Please help me with 30 amp ??
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Topic: Please help me with 30 amp ??
Posted By: Donnat10
Subject: Please help me with 30 amp ??
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 5:28pm
| I am getting really confused.....we have a 25 ft 30 amp power cord that came with the rpod 177 we just purchased. We park the camper under our carport that does not have a power source closer than 40ft away. We plug it in to a an adapter that plugs into a regular 110 extension cord, then into a 110 outlet. When we do this and try to run just the AC in the camper within 2 minutes the breaker trips.....we live in a double wide mobile home and very rarely have a problem with breakers. Any suggestions? Do we need to get a heavy duty extension cord, or maybe a 50 ft 30 amp cord or should there be a different power source that it plugs into? Please keep the answer as simple as possible. I'm getting very frustrated! |
Replies:
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 5:37pm
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Check the rating of the circuit breaker for the circuit you're plugging into. I will be very surprised if it is rated for more than 20 amps or so. We experienced the identical thing, but figured out right away that the breaker was not up to the draw of the A/C unit. Everything works fine when plugged into a 30 amp tower at the campground. Trust me..... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 5:38pm
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You cannot run you A/c off of the 110 plug. You can only run it when you plug into a 30 amp at a campground or a larger generator. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 5:40pm
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I don't know what a "regular 110" extension cord is. But you want to run the shortest you can, and use one rated for the load, in this case, either 15 or 20 amps. You need a heavy duty extension cord, a 10/3. The rating on the circuit in your home may be the issue also. Not much to be done about that in a manufactured home.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 5:49pm
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First question is what is the rating of the breaker that is tripping? 15A or 20A? A 15A breaker by itself is very marginal for the AC. What else is on that breaker? Other outlets, appliances, lights? These items will reduce the current available for the camper. A 20A circuit, used by itself, should handle the AC but not much else. A "regular" extension cord is usually #16 AWG or #14 AWG. These actually cause the AC to draw more current, thereby tripping the breaker faster. The minimum extension cord should be a heavy duty #12 AWG cord. #10 wire is better if you can find it. Keep it as short as possible. The ultimate solution would be a properly installed 30 Amp RV outlet wired with #8 wire. You cannot upgrade the existing breaker without rewiring the mobile home. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: ArthroPod
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 6:12pm
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I have to agree with CharlieM. My 177 is 100 ft away from the power source and I use a 10gauge extension cord. No problem running the A/C. Have 20amp breaker. ------------- 177 toad with Ford 150 |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 6:40pm
I do it all the time and have for years with many different campers. The unit in my 179 draws around 13 amps when running... ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Donnat10
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 6:42pm
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Thank you all for the info. I really like this site. everybody is so helpful. Most of the circuits in the breaker box are 15A. The one I was trying to use was a 15 and has other things on it. There are a few slots open on the breaker panel. I am going to see if a 20A can be put in so we can use if for the camper AC only. Thanks so much for helping to clarify all this.  |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 6:56pm
A new 20A breaker can be added, but it must be wired separately with #12AWG minimum, #10AWG preferably. #12 would be allowed by code, but #10 would be better. Voltage drop due to small wire is your enemy. You cannot add a 20A breaker and use it with the existing wiring. Keep us informed. Good luck and happy camping. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 7:44pm
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Also, if you are going to run a new circuit.. run a 30A. Takes up the same space in the box and in the wall.. Then you can use everything in the camper, and the cost difference will be minimal.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 9:16pm
Agreed, but have it wired with #8 AWG and run it as close to the RV as possible. Install an RV 3 pin socket. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 10:44pm
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when the pod is parked I have it plugged into the garage outlet. I use a 10 gauge 50 foot extension cord, it is plugged into a GFCI 20 amp circuit. It runs the AC , TV with no problem I have never tripped a breaker. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 11:15pm
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At home we have run our Pod AC on a 20 amp breaker with a 12 gauge extension cord. (Which we carry with just in case of "whatever") We have only tried this a few times getting things ready but we don't run much of anything other than maybe the fridge this way. One of these days we're going to get ithings wired up properly with a 30 amp breaker and a 30 amp box in case we need it for "whatever". ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 6:51am
