Gary.
Yukon, OK
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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Last weekend I was at a RV park where my 25 foot 30 amp RV cord would not reach the pedestal. I purchased a 30 foot 30 amp RV extension cord from Wal-Mart. I plugged it in, but only turned on one of my roof air conditioners. If I am close enough to plug in the motor home cord I usually run both airs at the same time. My question is if I have to plug in the 30 foot extention cord will it harm my airconditioners if I run both at once? Thanks for any and all answers. Gary. P.S. the wire in the extension is 10 guage.
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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30 amp service usually will not run both A/C's at the same time. With the marginal voltage drop using the extension, it is actually expected that only one A/c would operate.
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MI Director
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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Watch your voltage to see how low it is. If it drops below 108 volts when you turn on both A/C then I would not chance it and only run one.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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It should be fine BUT you should monitor it. And there may be additional voltage drop from where you measure it. If you have a plug-in voltmeter in a recep inside the trailer, there may be another volt or two drop to the ac itself. I see more bad connections from worn out 30A receps at the campground pole than copper loss.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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robsouth
Too Near Atlanta, GA
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Gary. wrote:Last weekend I was at a RV park where my 25 foot 30 amp RV cord would not reach the pedestal.
So, do you normally run both A/C's when your 25 foot 30 Amp RV cord WILL reach the pedestal? If so, the extension cord you bought should work just fine, but I was under the impression that one needed a 50 Amp service to run two A/C's at once. HMMMM.
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eisleyr
Milton, Pa, USA
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All replies are correct. Watch your voltage, if it is above 108 using both AC's, go for it if you want. As to some of the replies about running two AC's I do it too when it gets really hot out side. The way we 'get away' with it is one is a 15K BTU and the other is a 13.5K BTU. The total amp draw is aroung 26 amps after they start up. So - YES you can do it BUT don't plan on running much else on power! I swith my refrig to gas and watch the converter closely.
Rob & Kathy
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tomlang
Los Angeles area
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In order to get run both A/C units on 30 Amps, try to eliminate all other loads on the 120 volt AC system. The 12 volt converter/charger, AC refrigerator operation, microwave, TV, toaster, AC water heater element, any 120 volt lights or appliances all need to be turned off or you will probably trip the circuit breaker.
And keep an eye on the AC voltage, especially when the compressors kick in. My rig has an energy management system that disconnects when below 110 volts in order to prevent compressor damage.
Tom and Lynne
Tom is an Electronics Engineer, Lynne a retired teacher.
2003 Foretravel 38' U295
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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I should have said I run both AC's all the time on 30A but as someone said; don't turn on the microwave or dry your hair. Or make coffee or plug in an iPod. 
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Gary.
Yukon, OK
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Thanks to all for the replies. I have a 30 amp 37 foot 2000 Harney Coach Riata and it has two 13.5 Duo-therm energy efficient air conditioners that will run simultaneously, as long as the voltage is above 108. It also has an EMS and I have not noticed it kicking anything off line. But we are usually not running anything but the refrigerator and the TV when the airs are on. Thanks again.
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Klueck
Georgia
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We just got back from a 4 day trip. It was very hot so we ran both AC's all the time on our 30 amp. We also used an extension cord. I guess we didn't know enough to be concerned but we didn't have any problems. I used the TV and DVR, and various lights inside and even the coffee pot in the morning. We have control panel that "sheds" if the voltage is low but I didn't notice this happening. Should we have been monitoring the voltage or does the panel that "sheds" do that for us? We don't want to cause any damage.
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