💪 How to Run 2 AC Units at a 30 Amp Campsite // No Easy Start Needed!
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- #easystart #microair #2acunitson30amps
💪 DIY: Do you really need an Micro-Air Easy Start? Dave figures out a way to run 2 (two) 15000 BTU AC units on the RV while at a 30 Amp Campsite and still have plenty of amperage left over to run other small appliances and lights. The whole project was less than $100.
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We are Dave and Karen and decided to sell our home in Georgia in 2017 to live full time in an RV to travel across America to see the beauty of our country and meet awesome people along the way.
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RV Hauler: 2009 Volvo 780 HDT; D-16; Engine tuned to 535hp; Singled out with a 2.64 rear end ratio; I-Shift transmission
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Well now, this changes everything.
I’m not electrically smart, but this I think I could do no problem.
Thanks!
Has worked very well for us multiple times.
Dave I am impressed. Best idea for this common problem. Thank so much. You are not afraid to think out of the box. Again...............
Thanks Sig. Where there's a will, there's a way. :)
Thank you Dave for coming up with a safe reliable fix for 30 Amp campsites. I just completed my install and it works perfectly. I had to order everything online because nobody carried 20 Amp supplies. I got the 20 Amp outlet with a waterproofed cap that I installed in the skirting, I got the selector switch that you recommended and installed that near my control panel. I wired the selector switch position 1 for 1 cord when on 50 Amp and position 2 for 2 cords, 30 & 20 Amp. I got a 20 Amp 50' cord just to make sure I had enough cord for most situations. I also got a 20 Amp to 15 Amp reducer plug just in case the 20 Amp receptical was not a Nema receptical.
Awesome. I am so glad it is working out for you. We have used it multiple times even when we have 50 amps just to have plenty of amps left to power appliances, smoker, etc. at the same time.
Where can I purchase that selector switch?
it's in the video description
I was trying to figure this out for myself just the other day and had a few ideas. Watched your video today and you answered all my questions. Thanks so much. Now for my next project...a power management system similar to yours
Glad I could help! It has been working well for us.
This one has to be worth at least 3 beers for the wire tracing,.2 beers for the switch installation, and 3 for the power socket and wiring. No bloody skull? 2 beer bonus.Great job Dave!
No bloody skull...what's up with that? LOL. I like the bonus beer.
Very nice solution for this project. That took some patients to figure the wiring out and the addition of the plug and switch. That had to be at the least a 6 pack. Thanks for that video. I always love your DIY projects.
Thanks Sweetlife, appreciate you watching and commenting.
I had 2700 watts of solar panels installed on the top of my Rv. I use this so I always have 50amp power. Bad news I do not have enough power to run the AC all night. I think people with newer solar systems are able you run 30/50 amp with there solar at the same time but I cannot due to the fact that I have a old system. Thank you for sharing switch, and the install.
I'd be surprised if even the newer solar systems would run AC all night long. But maybe. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Great video guys. Y’all always come up with some great ideas
Thanks for watching Jim.
Dave’s the man ! Excellent process for splitting that off.
Thanks Clarke. Always thinking.
Apparently that's what I need to do. I have 2 Yamaha generators I'm hooked up to right now at my house providing 30 amp service and I have two ACs on my trailer with easy starts and it keeps kicking one of them offl if not both of them but the fans are still running. Just subscribed 👍🇺🇲
Hi. Thanks for subscribing. We just boondocked for several days with 30 amp post and it worked great.
excellent job explaining this difficult config
Thanks... even Karen understood it. :)
Very good job explaining...
You two are geniuses!!!
Ah thanks Timothy. My mind won't shut down. Always trying to solve problems. Thanks for watching.
Excellent and detailed video Dave. Give Karen a thumbs up for the pictures. I have looked at that switch to use as a transfer switch if I add a residential refrigerator.
Good idea. Hope it works out for you. We're glad we did it. Karen will be happy someone liked her slides...thanks.
Thanks Guys great job safe travels pretty smart fella 👍🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks Ronnie.
well I actually learn something on here today, thanks, I do have questions that I asked in some other question down below, cant tell u that I ever read all of them b4 other then this time, great job, I'm in subscribed
Glad it helped. Thanks for subscribing.
Well done.
Thank you. We have used it several times and it works great.
That's pretty cool, good job Dave
Thanks for watching Denny.
Hi! Dave & Karen! i guess this device is coming with an electical drawing to let you know how to make all the connections properly, right?
Thanks so much ! Awesome how you manage and shift easily from mechanics to electrical works!
No...no instructions. It can be used for different applications. It's just a selector switch. Not that hard, really.
You only need to switch the hot. The neutrals in the ground are tied together all the way through the entire coach in both of your wiring situations. You could get by with a single two position switch
Probably, but I'd rather go with what I got.
@@WattsOnWheels yeah no harm in the way you have it at all, just and FYI for people
Also I saw people asking in other comments if this would overload the pedestal and the answer is no. If there are two separate breakers a 30 and 20, this is perfectly fine to do
You guys are wicked smaaaht!
Great tips and Great video (excellent slides too)!
Thanks so much. My wife will appreciate the comment about the slides.
Great idea!
Glad you think so! Thanks
Thanks god bless
Thank you too
Awesome solution! Thank you!
You're welcome! Hope it was helpful.
Dave first drink the 8 beers you are owed!!! You could make this totally automatic with one slight downside. wire the relay coil to the 120v 15amp plug you installed on the side of the camper, the relay will switch on and divert the source power for the AC when ever you have the cord plugged into the 15 amp power. But if for some reason you loose power then the ac will think it's back on 50amp and trip the breaker...you could install a manual cut off switch but then it would defeat the automatic relay...Bob
That's why we have 2 settings....thus a manual cut off (selector switch)
Damn thats slick
Thanks Mr. Jayyman, it has worked well multiple times.
Genius!!!!
Thanks!
I am going to try this. Have you had any issues since you did this ?
None...has been a great advantage several times.
Great video. At 12:30 on your video. What and how did you wire the 20amp circuit breaker with the red dot 🔴 on it? Do you have a link to purchase from Amazon also? Thanks 🙏
I have added the circuit breaker to our Amazon store. The conduit and 4x4 junction box was purchased from Home Depot. I drilled the hole for the circuit breaker (red button) in the junction box and then installed the circuit breaker inside the junction box.
@@WattsOnWheels thanks 🙏 I appreciate it.
Definitely looking at doing this. Great video.
Works for us. Hope it works well for you. Thanks for watching Hard Truth.
OL DAVE IS SMARTER THAN HE LOOKS!!! LMAO... I REALLY LIKE U2’s VIDEOS! I FOUND U FROM STANS INTERVIEW aka(SASNAK) @ QUARTZITE THIS YEAR. THANK U BOTH FOR SHARING UR LIVES WITH US... THE GOOD & THE BAD!!! SOME UA-camRS JUST SHOW RAINBOWS & UNICORNS 😳
Stan is a really cool guy. Thanks for checking us out from his videos. We watched YT for a long time before doing this lifestyle and appreciated the "real" stuff because it's not all fun and games. Glad you appreciate that.
We know Dave earns beers based on the amount of blood he loses when he gets cut. We also know that beer rations are automatically doubled for any head wound Dave receives. Here's my question: If Dave gets electrocuted, how many beers is that worth? Thanks in advance for your answer. Please have a happy and safe day.
If I get electrocuted, just drop me off at the closest brewery. LOL
Any amount of beers he wants
Aw come on...just for sharing info? Well, if we were around a fire pit talking about it, there would be beer involved too. LOL
Depends on how big the generator is as to weather you need a soft start or not, correct? And with all the sweating and odd positions I would say 8 beers are required.
Yes, it depends on how big your generator is. A Smart Start would help any of them for a surge. 8 beers sounds about right. :)
Hey Dave, wonderful video. Can you share the part number and nomenclature for the switch and where to order it.
Sure, it's in our Amazon store: www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6TEZKO?ref=exp_wattsonwheels_dp_vv_d
*Brilliant!!* Thank you for teaching us how to make such a wonderful solution!!!
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.
