15k btu AC on home shore power?

[Tebpac]

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if anyone is running their 15k AC on home shore power? I haven't put in a 30 or 50 amp plug at the house yet but plan to do so in the future. This would be plugged into a regular wall outlet through dog bones and a surge protector. Wondered if there was a sequence in turning off some things at the trailer mainframe to be able to use the AC or if it's possible at all.

[ckreef]

From my very recent experience a 15k ac unit won't properly fire up on a "regular wall outlet". Just install a 30 Amp socket and be done with it. Less than $100 in total and only 3 wires to hook up.

[Richter]

I have mine plugged into an outlet in my shop. Usually, these are 15-amp but, when we had the house built, I had the shop/garage wired at 20-amp. Seems to be just enough to run the A/C. Wasn’t looking to run the A/C on a fifth-wheel, but more to run my tools, such as a table saw and a few others. Just got lucky, I guess.

I also use a heavy-duty extension cord.

[Markb777]

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if anyone is running their 15k AC on home shore power? I haven't put in a 30 or 50 amp plug at the house yet but plan to do so in the future. This would be plugged into a regular wall outlet through dog bones and a surge protector. Wondered if there was a sequence in turning off some things at the trailer mainframe to be able to use the AC or if it's possible at all.

I run one of my AC units (usually the main living area) from May-October with the RV plugged into a 20A household outlet. The AC is set at 80, never had a problem and can simultaneously run the fan only on the other unit. I live in the Desert SW so it runs most every day. I would get a heavy duty extension cord and limit the length of the run as much as possible.
Mark

[Jerryr]

Todd,

It may barely work if you plug it into a 20 amp circuit. A 15k BTU A/C will draw about 14-15 amps. You would also need a heavy duty extension cord to limit voltage drop. Recommend a 12/3 cord like this. https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...dp/B01IN11IJ4/

Make sure your refrigerator is turned off or running on propane. Also turn off water heater. Also after plugging in wait a few minutes for the converter to top off your battery since it will draw about 4 amps initially.

[jh.xsnrg]

Other than the weight, why not just use your shore power cord that you already have, and just a stubby adapter to go from the 15A plug to 50A cord? That is the best way to eliminate voltage drop and get as many amps as possible to the camper instead of to the atmosphere.

[Tebpac]

Other than the weight, why not just use your shore power cord that you already have, and just a stubby adapter to go from the 15A plug to 50A cord? That is the best way to eliminate voltage drop and get as many amps as possible to the camper instead of to the atmosphere.

This is how I have it set up now. I run the 50 amp cord supplied by GD thru a 50/30, 30/15 doggone into my Progressive Surge Protector. All hooked up to the 15A socket. My problem is this; The house was built with a 150 amp circuit panel and I believe that all circuits are taken. Even with the 30 amp amp h/u, I'd have to splice it in somewhere. I was hoping to have a new 200 amp box put in to replace it and add more area to put in more 15A sockets in my garage along with a 30 or 50 amp h/u added for the trailer.
I do have a 50ft 12/3 ext cord as well but didn't want to add more length to the 30ft 50A cord. ( I was thinking of doing that so I could get my garage door all the way down. No outside sockets that are near enough to connect.) Oh, and by the way. I'm the last guy you want hooking up electrical stuff.

[Tebpac]

Thanks for all of the replies. The last thing I want to do is burn out my AC unit on a trailer I just picked up in October last year. It's given me some food for thought.

Todd

[jh.xsnrg]

One more thing you could do is put a sub-panel in off your 150A service. If you are not comfortable or it is not allowed for you to do so by code, by all means get an electrician to do it. Putting a sub-panel in would allow you to move circuits to that box, freeing up space in your main box for a new large breaker.

[Tebpac]

One more thing you could do is put a sub-panel in off your 150A service. If you are not comfortable or it is not allowed for you to do so by code, by all means get an electrician to do it. Putting a sub-panel in would allow you to move circuits to that box, freeing up space in your main box for a new large breaker.

JH, thanks. We had talked to our one electrician we use and had discussed that. He felt that just going to a bigger 200 amp box with more access would be better? Unsure. Either way, that never happened and with the current situation going on and salary changes etc, we're not in a position to do a big upgrade like that. It's not a huge problem if we can't run it but thought if family stays over or we have a need, it would be nice to have. It may have to wait.