The campsite I,m at now currently has only 15AMP service, my trailer 2007 TT Salem 27FT. I can not run A/C unit without blowing breaker at campsite, My question is: Is it possible to boost campsite power to 20 AMP or 30 AMP. All info is greatly appreciated.
No! If you want to continue to camp at that campground, you will need a generator cabable of running your airconditioner, or just not use the airconditioner.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
You are running other things besides the A/C unit. You just might not think that you are running them.
The battery charger is one load that can use 1 or 2 amps - and even more if the battery was kinda low when you plugged into the park.
The other things might include 10 - 50 watts for the TV remote and VCR to run their remote receiver and LED lights. Also the 350 watt refrigerator might have switched to electric without you noticing.
Here is what I would do. Turn off all the circuit breakers other than the A/C one and the main breaker. Then turn on the A/C fan to high with the thermostat set to it's highest setting. After the fan motor has started, then switch on the compressor (by setting the temperature down to it's lowest setting (so compressor will not shut off then attempt to restart).
Sorry to say you can not draw more than 15 amps from a recceptacle protected by a 15 amp circuit breaker. But last time I checked, my rooftop 13,500 Btu A/C only is useing 12.5 amps, so it should work, if there are not additional loads, such as the battery charger and TV set.
You can leave the battery charger off all day long, and run it at night for a few hours to recharge, and you will be fine. If the A/C stats to use more power later in the day, then shut it off when it is say 95F or warmer outside, then turn on the battery charger or watch TV until you can run the A/C again.
If you can plug in things like the TV and battery charger to another circuit, then you can move some of your power over to another receptacle.
Fred.
* This post was
edited 07/08/08 06:44pm by Golden_HVAC *
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
It is also possible to burn out your compressor if the voltage from the campground drops when you are running it on only 15 Amps. I wouldn't do it. Good Luck..
Howard, USN Ret
2000 Ford Excursion,V10, Limited
2003 Terry 27H. Super Slide
Have you tried flipping all breakers off inside the trailer except for the main and air?
Basically no you cannot get more power out of the connector. If it is just the start surge tripping the breaker you could get an inverter that will combine battery power with it to get over the surge. Cost would be close to $3000.
Possibly a start capacitor may help. Or swapping the air unit for a high efficiency unit that draws ~11 amps running.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
You cannot "boost" a 15 amp circuit. It's probably delivering even less than 15 amp. Ohm's law, E=I*R says you are UNABLE to run your AC unit. Period. No free lunch.
Rick
& wife Loie & Kodi Dog (blk male std poodle)
1995 F-250 460 Banks (wow!) & 2005 25' Bigfoot RQ
During the summer we usually camp in a park which has (2) separate 15 amp circuits at each site. This park also has a problem with low voltage. I have separated the trailer circuit for the A/C unit so it is powered by one of the parks 15 amp circuits and the rest of the trailer is powered by a separate cable to the other 15 amp circuit. I have an in line Hughes Autoformer on the circuit feeding the A/C unit and it runs fine!! Keeps the wife happy... she can watch TV in air conditioned comfort while I go fishing!!
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: FINALLY... 2002 Cougar 276EFS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4; (Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)
15 amps is 15 amp there is no way to increase that unless you put in a larger breaker and wires. Can't get something for nothing.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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