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30 amp service question

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.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #1 –
AC, micro and coffee all at once might be a bit much
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #2 –
Here is our experience on 30 Amp

Electrical question

We were surprised to find we could run the AquaHot on electric along with either the roof air or microwave or espresso machine. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #3 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #4 –
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


Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #5 –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #6 –
We've been able to run one roof AC or Microwave on 20 amp service. Microwave plus something else tripped the breaker.

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #7 –
Thanks all, I think I understand now.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
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)
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #9 –
Quote from: oldguy –

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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 30 amp service question

Reply #10 –
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.
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: 30 amp service question

Reply #11 –
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.
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB