Two A/Cs on 30 Amp?

[drillagent]

Heading to Oklahoma in July. The campground only has 30 amp. Not sure what I can run on 30 amp. I'm especially concerned with being able to run both A/Cs since I know it will be hot that time of the year. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[WeBeFulltime]

Sorry, you will only be able to run one A/C. Another campground with 50A maybe?

[bncinwv]

There is an option called a "cheater box" that we have used in the past. They must have separate circuits and the pedestal has to be non-GFCI. Worst case, you could rent two sites, run a 30 amp extension to your pedestal and use a cheater box. Here is what we have:


Cheater Box

You will have to check with the campground regarding the non-GFCI pedestal, most newer campgrounds have them, some older ones do not.

Bingo

[1retired06]

Without 50A, I would only run one. Other loads running as well. Cheater box is an option, many campgrounds do not allow.

[DQDick]

There are other things that you need to do in OK if you only have one AC. Reflective foam in the windows, slide toppers, window awnings are all things that will help one AC get you thru.

[dieselguy]

My second A/C is a Carrier 13K (no longer manufactured) if draws @13 amps running ... my main A/C is a Dometic 15K factory installed @16 amps running. If I shut absolutely everything else off, I can run both on 30amp service as long as I have them set cold enough to run continous without cycling. I also have an Autoformer that kicks the voltage back up if needed. Is it really practical ... not really, but I can and have done it during a scorcher while keeping the voltage around 111V.

[iowaone]

At some sites there is a way to this provided that you do some modification to your wiring. As has been mentioned you can use the cheater if there is no GFI. But that system band my suggestion both require that the 30 amp pole als has a15 or 15 amp outlet that is wired separately back to the meter. They usually are but not always. Any what I have done is tap into that 20 amp outlet with an exsention cord. I often run that to a heater inside. Very simple. To run an AC. Or microwave it gets more complicated but works slick I go to the circuit breaker box in the camper disconnect the wire to the AC. I then run a wire from that beaker to a convenient location that I place an autlet box and also run my extensions cord. Then I take that wire from the AC wirenut a addition cable in a box of course and run that to the same assessable location. I put a three prong plug on the AC extension cable. I then can plug the AC into the cord from the 20 amp outlet. On the end of the cable from the breaker box I put a male plug or duplex outlets. If i have 50 amp service then the AC plugs in there. I did the same thing with the Microwave because some times that's what creates then overload. So now I can easily take advantage of that extra 15 or 20 amps when I onl y have 30 amp service. You still only have the power of 50 amp service but it helps a lot. Hopefully this will make sense and since you are doing th AC you have some experience with wiring.

[rafael33155]

I camp every labor day in sebastian inlet state park in florida it only have 30 amp i have dual air what i do is put the fridge on propane the water heater on propane and bought led light i have no problem if i'm going to use the microwave or anything that uses ac i turn one of the a/c off till i'm done it's amazing how much those little 12 volt light draw so make sure to change all those 12 volt bulbs to led

[Mudchief]

What I have done with no problem in hot weather on 30 amps. I switch everything to propane. When it gets hot that you need to run both, set the main ac to 60 and that will keep the compressor running all the time. Then set the other unit to the temp that you want. This unit will cycle the compressor as needed. Now if you need to use the Microwave, toaster, hair dryer or any other high current unit you will need to turn the second unit off. The high draw of current on a ac is when the compressor kicks end. Keep them both from kicking in at the same time will keep the breaker from tripping.

[15 15]

Hi, We have a 2015 Monty 3400. It has dual zone thermostat, I dont know how to use one A?C by itself.. Couldnt understand the instructions, Anyone can advise me on it?

[Dam Worker]

15 15 I would think you can use one or the other by switching from zone one ( more than likely the LV area) and zone two the bed room. Each zone can be set to either heat or AC or off. You can also set fan speeds or leave the fans in auto mode. You can probably also set you HVAC to change temps during the day and night but I have not tried to set those.
I think they use a very user unfriendly thermostat.

Tom Marty