My question---Will my 30 amp service in our Sundance 5er power our A/C, electric hot water and fridge at the same time, plus let's say my daughter runs a hair dryer when all this is going? I have an opinion but would like info from the experts here.

Thanks,
Larry

You can calculate this. Read the label on each appliance looking for volts (120v) and either watts (w) or amps (a). Use the formula:
a=w/v. Now add up all the amps you will be using at the same time and if it starts coming close to 30 you're getting close to popping the breaker!

For example, your hairdryer label will probably say 120v  and 1500w, hence this is 1500/120=12.5a. If the label gives you an amps number, like maybe you hot water (which is not on all the time) just add those up.

In 30AMP we practice the two big appliance rule, only two big appliances at a time. We find that we can run only two of A/C (one), electric hot water heater, toaster, hair dryer, coffee pot, electric space heater, at once. The fridge and small stuff like computers seem to be smaller loads that can stay on. We haven't tripped the breaker with these rules, except in parks where the 30AMP is very weak and drops below 110 volts. In those parks we only let one big appliance run, just like on 20AMP.

bjoyce, We are not having a problem right now. When we checked in to this small park, we were given a speach about not using our hot water on electric because it would trip the breaker. I am betting the electric here is borderline. We have never had a problem running whatever we wanted to. Just thought I would get some other input from experience. Thanks

Once in the while we will trip a 30AMP main but like others have said we try to limit use to one or two heavy draw appliances at a time.

A/C & fridge plus water heater (along with all of the other low draw stuff like TV, satellite box, dvd, laptop...etc) is OK to use at the sametime. Add in the washer or crockpot or microwave or a hairdryer and poof there goes the breaker.....

It's not fun going out in the cold dark night to turn the breaker back on.

We were once at a 30amp park where the electric was so bad only our lights would work. No TV, no A/C... Even the lights were kind of dim. Once everyone went to bed we were able to use the TV.

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 23rd of March 2009 01:52:53 PM

Remember the lower the voltage the higher the AMPS...Check that power in when you get to the park and be sure you have at least 110 and figure your AMPS from that. You will have some voltage drop over your power cord so you should check the inside Volts also. Speedy

All good comments. Let me be a "little" radical and suggest the following. Put in a Progressive hardwired electrical management system. This will protect you from high/low voltage, and surges. Put in the remote display along with it....this provides you the ability to monitor the voltage and amperage on each "leg" of service from inside your RV. You will ALWAYS know what you are using. You will learn real fast what you can and can not use together. And you will learn to appreciate the effect of volage on current used by observing it in real time. As a "bonus" you get total electrical protection for your rig. The hardwired ones are always the ones I recommend, even though they have to be installed. The benefit that makes this worth the trouble is the remote display. Just something to consider. SInce all units really should have surge protection (at a minimum) this kill "many birds" with one stone.....

Jack is such a rad dude, isn't he? You can change rad to right too. You would do yourself and your rig real good to install a surge protector. Here's a nifty idea for installing a hard-wired unt in a a "portable" manner. In addition, the hardwire models are a lot cheaper than the portable ones. Now this is rad!



For more details and all the credits (it's NOT my idea - though I wished it was) visit this irv2 thread, posting number 19.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?p=420596