Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-06-2015, 07:06 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 45
Send a message via Skype™ to LovinRVlife
Can I run the AC on a household outlet?

Hi everyone I hope everyone is well. I have a question.

Can I run one of my AC's on a standard 110 household outlet? Let me digress I know that it will run it, my concern is whether or not it will hurt the AC. I have checked the voltage coming to the RV when the AC is running on the 110 outlet and I am getting 98 Volts. Is that sufficient or will that damage the RV over time? The voltage to the RV turned off is 113. I will be dry camping here for the next few months and I am in Louisiana so winter doesn't start here until January .

Thank you

David
__________________

David & Lisa
2015 F450 Platinum
2013 36 RL
LovinRVlife is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2015, 07:41 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 35
I'll take a run at this and allow the more knowledgeable to make corrections. The issue isn't volts, it is amps. Often, household wall plugs are 15 amp, because there are several outlets in series they lead to a 20 amp breaker. One AC will pull about 13 amps so, if it's the only thing running, no problem. But, turn on a few lights, inverter/converter charge batteries or cycle refrig (depending on your setup) surely don't start microwave or turn on hair dryer, coffee pot. Minimum service to run one AC unit in an occupied RV is 30 amp.
hmdarwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2015, 09:54 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
johnboytoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,055
At minimum levels like that you have to consider the distance as well...
the amps are marginal at best,
and the voltage WILL drop over a long distance with a small cord...
The STARTING load is where your issue will be worst...

So...
use as short and "large" a cord as you can,
turn everything on that supply circuit off,
turn everything in the rv off,
plug in, turn the fan ONLY on... let it get up to speed and stabilize,
THEN turn on the compressor....
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2015, 12:34 AM   #4
Site Team
 
hoosierguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,340
Quote:
Originally Posted by LovinRVlife View Post
Hi everyone I hope everyone is well. I have a question.

Can I run one of my AC's on a standard 110 household outlet? Let me digress I know that it will run it, my concern is whether or not it will hurt the AC. I have checked the voltage coming to the RV when the AC is running on the 110 outlet and I am getting 98 Volts. Is that sufficient or will that damage the RV over time? The voltage to the RV turned off is 113. I will be dry camping here for the next few months and I am in Louisiana so winter doesn't start here until January .

Thank you

David

Most household appliances are designed to operate over a voltage range of 120 VAC +/- 20% which is 96 to 144 VAC. At 96 VAC, the A/C will operate although not optimally. If your line voltage is dropping from 113 down to 98 VAC when the trailer is plugged in, either the the wire gage is insufficient or there are loose connections in the supply pedestal. I would have the campground check that.
__________________
Guy & Phyllis
2012 RW36RL,DualA/C,KodiakDiskBrakes,TrailAir Tri-Glide,GY_G614's,Roadmaster Comfort Ride Slipper Spring Suspension
2011Dodge3500Laramie,CrewCab,4x4,SRW,Michelins, LongBed,6.7LCTD,3.73,PullRiteSuper5th20.5KHitch, BlueOxBedsaver

hoosierguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2015, 01:03 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,807
If you are seeing that much of a voltage drop with the AC running, that means there is even a much larger drop when the compressor first kicks on. With that said, I would be very worried about causing problems. My onboard EMS shuts down all power to our unit if the Line Voltage drops below 104 Volts.
If you can reduce the voltage drop, by using a shorter run and larger guage cord you might be OK, but I would want to bet my AC Compressor on it.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD Crew Cab High Country DRW, D/A, 2016 RW39MB, Dual ACs, Auto Level, Auto Sat Dish, Stack W/D, King Sleep #, 17.5" Sailuns w/Disc, MORryde IS & Pin, Comfort Ride Hitch, 5.5 Onan, Res Fridge & Induction Cook Top
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2015, 12:22 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Unless it's an absolute emergency...pregnant woman who needs a cool place or you have to leave your dog behind, I wouldn't do it. Starting compressors at low voltage will cause damage over time.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×