30 AMP power -Will it run one A/C?

**Sportsdad60** · 02-06-2021, 06:09 AM

We head home in 7 weeks to Flathead Lake. Our home there has full hookups which we used with our previous 2000 Gulfstream 5th wheel for guests who visited.

With our new 310GK-R, I will have to use the 50 to 30 amp pig tail to plug in. My question is, will at least one AC run with the reduced amps while the residential fridge, lights, etc are on?

**FT4NOW** · 02-06-2021, 06:14 AM

Should be fine. I've had 30A campers in the past with an AC. Just gotta make sure not to run a microwave or other high power consumption item the same time as the AC. Residential fridges shouldn't draw too much power.

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**el Rojo** · 02-06-2021, 07:26 AM

You might need to watch the electric hot water too. Also when first hooking up, the battery charger will consume 13 to 15 amps in bulk charge mode. You need to be able to monitor your amp draw when using 30 amp service with a 50 amp rig. The easiest way is with a Progressive surge protector. Most come with a volt/amp display.

Red

**Ynot4me2** · 02-06-2021, 07:42 AM

Our tt is only 30amp and we are able to run everything including ac and microwave. However, I know that a 50amp is different. If I'm not mistaken, its divided into 2 legs. Now is each leg 25amp? If you have a 50amp and you plug into a 30amp does that mean each leg becomes 15amp?

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**Calbar** · 02-06-2021, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Ynot4me2

Our tt is only 30amp and we are able to run everything including ac and microwave. However, I know that a 50amp is different. If I'm not mistaken, its divided into 2 legs. Now is each leg 25amp? If you have a 50amp and you plug into a 30amp does that mean each leg becomes 15amp?

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Each leg of the 50Amp service is 50 Amps for a total of 100 Amps possible. With the 30 Amp adapter is just means 30 amps total not split. Can do 30 on one leg of the 50 Amp if you need to.

Rob

**boyscout** · 02-06-2021, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Sportsdad60

We head home in 7 weeks to Flathead Lake. Our home there has full hookups which we used with our previous 2000 Gulfstream 5th wheel for guests who visited. With our new 310GK-R, I will have to use the 50 to 30 amp pig tail to plug in. My question is, will at least one AC run with the reduced amps while the residential fridge, lights, etc are on?

We've had our 310GK on 30-amp service sites quite a bit. It will definitely run one A/C. Our hot water heater is always on electric heat when we're plugged in and we've often used the microwave on these sites, but I cannot swear that those were loading on the system at the same moment that the A/C was starting up or running. We haven't tripped a breaker.

**Calbar** · 02-06-2021, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by boyscout

We've had our 310GK on 30-amp service sites quite a bit. It will definitely run one A/C. Our hot water heater is always on electric heat when we're plugged in and we've often used the microwave on these sites, but I cannot swear that those were loading on the system at the same moment that the A/C was starting up or running. We haven't tripped a breaker.

Our previous Rockwood was only 30AMP. We ran the single AC, Hot water heater and microwave at the same time for 11 years. I am sure that at some point in that time they wear all on. I don't see it as an issue.

Rob

**Big Blue** · 02-06-2021, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Calbar

Our previous Rockwood was only 30AMP. We ran the single AC, Hot water heater and microwave at the same time for 11 years. I am sure that at some point in that time they wear all on. I don't see it as an issue.

Rob

It's not so much a question of can you do it ,as much as should you! It really depends on how good the Parks electrical is... Running the AC below 110 volts is not good for the compressor... Most parks now days have good power so it shouldn't be an issue.... just keep an eye on your voltage and adjust your power usage... The last 3 summers I've only run into 2 parks with bad power.... Years back we spent the summer in a older park with bad wiring... normal volts reading at 105v. during peak hours, lost the AC after 4 months....

**sande005** · 02-06-2021, 02:18 PM

My 2670MK is wired for 50 amp, but we never put in the second AC. We always plug in to 30 amp sites, and run everything. I bought a locking ring 50 to 30 adaptor so I could use the old 30 amp cord extension cord from the prior RV. I bring the original 50 amper along, for times when we need extra cord length, but have never needed to get it out. It is so much easier than wrestling with that monster heavy cord....

**boyscout** · 02-09-2021, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Big Blue

It's not so much a question of can you do it ,as much as should you! It really depends on how good the Parks electrical is... Running the AC below 110 volts is not good for the compressor... Most parks now days have good power so it shouldn't be an issue.... just keep an eye on your voltage and adjust your power usage... The last 3 summers I've only run into 2 parks with bad power.... Years back we spent the summer in a older park with bad wiring... normal volts reading at 105v. during peak hours, lost the AC after 4 months....

@Sportsdad60 the above is a consideration if you don't have a good power management device installed. We have this:

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-hw50c

... which ensures that if power voltage or quality varies much from the conditions that air conditioners and other appliances need then it disconnects the power and watches for it to improve. It has protected us a few times. However as @Big Blue says campsite power is usually OK and our air conditioner and other appliances are just fine.

Loading a park's 30-amp circuit with one of your trailer's A/C units isn't inherently a problem unless there's already a problem with the park's supply, which an EMS like the one above will protect you from.