Wrascal
Senior Member
We purchased our camper just before my wife decided she was ready to move back home (closer to the kids/grandkids). During our subsequent move home it became apparent that we couldn't continue to live in the place we were vacating (first no beds/ then no refridgerator). At this point our new camper was just sitting in the yard. BRIGHT! moment came when I realized ... why pay for a motel when we had a portable one.
Well, it was still totally untested, and now was a great opportunity to check it out. First up, if we were to sleep in it, we'd need Air Conditioning, and further down the road, a fridge.
My only AC source was an outside outlet, limited to 15A (thru a ground fault) outlet. I only had a heavy, 100 foot extension cord (necessary since I couldn't park close enough to use the original power cord). As I was very concerned that my 30 amp trailer would be connected this way I proceeded carefully.
I hooked it up using this cord ... and switched on the AC. Success! Then, overly concerned about the amps I was pulling, I fired up the fridge on propane. It came alive... and we were all set. I felt the extension cord repeatedly for heat yet it always felt fine. So far, all is well.
After my move, I went searching for a 50 foot, 30 amp extension cord; other than an RV 30 amp, with appropriate plugs/jacks, I was stymied. I couldn't even find a 20 amp 50 footer with 110V plug/jacks. I eventually settled on a Chinese built 10-3 spec'd, 15 amp , 110V extension cord. This thing was huge, as big around as my thumb, and appeared to be a quality cord.
NOW using this new cord, I slowly got back to trial and error. Knowing that the fridge worked on propane, I wanted to test it on AC power. I ERRORONESLY concluded that it didn't work on AC (due to the fact that it was absolutely QUIET in this operation). Without thinking, I set the air conditioner on for the night and left it. The next morning I found that both the fridge and trailer were cool. Yahoo! all was well thru my yet again limited outside outlet and a simple 15 amp extension cord.
Several days later, without thinking, I plugged in my pressure washer - thru another outlet tied to the same circuit - and started cleaning the exterior of my house. About 60 min. later I tripped the now 20 Amp main supply fuse. I had, without thinking, finally exceeded the limits of my setup. Turns out that my wife had also turned on a hair dryer, again plugged into the same GFI circuit. That was all she wrote!
Arm chair quarterbacking all this, I guess that my 30A trailer has a large reserve built in (for plasma TV, microwave, toaster, wife hair dryer, etc) otherwise a 15A extension cord is more than adequate if used with considerations to your total draw.
In summary (vodka fueled at this point), use your amps carefully and you could get by with much less than is "advised".
Well, it was still totally untested, and now was a great opportunity to check it out. First up, if we were to sleep in it, we'd need Air Conditioning, and further down the road, a fridge.
My only AC source was an outside outlet, limited to 15A (thru a ground fault) outlet. I only had a heavy, 100 foot extension cord (necessary since I couldn't park close enough to use the original power cord). As I was very concerned that my 30 amp trailer would be connected this way I proceeded carefully.
I hooked it up using this cord ... and switched on the AC. Success! Then, overly concerned about the amps I was pulling, I fired up the fridge on propane. It came alive... and we were all set. I felt the extension cord repeatedly for heat yet it always felt fine. So far, all is well.
After my move, I went searching for a 50 foot, 30 amp extension cord; other than an RV 30 amp, with appropriate plugs/jacks, I was stymied. I couldn't even find a 20 amp 50 footer with 110V plug/jacks. I eventually settled on a Chinese built 10-3 spec'd, 15 amp , 110V extension cord. This thing was huge, as big around as my thumb, and appeared to be a quality cord.
NOW using this new cord, I slowly got back to trial and error. Knowing that the fridge worked on propane, I wanted to test it on AC power. I ERRORONESLY concluded that it didn't work on AC (due to the fact that it was absolutely QUIET in this operation). Without thinking, I set the air conditioner on for the night and left it. The next morning I found that both the fridge and trailer were cool. Yahoo! all was well thru my yet again limited outside outlet and a simple 15 amp extension cord.
Several days later, without thinking, I plugged in my pressure washer - thru another outlet tied to the same circuit - and started cleaning the exterior of my house. About 60 min. later I tripped the now 20 Amp main supply fuse. I had, without thinking, finally exceeded the limits of my setup. Turns out that my wife had also turned on a hair dryer, again plugged into the same GFI circuit. That was all she wrote!
Arm chair quarterbacking all this, I guess that my 30A trailer has a large reserve built in (for plasma TV, microwave, toaster, wife hair dryer, etc) otherwise a 15A extension cord is more than adequate if used with considerations to your total draw.
In summary (vodka fueled at this point), use your amps carefully and you could get by with much less than is "advised".
Last edited:
