is "DEPENDS". If the batteries are deeply discharged and you do not use the power share/power save to limit the charger section of the inverter/charger to limit how much of your 30amps you use to charge the batteries, sure, turning on only a few things can exceed 30 amps total.  Best to limit the charger section to5 amps @ 120 VAC.

Please tell us why that is not a good idea.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #7 –
Make real sure your block heater is off when on 30 amp - or account for that load.  Anything that has a heating element is a large draw.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #9 –
I have owned several Xantrex units, SW3000, SW3012, SW2012 and sometimes plugging in to my garage on a 15 amp breaker, parks at 30 amp and 50 amp.  Depending on the firmware version of your Xantrex, the settings can vary from the owners manual.  It is very important to download the correct pdf file for the manual, if you do not have the original.  You will need to especially read the section of how to switch between basic and advanced settings.  I have found just running all of the interior lights and trying to charge discharged batteries and a too long a cord from the garage, I can trip the 15 amp breaker.  Only when plugged into 15 amp breaker, with discharged batteries, I now set the breaker setting to 10 amps and limit the charge rate to 50%.  With charged batteries I can set at 15 amps, still leave at 50% charge rate.  I would check that the Xantrex settings match what your batteries require and match what is the smallest breaker on the circut.  Often these are set to default, which may not be correct for your battery bank or breaker.

It appears you have had this rv less than a year, do you know the age of the batteries.  If not, I would check each one.  One failing can pull the others down.  Are they AGM or Gel, has someone replaced them with wet cell and now you have water that is low?  Are all the terminal connection tight, a loose connection can discharge the batteries as you drive, instead of charging them.  I see this Interstate Distributer a couple hours away in Prescott that could check this for you.  My local Interstate distributer is also a Lifeline dealer, which I've had excellent experience with.  https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x872d21603c09fe07:0xee53e4c7e894214e!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/what%2Bis%2Bclosest%2Binterstate%2Bbattery%2Bdistributor%2Bto%2BMunds%2BPark%2BAZ/@34.5850404,-112.3080025,3a,75y,179.82h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211spQBxW6-Ttxk_-jyBOiV3zg*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x872d21603c09fe07:0xee53e4c7e894214e!5swhat+is+closest+interstate+battery+distributor+to+Munds+Park+AZ+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2spQBxW6-Ttxk_-jyBOiV3zg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx-Pe0y4bZAhUJ-GMKHdF3AewQpx8IcDAK

The firmware is only up-gradable at an authorized service center, they do not recommend upgrading unless you are having an issue.  This I find a slight negative for me, however, having never had an issue with a Xantrex unit over the past fourteen years, I bought last year a replacement for the 20 year old factory Heart unit, a Xantrex SW2012.  As with the other Xantrex units I've owned, I am totally satisfied.  And yes, it could have been a bad post where you were hooked up and you have no problem.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #10 –
I seriously doubt that you would have low batteries after pulling in to an rv spot. The Nimbus and Phoenix both have large alternators and they would surely keep the batteries charged while driving. So I would not even think your problem would be that your power issue is because the charger/inverter is charging batteries. I am an original owner of our rig and have used it on 30 amp hundred of times. Just this year we replaced the house batteries so even with 10 year old batteries we had no issues. Again from experience do not change settings on anything until you try it out again. If you find a problem take it in for service for proper care.
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #11 –
Bob,

I agree that after driving any distance, both battery banks should be charged.  But while in storage, if shore power goes off and batteries run down, when power is restored, you really want to insure that the inverter/charger is programmed to 5 amps.  If left in high setting, it can cause loads to exceed 30 amps.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #12 –
Quote from: bobnkathy –
I seriously doubt that you would have low batteries after pulling in to an rv spot. The Nimbus and Phoenix both have large alternators and they would surely keep the batteries charged while driving. So I would not even think your problem would be that your power issue is because the charger/inverter is charging batteries. I am an original owner of our rig and have used it on 30 amp hundred of times. Just this year we replaced the house batteries so even with 10 year old batteries we had no issues. Again from experience do not change settings on anything until you try it out again. If you find a problem take it in for service for proper care.
I do not think changing your inverter settings require "taking it in for service". There is a reason the settings  are user/owner accessible from the remote panel located inside your coach. It just takes reading the manual, and understanding what to adjust.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #13 –
Yes, limiting the charger section's charge rate is a 5 SECOND operation from your in-coach remote panel.

And 5 amps at 120 VAC still provides your battery with around 38 amps at 14 VDC. Not like you are putting your batteries on a "diet". And charging voltage remains unchanged.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020
 

Re: Can you run a 2007 36' Nimbus on a 30 AMP hook up

Reply #14 –
I know I would leave the engine running while plugging in. I wanted it on for leveling and slides anyway but if I plugged in then the charger would not switch to bulk charge.  We all arrived at a campground and plugged in and blew the main breaker of the campground. By doing this I bypassed the bulk charge was easier on the batteries the coach leveled faster and plenty of power to put out the two slides.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon