Electrical hook up when visiting family

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Electrical hook up when visiting family

December 28, 2017, 04:08:25 pm

If/when we find a preowned LD MB 27’, we are wondering when we travel and visit family members that do not have 30amp RV plugs, how many extension cords do we run to an outdoor or other outlet nearby in their garage for example.

Is their a way to run one extension cord to get the AC working, and another to run lights and battery chargers? Is there an adapter to do this, or a way to run separate extension cords?? I don’t want to blow up my LD the first day lol Thank you in advance 🐯🎄

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #1 – December 28, 2017, 05:03:16 pm

You only need a 30 amp connection if you're consuming 30 amps. Look around for a nice in-line ammeter you can make some measurements with. If you make a note not to use more than the source outlet can supply, then you can use an adaptor from standard extension cord to your 30A connector. If you overload things, then the source's breaker will blow, and require both a reset and a reduction of consumption on your part. You should be able to run just the air conditioner (nothing else) on a household 20 amp circuit, using a short-as-possible 12 ga. extension cord, if you're the only load on that household circuit. Run a separate short-as-possible 12 ga. extension cord for all the other loads -- lighting, TV, microwave, etc.

The challenge is separating those things, that are combined in the LD's electric setup. Most folks find that running the extension cord either thru a cab window or carefully thru the cab door weatherstripping is a good way to get to the inside of the coach. From there, plugging in TV and (probably) microwave is pretty accessible. Lighting is tougher -- using temporary lighting is one solution.

That said, the AC plus one or two lights may not be a problem (especially if LEDs.) Manually rationing AC is another approach, depending on local temps. If you're using the fridge on AC, that might be a challenge. Look on the labels for how much power is needed for it. Cooling off the rig before bedtime might also be a good excuse to exercise the generator by running AC from it, instead of the host house. Just unplug the host, start the genny and let it warm up, then run AC until cool. Revert back to host power. When it cycles again at night, it's likely your lights will be off and you'll be asleep. Check with your host about disturbing the neighbors, of course...

If you're essentially docked to a house, will you really be cooking in the camper? There are re-wiring ways around all this, but if it's a one-time thing, it's probably not cost-effective to have done. And (please, take no offense) but if you needed to ask, then it's not likely a DIY matter.

Chip

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #2 – December 28, 2017, 05:24:44 pm

It is hard to split out the AC loads in most motor homes. In a MB the AC for the fridge is an exception. One can unplug the AC line for the fridge behind the outside compartment door and plug it into an extension brought up to that compartment. Otherwise plan on running fridge on propane only.

On extension cords, the heavier duty, the better (to minimize the voltage loss and heat buildup in the extension cord). My preferred way is to use a 30A extension cord ahead of the LD power cord, with a "dog bone" 30A->15A plug adapter. Also, be aware that GFCI protected outlets don't always like motorhome AC circuitry, and will often fault. Also be sure you know what else might share the circuit you plug into that could cut into the power available.

Air conditioners are always a bit marginal on 15/20A household circuits. Once up and running a 13,500 BTU A/C needs around 13A of current. That is very marginal on a 15A circuit, better on a 20A circuit. But the killer is usually the start current surge needed to get the compressor started. For a fraction of a second that current can be over 50A! Also running an A/C over too small an extension cord can result in enough voltage loss that the compressor is running at a low enough voltage to possibly cause damage. If you have a Progressive Industries EMS, it may drop the circuit if the voltage gets that low.

HTH,
Art

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #3 – December 28, 2017, 05:25:24 pm

Quote from: TigerRE - December 28, 2017, 04:08:25 pm

If/when we find a preowned LD MB 27’, we are wondering when we travel and visit family members that do not have 30amp RV plugs, how many extension cords do we run to an outdoor or other outlet nearby in their garage for example.

Is their a way to run one extension cord to get the AC working, and another to run lights and battery chargers? Is there an adapter to do this, or a way to run separate extension cords?? I don’t want to blow up my LD the first day lol Thank you in advance 🐯🎄

Can I Plug In A RV To A Home Electrical System?

Chris

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #4 – January 01, 2018, 11:04:02 am

I have found that sometimes the microwave will drop the voltage below 108 which will cause the progressive industries monitor to shut off power. An electric heater will work on 750 watts but not 1500 watts. I attribute this to having to long an extension cord of to light a gauge. I think you could have problems running AC also. I think a short enough, heavy enough power cord could help.

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #5 – January 01, 2018, 03:32:16 pm

I had a dedicated 20A circuit in the garage. I ran the 30A marinco cord thru a 30A-20A adapter to an older 50' 14 Ga extension cord. AC ran nicely, but the 30-20 adapter melted to the extension cord. Replacing the adapter and using a 25' 12 Ga extension cord worked. The adapter got warm, but not melted.
I later added a 30 amp circuit on the garage wall (a checkbook is a great labor saving device) and problem solved.

Re: Electrical hook up when visiting family

Reply #6 – January 01, 2018, 04:11:02 pm

We have spent hundreds of nights 'driveway camping' .
If lucky, we get one good 20-amp circuit to use.
This is enough to run one big or two small heaters or the rooftop A/C.
To make this possible, run the refrigerator propane only and shut off the converter, running the coach's electrical of battery power.
The converter only needs to be off is the A/C or electric heaters are used.
Our LD's solar is usually enough to keep the batteries charged.

Learning to balance your LD's power needs, with the available sources, is a new skill to learn.
The only time we really need driveway power is when it is so hot that rooftop A/C is needed.
Electric power for heaters is a nice but not necessity, with our two catalytic heaters, along with the furnace.

To monitor the power consumption, helping to prevent the popping of circuit breakers, we use a hardwired Progressive Industry's EMS-HW30C surge protector, with its external readout.
It show voltage, amperage used, the correctness of the wiring and over/under voltage protection.
It is a recommended product that any RV owner will find useful and will add another layer of safety.
Progressive Industries, Inc. | Rv Surge Protection

Larry

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