For the push button breaker, its the black wire that is going to the breaker?
Yes, that's right.
Wha'cha'DIYin' now Dave? Keepin the cheese dip cold! When are you installing the Cloaking Device? That Dave.. he's a peach!!
Gotta keep the cheese dip cold! The cloaking device is on back order. :)
@@WattsOnWheels isn't that the way it goes!! Keep the cheese dip moving along safely my friends!
Any part number available for the isolation switch and the receiver receptacle you added to the side of your camper. Where did you purchase this. Thanks this is an awesome idea.
Hi Chris...you can get them from our Amazon store (very reasonable) www.amazon.com/shop/wattsonwheels?listId=3K4MB2J93D37O
Excellent video, thanks. Can you please explain the circuit breaker from the plug to the switch. You have 3 wires coming from the plug...black goes to the circuit breaker....where are you connecting neutral and ground? You kind of breezed over that :-) Thanks.
It's self-explanatory, if the neutral and ground don't go to the circuit breaker then they continue on. Messing around with 120 or 240 volts AC isn't for the inexperienced and/or unskilled. It really is one of those things you shouldn't play with if you don't know what you're doing. You could burn something down or kill yourself or someone else.
Sorry, not sure which plug you are referring to. Can you give me the time on the video so I can see exactly what you are inquiring about?
@@WattsOnWheels Thanks. At 12:30 in the video, there is the 'red button' which is the circuit breaker. As Killer2600 explained, the ground and neutral must not go to the circuit breaker, only the black. Can you provide the parts or links for the circuit breaker. Thanks.
@@WattsOnWheels I believe Val is referring to the blue box with the red dot at 12:30
Great video! I have a question, most of the state parks that have a 30 amp breaker and a 120 volt gfi receptacle, does that make any difference? Your video shows both a gfi and a regular receptacle. And do I still need a soft start system?
Does not matter if it's GFI or not. No, you don't need a soft start system...that just helps when using a generator when you are boondocking.
@@WattsOnWheelsThanks, I’m presently camping at a State Park in south Fla. with only 30 amps. I have a Georgetown G5 36 foot with two ac heat pumps, I wasn’t able to wire it with a switch as I’m not at home, but wired it straight from the gfi to the wires to the ac, every time I plug it into the gfi it trips any help would be appreciated
Thanks again! Found my problem, your video helped save my vacation! Have a good one!
Excellent video! I’m sure it worked very well. Technically, one point. When set up in the 30 amp shore and switch position 2, you have half the amount of power of a 50 amp shore connection. A 50 amp has 120/240 volts, a 30 and 20a only have 120 volts.
If I have 50 amps, I don't need to use it. Regardless, I'm only isolating the one AC unit and that's all. I'm not dividing anything or splitting off two legs.
@@WattsOnWheels I wasn’t saying you were doing anything wrong. The way you said you would now have 50 amps could make some think it would be the same amount of power as a 50 amp connection, when it is not. Just clarifying for your viewers. Respectfully, Kevin
Not understanding you. How does dividing a 30 amp connection into 2 equate to half of 50 which is 25?
@@killer2600 The standard 2 pole 50 amp RV connection actually is 120/240 volts. A single pole 30 amp is only 120 volts. So single pole 30x120 is 3600 watts. And 2 pole is (2@50) 100x120 is 12000 watts. Does this help?
@@KevinCoop1 No it doesn't help because we're not dealing with a 50A RV connection or pedestal. So I don't understand it's relevance here. A 30A connection is good for 30A even if half of 50A is 25A.
do you have ant order information for the switch ? volts/amps , part numbers/ model numbers
Yes it's the video description: www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6TEZKO?ref=exp_wattsonwheels_dp_vv_d
Dave 6 beers and a shot of jack !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir
You got it buddy....I'm on it. thanks for watching.
The RV power pedestal is fed from a distribution source......which has a breaker as well....if the Max power expected to be used at the pedestal was 30 Amp it may be a 30 Amp breaker....so running both ac units might cause a trip at that upstream point. A 30 breaker should carry 30 Amps...and trip as it goes above 30.....so you may get by....but if running fridge, toaster, more items...you may hit the limit and trip that upstream breaker....which may not be easily accessible to you......so where the pedestal 30 a circuit would trip...the trip issue just moves upstream and makes you go to the office to get reset. Maybe the circuit to the pedestal is larger than 30...but why would it be ? Just a thought.
That's possible, but haven't had that problem yet.
So from a sheet metal guy, if there's a 30 amp and 20 amp would that not being a 50 amp service at the post then, or dose the 30 amp get reduced to supply the 20 amp service, and a 50 amp service would be a 50 amps with more volts to compensate a 50 amp service, like I had mention I only know that when I flick a switch the light turns on and this shit will kill one to easy for dummies' thanks for your time
Does one of those double splitter adapters not work for you? I carry a double 30 amp male plug to female 50amp, which allows me to hook up to 2 30 amp plugs if they are available, and a 15 amp plug adapter to use on one of the 30 amp plugs if its just a 30amp/20amp box.
Ran into a situation a couple of times when there was only "30 amp service" available...it helps to have options available for powering your rig safely.
But a lot of those with the double adapters it's still 30 amps on the same leg so still only drawing 30 amps. We have found that most 30 amp posts only have one 30 amp plug. We have used the adapters when the situation works out right. It's not so much the pull, it's the power management system in the RV. The wide bone adapters end up tripping the 20 amp GFI outlet.
My question is does the 30 amp and 15/20amp receptacles come from the same source or are they separate??
They are separate. 30 amp plugs into the 30 amp plug on the pedestal and the 20 amp plugs into a regular 120 volt /20 amp receptacle on the pedestal.
It'd be nice if an electrician with a lot of campground pedestal experience would chime in on this. I question how many amps the pedestal actually supports and if it's being overloaded by this "Like a 50 amp" setup. If the pedestal was equipped to support 50 amps, it would stand to reason that they would have installed a 50A plug. Granted you are being mindful and only expecting to go over 30A of draw slightly and for a short amount of time; a great many viewers of this video see this as a way to turn 30A of power into 50A by just hooking up an extra cord and running everything split between the two.
The pedestal should be equipped with two independent circuits (one being a 30 amp circuit and the other a 20 amp circuit). Therefore, you would not be overloading anything. The 20 amp GFIC residential outlet on the pedestal can be used in addition to the 30 Amp outlet for a smoker, grill, outdoor lights, fan, etc. People do not shut the 30 Amp off when cooking outside with the 20 Amp outlet. They can be used at the same time. The AC unit draws 15 amps from the 20 Amp outlet, so no problem. The RV draws no more than 30 amps on the 30 Amp outlet, so no problem. Breakers will trip if overloaded, so no problem. There's your fail safe.
@@WattsOnWheels If the pedestal has 50A service then there's little reason to not have a 50A plug on it. I'm still interested to hear a campground experienced electricians perspective on this and the RV manufacturers opinion on why they haven't built this in to the RV itself.
All looks great but if pole is 30amp dont the 110 run off that 30amp? Fantastic graphics also!!
Noticed in another video you have glad hands on your trailer. Do you have air brakes on your trailer. If so how did that happen??
Some times they are tied together, but the circuit is tied in before the 30 amp on the pole, thus it is separate from the 30 amp breaker. It becomes an independent 20 amp circuit.
I added the air brakes to the RV.... ua-cam.com/video/iCH1mUa_dQA/v-deo.html
I already have selector switch in my current system?
Ok
What about when I run gen Set for both ac?
Must have huge generator. Can you clarify question.
Hi guys...that's interesting 🤔...we have the same gen you have and the easy start...can you do the same switch for the gen ??...will that work??..will it help the gen ?..still working on the truck to get it ready to go..you guys stay safe ...take care..J&A
I don't think it would make any difference for the generator. Hope you get the truck done soon.
@@WattsOnWheels thank you...we do too..hope to have it done by December
👍
Thanks for watching.
hi im watching your video from a year ago im aready subscribed. my question to you is.................. if i hit the thumbs up button does it help you or not do anything . im just curious im trying to get caught up here binging still enjoying your videos here thanks a lot and be safe.
Yes it will definitely help. And comments help even more. Thanks for asking and binging. :)
Dave, what's the switch part number?
www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6TEZKO/?ref=exp_wattsonwheels_dp_vv_d
@@WattsOnWheels Thanks Guys. More beer!
Where did you find the 20 amp male plug you mounted to the exterior part of the rv?
You can find it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B000NUYZOE?tag=onamzwattsonw-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=B000NUYZOE&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3K4MB2J93D37O&th=1
Smart Thinking, but also if on 50 amps you could isolate still and give you 70 amps
When your rig is plugged into a 50amp plug you really have 100amp total. 50amp provided on each hot leg of the plug. Don't know why the industry calls it 50amp🤷♂️ But that is why when you only have a 30amp service available it's such a big deal.
No, because you would be trying to pump 20 extra amps into an already hot circuit. You'd probably end up with a fireball.
Dave could you tell me what gauge wire you used was that a 12 or a 14 gauge I have an older RV with a 30 amp
Thanks
Richard
I used 12 THHN gauge wire.
Hey Dave Great Video. For the Switch, did you just use a 20amp changeover Switch or should I use a higher one like a 63?
The higher the amp the better. I used a 30.
@@WattsOnWheels k thanks. Just a idea you should think on putting on some affiliate amazon links in your video's for easy reference and if someone buys thru those link you can make little. It's not a lot but it's atleast something. Thanks again
What gauge green/black/white wire do i buy?
I have a 30 amp MH that has a power management system that sheds the front AC when over 30a is detected.
12 gauge stranded THHN available at HDepot is what I used.
And you Y off to the even numbers on the switch? I bought the switch in your Amazaon store.
What do you mean that the generator won’t handle the startups? I don’t have the easy starts on my ac’s and I’m counting on both of my ac’s being able to run on my generator. Am I in for an unpleasant surprise?
There is a power surge from the AC units and most generators 5000kw or less cannot handle that surge from 2 units at once without the Easy Start as it dampens the surge. Can cause generator to default and shut down or stops producing power when the generators circuit breaker trips. It can handle one with no problem. Our 7000kw can run them both as long as they are not started at the same time or they come back on at the same time. We will wait 10 minutes before starting the second AC unit. With the Easy Starts it doesn't matter...less surge.
No easy starts on a/c s just have an onboard Onan generator
We removed the original generator that was in the front of the RV and put the battery bank in it's place so we could move the Honda generator around for other things.
Do you have the extra cord on a surge protector?
No, we don't. Would probably would be a good idea.
Why not just use the Camco 55025 power cord adapter????
You can but you're drawing off the same circuit so you are exceeding the 30 amps and trip a breaker.
@@WattsOnWheels wish you were closer to me so you could help me convert mine I have 2 ac and only 30amp service so to split them would be awesome
How often when traveling do you run into campgrounds that only have 30 amps also if you have a generator in your RV how big should it be to handle 2 AC units refrig W/H etc to bondock or when driving
Probably 1 out of 4. I'd recommend no less than 5500 generator. We have a 7000 and it works good (and quiet).
@@WattsOnWheels thanks
Go idea
Thanks John.
Couldn’t you just bought a Power Cord Adapter Y Split 50 amp Female to (1) 30 amp - (1) 15 amp Male? They are just $35.00.
Ewww interesting!
They trip the 20 amp GFI plug.
Please don’t do this! 1) This is a direct violation of the National Electric Code, per code you are only allowed one electrical feed to an rv, your idea violates this. 2) Your assumption that there are separate feeds to a power pedestal for the 30 amp circuit and the 20 amp circuit is incorrect. A 30 amp pedestal typically has one feed consisting of 10 gage wire, the 20 amp receptacle is typically paralleled to the 30 amp circuit. Your idea could potentially overload the park circuit.
Thanks for the info. Good to know!
so the 30 amp is reduced then, when lets say using a 30amp and a 20amp at the same time, or is it actually 50 amp service at the post, when it say 30amp service, lets say with less voltage then a 50amp service by itself
👍😎🇺🇸😀
Thanks for watching and the thumbs up Rob