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when i returned from my most recent trip i plugged the pod in and turned on the ac (it was smokin hot out!) i used my regular 30 amp cord and also used one of those orange ext cords (probably 16 guage). not only popped the breaker (15 amp), but the orange cord was very hot. I thought i had done this before (used with AC), but apparrently not. never again!!!! I will now always use my 30 amp ext cord, or get a much heavier guage regular ext cord. AC ran fine on the 15 amp breaker with proper cords. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 6:55am
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one other question. is that cord (the orange one that got hot) shot? hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 7:43am
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At our walk thru, this past Friday. The tech told us specifically not to do that. Said that the a/c should only run when plugged into a campground or a generator that was 3500 watts or larger. He didnt talk about wire gauges or anything but did say it could melt the hockey puck cord adapter. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 8:34am
I rest my case re dealers and their knowledge, or lack thereof. Unfortunately dealers often cover their lack of knowledge with incorrect information. A 15 Amp house breaker will run the AC if connected with a proper cord and if the breaker runs nothing else in the house or in the Pod. It's marginal, but it will work. A 20 Amp circuit is better and a 30 Amp circuit is ideal. Wire gauge is critical for operation and safety. A #10 or short #12 is fine. Anything less is a fire risk and potentially damaging to the AC motor. He was right about the hockey puck. The little black plastic pucks are an invitation to trouble. I think the heavier molded yellow rubber ones are better, but they are also rated at 15 Amps. The dog bone adapters should be fine. As a side note there needs to be more awareness of extension cord capabilities. Not all extension cords are equal. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 9:27am
Your cord is probably OK, just inspect it. Any signs of damage like melted or discolored material and it's trash. Otherwise watch for overheating when in use. Your tale is an excellent example of the effects of voltage drop on motors. An AC motor is essentially a constant power device. If the applied voltage drops due to a small wire (high AWG number) cord the motor will draw more current to compensate. The effect is more current through the breaker (pop), fire hazard in the cord (sirens), and potential damage to the motor ($$$). A little understood fact is that a circuit breaker is sized to protect the wire, not the appliance. It is primarily a fire safety device. A 15 Amp breaker will protect #14AWG wire; a 20 Amp breaker protects #12AWG wire. So a #16AWG extension cord on a 15 Amp circuit can actually catch fire without the breaker tripping. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 1:13pm
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Thanks CharlieM. I is really a shame that you get get the right answers out of the Technicians!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 6:27pm
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charlie: no apparrent burns/discoloration but the cord seems or I should say is wrinkly (tuff to describe!!) I have no problem trashing if a potentail hazard. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 6:30pm
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sorry, one other question. when you say potential damage to motor, you mean air conditioner moter? how would you know? when I hooked it up with the big boys (cords) everything worked nicely. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 7:48pm
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I would bet the cord is not a large enough gage. You need a very heavy duty cord for a long run. A regular cord can overheat. Remember, the R-Pod would also be trying to charge your batteries while running the A/C , and add to the amp burden the extension cord and house breaker must carry.
When I use my Honda 2000 genny to run the A/C, I shut off my converter charger breaker in the Pod. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 7:49pm
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Hogone, On the extension cord, always err on the side of safety. If you want to trash it I won't tell if you don't. On the AC motor you really can't tell. The danger is from overheating. If you didn't smell the essence of burning motor you're alright. Camp on! ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 9:43pm
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thanks charlie.....i will never stop. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: henksailor
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 12:54pm
| Both CharlieM and Furpod (great name - with 3 dogs, that might be our R-Pod's nickname!) are right. If you do go up in breaker size, make sure you rewire to handle that capacity. If you plan to put in a 20 amp, you might as well put in a 30 amp since you'd be rewiring anyway. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:26pm
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Agree on many points here. You are ok on a 15 amp circuit at home, just don't use a cheap extension cord. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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